Tennessee
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, localities prohibited from passing new laws
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns, rifles and shotguns may be transported in vehicles if the weapons
are unloaded and cased, passenger compartment carry is as acceptable as trunk transport as long as the firearm is
securely encased
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia,
Wyoming, Utah.
Attorney General�s Office
425 5th Avenue N. / Cordell Hull Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0497
(615) 741-3491
Tennessee chooses to regulate firearms carry in a statutorily strict manner. Individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms with
the "intent to go armed." This condition is defined by the actions of the individual and the state of the firearms which he has in his
possession. If the weapons are loaded and carried on his person, his intent to go armed within the meaning of the statute is
established. He is guilty of violating the law. Thus, vehicle carry of all firearms by non-residents or unlicensed individuals should
be limited to unloaded and cased firearms. Such weapons may be situated anywhere in the vehicle except on one's person.
Passenger compartment carry is as legitimate as trunk transport if the weapons are cased and unloaded.
As mentioned above, Tennessee issues qualified individuals licenses to carry concealed. Tennessee recognizes carry permits
from certain other states with issuance standards similar to Tennessee. The Commissioner of Safety is the sole arbiter of which
states' permits may be recognized according to the guidelines set forth by the legislature. Travelers should contact the state
Attorney General to verify the status of their permits.
Firearms carry of any kind (open or concealed) in a public setting is prohibited unless such carry relates to officially sanctioned
target practice or hunting activity. This prohibition is more likely to apply specifically to an urban or heavily populated area where
such activity cannot practically occur. Permissive firearms carry on private land in a rural setting is within the law.
Texas
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 statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: unlicensed individuals and non-residents may not carry handguns on or about
their persons while in a vehicle (specific exemption for bonafide travelers - see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisana, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming.
Attorney General�s Office
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
(512) 463-2191
Texas' concealed carry law allows for the concealed carry of a handgun on one's person and in one's vehicle by properly
licensed individuals. The Texas Department of Public Safety may negotiate reciprocity agreements with other states for the
recognition of their citizens' carry permits. This reciprocity is conditioned upon formal agreements and may be subject to periodic
revision.
Carry of handguns "on or about one's person" on foot or in a vehicle is explicitly prohibited by statute. "On or about one's person"
has been defined by the Texas courts to include any handgun within arm's reach of an individual whether concealed or open.
Under one's seat, on the dash, in the glove compartment or even in the back seat are spatial positions which have been held to be
"on or about one's person." Texas law, however, exempts individuals who are carrying handguns for self-protection while
traveling across Texas on a "bonafide" journey or engaged in a lawfully related firearm activity such as hunting or target
shooting. Although police will likely not arrest an individual who falls within these exemptions, any doubt as to a person's true
intentions could result in a delay or an overnight jail stay. Travelers unable to maintain their classification as "bonafide travelers"
should carry their handgun unloaded and cased in the trunk.
Utah
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 statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: rifles, shotguns and handguns must be unloaded and securely encased,
unlicensed individuals may not carry readily accessible firearms in their vehicles (see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma,
Wyoming.
Attorney General�s Office
236 State Capitol
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-1326
Utah issues concealed carry licenses to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. Utah extends reciprocity to permittees from
states whose permit issuance standards meet or exceed Utah's standards. Travelers should contact the Utah Attorney General
for information on the status of their permits.
Vehicle carry of rifles, shotguns, and handguns is limited to unloaded and securely encased firearms. Securely encased includes
gun rack carry as well as trunk or storage compartment transport. Containment in a commercial gun case anywhere in the
vehicle is also acceptable. Glove compartment or console box carry falls outside the definitive parameters of securely encased
and is strictly prohibited. A handgun must be completely void of ammunition in both the chamber and the magazine to be
considered "unloaded." Any firearm, loaded or unloaded, which is not securely encased is considered readily accessible and thus
illegal.
Utah also prohibits the carry of loaded firearms in public areas (including sidewalks) and any otherwise prohibited area. Violation
of this law and most other laws involving firearms carry is a misdemeanor.
