Nebraska
Concealed carry: no provision for licensing private individuals to carry concealed
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: no preemption act, localities may pass their own gun laws
Vehicle carry and transportation: loaded handguns may be carried in plain view or stored in trunk,
unloaded handguns may be transported in a locked glove compartment -- they may not be carried in a
concealed manner (see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: None.
Attorney General�s Office
P.O. Box 98920
Lincoln, NE 68509-8920
(402) 471-2682
The absence of a statutory preemption act should warn travelers that some localities, especially urban areas, may
regulate firearms carry stricter than state law. Nebraska requires that all loaded handguns carried in a vehicle be in
plain view or cased and stored safely in the trunk. Handguns which are unloaded may be carried in a locked glove
compartment. However, handguns in an unlocked glove compartment as well as those under a seat are considered
concealed because they fit the statutory definition of being hidden from view and readily accessible.
Concealed carry of firearms is prohibited either in a vehicle or while on foot. Nebraska has no provision for allowing
private citizens to obtain a license to carry concealed. Thus, travelers with out-of-state licenses will receive no
reciprocity for their permits in Nebraska. However, affirmative defenses to the charge of carrying concealed do
exist. A traveler who can prove the necessity of carry for the purpose of self-defense may successfully defend
against a conviction.
Nevada
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a 'shall issue' basis, no reciprocity for nonresidents with carry
permits from their home states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption act, laws mostly uniform throughout state.
localities prohibited from enacting gun ordinances since 1989
Vehicle carry and transportation: rifles and shotguns carried in a vehicle must be unloaded handguns
may be carried openly or in the glove compartment but should be unloaded (see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma,
Utah.
Attorney General�s Office
198 South Carson
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-4170
Vehicle carry of firearms in the passenger compartment is permitted so long as the firearms are unloaded and not
concealed. "Unloaded" in Nevada is defined as a firearm that has no live cartridge in the firing chamber. Magazines
for firearms may indeed be loaded without the firearm being considered "loaded" in the legal sense. Therefore, one
may carry a handgun with a loaded magazine as long as no live round is actually "in" the chamber. Glove
compartment carry of a handgun is permissible in this regard. However, a handgun carried beneath the seat or
under one's clothing is considered concealed and thus illegal.
Nevada issues concealed carry licenses through the sheriff of the county where the applicant resides. Nevada
currently has no provision for granting reciprocity to non-residents with concealed carry permits from their home
states. Open carry of firearms is generally permitted. However, persons are prohibited from exhibiting a firearm in
a rude or threatening manner in a public setting. A holstered weapon is generally considered to fall outside this
prohibited category.
Nevada has a preemption act which has prohibited localities since 1989 from enacting laws regulating firearm carry,
ownership, transfer and possession. This prevents the state's urban areas from regulating firearms more strictly
than Nevada's unincorporated areas.
New Hampshire
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis. Reciprocity is available for non-residents
with carry permits from certain in other states, however, non-residents may also apply for in-state carry
permits if they so choose
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: no preemption act, localities may pass their own laws but usually do not
Vehicle carry and transportation no handguns may be carried openly in a vehicle�s passenger
compartment if they are unloaded, rifles and shotguns must be unloaded while being transported in a
vehicle
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
33 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301-6397
(603) 271-3658
Vehicle carry of any firearm is limited to one which is unloaded. Rifles, shotguns and handguns may be carried
openly in a vehicle or locked in the trunk or vehicle storage compartment. Handguns may be carried openly on
one's person while in a vehicle as long as the weapons are unloaded. Handguns, rifles and shotguns may be carried
in a loaded condition while one is on foot and engaged in a lawful activity.
Concealed carry of loaded firearms in a vehicle or elsewhere requires the possession of a recognized carry permit.
New Hampshire offers reciprocity to nonresidents with carry permits from states which recognize New Hampshire
permits. Non-residents may also apply to the director of the state police for a non-resident carry permit. Such
licenses are valid for four years and cost $20.00.
Interestingly, New Hampshire is one of the few states which does not have a firearm law preemption act. Even
though this condition would suggest that a traveler could face a myriad of conflicting local gun laws, New Hampshire
cities have not devolved into such action.
New Jersey
Concealed carry: license required issued by local police chief, valid throughout state (issuance of these
licenses is highly discretionary), no reciprocity for non-residents
Handgun ownership: restricted, firearms identification card required
Firearm law uniformity: firearm laws are uniformly strict throughout the state
Vehicle carry and transportation: firearms may not be carried in a vehicle without a firearm
identification card (see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wyoming.
Attorney General�s Office
25 Market Street, CN 080
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 984-9579
Travelers to New Jersey should be prepared for highly restrictive laws regarding the carry and ownership of
firearms. Handgun, rifle and shotgun possession requires a firearm identification card. This card is also required for
vehicle transport of firearms. Strict exceptions (home to place of repair, etc.) exist which allow the transport of
unloaded and securely cased firearms in a vehicle's trunk without a card. However, general transport within the
state is prohibited. Travelers who are not attending a recognized shooting event or engaged in lawful hunting
should leave all firearms at home unless they are engaged in a through.
Open or concealed carry of a firearm on one's person without a license to carry is strictly prohibited. New Jersey,
unlike most other states, does not differentiate between open or concealed carry. Both methods of personal carry
are prohibited unless one is engaged in a hunting related activity in an area officially sanctioned for such pursuit.
Issuance of licenses to carry concealed is permitted for New Jersey residents through application to their local chief
of police. However, such licenses are granted on a highly discretionary basis with no reciprocity available for
non-residents with carry permits from their home states. Citizens have found it almost impossible to obtain one
absent a "compelling" need.
New Mexico
Concealed carry: no licensing procedure available for private citizens
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns, rifles and shotguns may be carried in a loaded and
concealed condition in a private automobile for self-protection
States that Recognize this State's Permit: None.
Attorney General�s Office
Post Office Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508
(505) 827-6000
The necessity of firearms ownership is historically well-established and, for the most part, unrestricted. Possession
of rifles, shotguns and handguns is generally unregulated. Open carry of firearms is permitted without the need for
any special license or permit.
Travelers may carry loaded firearms in the passenger compartment of their vehicles in a concealed condition if such
firearms are to be used for personal protection purposes. This is an exception to the general statutory rule which
prohibits the carry of concealed deadly weapons. New Mexico is unique in that no statutory provision exists which
allows for the licensing of individuals to carry concealed firearms. However, with the legal exception for vehicle
carry, much of the hardship of such an omission goes unnoticed.
New York
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a highly discretionary basis; no reciprocity for non-residents with
carry permits from their home states
Handgun ownership: restricted, permit required for mere possession in one's house
Firearm law uniformity: some local regulation; however, New York City has its own set of very
stringent laws, travelers should beware
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns may not be carried by anyone not possessing a New York
license to carry (however, transport may be effected if the handgun is securely locked in trunk and
traveler makes no substantial stops in New York state)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
(212) 416-8519
Registration of firearms have been well-established for decades. Mere possession of a handgun by a New York
resident, even in one's own home, requires a New York license. Non-residents visiting the state must also have a
license to possess. This makes any kind of vehicle carry for personal protection almost impossible. However,
travelers wishing to transport their handgun(s) through the state may do so if the handgun is securely locked in the
vehicle trunk or storage compartment, and the traveler's ultimate destination is a state where unlicensed
possession is permitted. Any extended stops in New York, however, would render the "through" nature of a trip
void and thus subject the traveler to prosecution for possessing a handgun without a license.
Open or concealed carry of any weapon without a New York license is strictly prohibited. Licenses to carry
concealed are granted on a discretionary basis to citizens of New York. Reciprocity for non-residents with licenses
from other states is statutorily non-existent. The possession of any weapon in the Big Apple without a New York
City license is strictly prohibited.
North Carolina
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis, no reciprocity available for non-residents
with carry permits from certain other states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: loaded rifles and shotguns in a vehicle should be carried in plain view
if in passenger compartment, loaded handguns may be carried openly in vehicle passenger
compartment but may not be concealed on or about one's person
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma,
Utah.
Attorney General�s Office
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602-0629
(919) 716-6400
The state's firearm laws reflect the conservative political atmosphere evident throughout much of the South. Gun
owners will experience little inconvenience traveling through North Carolina.
Vehicle carry of loaded firearms is limited to those weapons that are in plain view. Rifles and shotguns may be
carried in a gun rack or other commercially available sling if they remain visible from outside the vehicle. Of course,
cased transport in the vehicle�s trunk or storage compartment is also acceptable. Handguns may be carried in the
vehicle's passenger compartment if the weapons are in plain view. A pistol placed in a hip holster or on the
vehicle's dash is acceptable. However, state courts have held that the slightest concealment of a handgun while in
the vehicle�s passenger compartment could constitute carrying a concealed weapon. Such a charge is a
misdemeanor for the first time offender.
North Carolina grants concealed carry permits to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. Non-residents with
carry permits issued by their home states are not accorded reciprocity for their out-of-state licenses. Travelers may
carry firearms openly while on foot provided they are not intending to engage in malicious or otherwise illegal
activity. Any concealed carry, however, is limited to residents possessing North Carolina concealed carry licenses.
North Dakota
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis, reciprocity available for non-residents with
carry permits from certain other states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns must be unloaded and may be carried openly in a belt
holster during daytime hours or hidden from view if locked securely in the trunk or storage
compartment
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wyoming.
Attorney General�s Office
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0040
(701) 328-2210
Vehicle carry of firearms in the passenger compartment is permitted so long as the firearms are unloaded and in
plain view. An unloaded handgun carried in a belt holster is legal during daytime hours. During hours of darkness,
however, all handguns carried in a vehicle must be unloaded and securely cased. Unfortunately, glove compartment
carry of a loaded or unloaded handgun is illegal. If the firearm is hidden from view, it must be securely locked in the
trunk or storage compartment. This negates any possibility of concealment while in the passenger compartment.
North Dakota law also forbids open or concealed carry of firearms at public gatherings or in public parks where
firearm activity is restricted. Travelers should be aware of this if they intend to carry a firearm openly. Doing so
while engaged in a legitimate firearm-related activity is perfectly within the law. However, carry at a sporting event,
political debate or other such activity is prohibited.
North Dakota recently added a reciprocity provision to its right to carry statute which provides for recognition of
any out-of-state carry permit issued by a state that, in turn, recognizes North Dakota permits. Nonresident
permittees must abide by the carry restrictions mandated by North Dakota law if they intend on carrying concealed
while in the state.
Ohio
Concealed carry: no provision for concealed carry, however, certain affirmative defenses to a charge of carrying
concealed may be pled in court
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: no preemption act, firearm laws subject to local ordinance
Vehicle carry and transportation: rifles, shotguns and handguns must be transported in a cased and unloaded
condition, firearms carried in the passenger compartment must be cased and unloaded or in plain view with actions
open and unloaded
Attorney General�s Office
30 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43266-0410
614-466-3376
Ohio is one of the few states that has not passed a firearm law preemption act. This condition causes the occasional traveler
concern because most of Ohio's major cities such as Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati have restrictive laws regarding firearm
carry and "assault weapon" ownership. Generally, however, the law of Ohio prevails in most regions outside these urban areas.
Under state law, vehicle carry of firearms in the passenger compartment is limited to unloaded firearms that are cased or in plain
sight with actions open. Loaded firearms may not be transported anywhere in a vehicle where accessibility is possible without
first leaving the vehicle. This condition would suggest that loaded firearms transported in a locked, inaccessible trunk are
legitimate. However, most law enforcement authorities recommend that firearms transported anywhere in a vehicle be unloaded
and secured in a case. A loaded detachable magazine, even if not inserted in the firearm, is considered a "loaded weapon." Such
magazines mav only be transported in the trunk or an inaccessible vehicle storage compartment.
Ohio has no statutory provision which allows citizens to carry concealed weapons. Thus, no reciprocity exists for an out-of-state
resident to carry concealed. Ohio law does permit the open carry of a firearm. However, this is rendered very precarious since
localities are permitted to regulate firearms in their own way. Many cities have chosen to prohibit the open carry of Firearms.
Travelers should be aware of this when traveling through urban areas such as the ones mentioned above where such restrictions
are most likely to exist.
Oklahoma
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis, reciprocity available for non-residents with carry
permits from certain other states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: state preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: unloaded firearms may be carried in the passenger compartments magazine
loaded rifles and shotguns may be transported in an exterior locked compartment or trunk
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah.
Attorney General�s Office
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Rm 1 12
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-3921
Handguns must be unloaded and carried in plain view or secured in a commercial gun case. Glove compartment carry is
considered "concealed" and thus illegal. Oklahoma allows the open carry of firearms for "any legitimate purpose not in violation
of the law." This generally includes most recreational activity such as hunting and target shooting. However, open or concealed
carry at certain public events such as political rallies and sporting events is prohibited.
Oklahoma recently passed a concealed carry law which allows qualified Oklahoma residents to carry concealed weapons upon
obtaining the proper license. Oklahoma provides reciprocity to those non-residents who have concealed carry licenses issued by
certain other states if the issuing state follows certain guidelines set forth by statute. The list of states acceptable for reciprocity
is formulated at the discretion of Oklahoma authorities. Travelers should verify the status of their permits with the Attorney
General before carrying concealed in the state.
Oregon
Concealed carry: licenses issued to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis, limited provision for reciprocity for
residents of contiguous states who demonstrate a viable need for concealed carry by application
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state except for the right of
localities to regulate the carry of loaded firearms within their limits (including in vehicles)
Vehicle carry and transportation: firearms must be carried in plain view or securely encased in the trunk or
storage compartment, state law does not prohibit loaded firearms in vehicles, however, county governments may
regulate this aspect separately
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-6002
Vehicle carry of a readily accessible handgun concealed "upon one's person" is strictly prohibited. State courts have held that
"upon one's person" includes concealment in glove compartments, briefcases and under one's seat. Open carry of a loaded
handgun in a belt holster is permissible with one important caveat. Despite the existence of a preemption act, the legislature has
reserved the right to regulate the public carry of loaded firearms to county governments. Portland and other major population
centers have ordinances which require all firearms carried in a public setting or in a private vehicle to be unloaded and in plain
view or securely cased. Travelers should be particularly mindful of this when traveling through such areas.
Oregon issues concealed carry licenses to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. Non-residents from contiguous states may
apply for a license if they can show a viable personal need for concealed carry in Oregon. However, no reciprocity exists for
travelers with licenses issued in their home states.