Vermont
Concealed carry: no license required for concealed carry
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns may be carried loaded and concealed
Attorney General�s Office
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
(802) 828-3171
Vermont is the only state where firearm carry of any kind (open or concealed) is properly viewed as a right not subject to state
regulation. Individuals may carry handguns on their person in a concealed or open manner. Vehicle carry is viewed in the same
light as any other carry. Residents and visitors from other states may carry a concealed, loaded handgun in their vehicle provided
the firearm is not carried with the avowed purpose of injuring someone.
Vermont prohibits firearms carry on the grounds of any "state institution." This would generally include facilities such as prisons
as well as most property leased or owned by the government. Travelers should take note of this aspect if they intend to carry a
firearm while on foot.
Vermont has a firearm preemption act which prevents municipalities from enacting laws that locally regulate the carry,
possession or sale of firearms. Cities may still regulate the discharge and use of firearms.
Virginia
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 statute, pre-1987 ordinances grandfathered, counties permitted limited
regulation of loaded firearms carry
Vehicle carry and transportation: concealed carry of all firearms is prohibited, firearms carried in a vehicle
should be unloaded and in plain view or securely cased and transported in trunk (see below)
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee.
Attorney General�s Office
900 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2071
Concealed carry licenses are granted to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. Virginia extends reciprocity to nonresidents
with carry permits from certain other states. The home state's standards of issuance must match specific criteria set forth by
statute. The home state must also recognize Virginia permits. The Virginia Attorney General maintains a list of states recognized
for reciprocity purposes.
Vehicle carry should be limited to those firearms which are unloaded and in plain view or, if hidden from ordinary observation,
unloaded and securely encased. Securely encased generally refers to firearms contained in commercially available gun cases.
Virginia prohibits concealed carry without a Virginia license and considers any hidden, readily accessible weapon on or about
one's person to be concealed. In a vehicle, this would include carry of a firearm in the glove compartment, under one's seat or in
a briefcase or gym bag which is within arms reach.
State law does not prohibit loaded firearm carry in a vehicle. However, local gun ordinances passed before 1987 are
grandfathered by Virginia's preemption act. Thus, a sufficient number of localities mandate that all firearms carried in a vehicle
be cased and unloaded. Counties are also permitted to pass new laws regulating the carry of loaded rifles and shotguns in
vehicles on public highways. Thus, travelers may find it safest to unload and case their firearms unless they are familiar with the
legal status of the county they are visiting.
Washington
Concealed carry: licenses issued to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis, no provision for reciprocity for
non-residents with licenses from their home states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns must be unloaded and secured in an opaque case,
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
1125 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-0100
(360) 753-6200
Washington issues concealed carry licenses to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. However, no reciprocity currently
exists for non-residents with carry licenses from their home states. Travelers with concealed carry permits from states other
than Washington are subject to the same restrictions as non-licensed residents.
Vehicle carry of a concealed handgun is limited to those individuals possessing a Washington concealed carry license.
Unlicensed residents or nonresident travelers may carry unloaded handguns in their vehicles as long as the weapons are secured
in an opaque gun case. All firearms must be hidden from view if a vehicle is left unoccupied.
Firearms may be carried outside a vehicle in plain view, either holstered or slung, while one is engaged in a lawful activity such
as target shooting or hunting. This condition generally includes gun carry in most rural areas. However, firearms carry in urban
areas should be limited to unloaded and cased weapons.
West Virginia
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 statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns must be unloaded and carried in plain view except during evening
hours when firearms should also be cased or disassembled. Unlicensed individuals may not conceal any firearm in
their vehicle
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee.
Attorney General�s Office
State Capitol, Bldg. 1, Rm. E26
Charleston, kW 25305
(304) 558-2021
West Virginia issues concealed carry licenses to qualified residents on a "shall issue" basis. Statutory reciprocity exists for a
non-resident with a concealed carry permit from his home state to carry concealed in West Virginia if his home state recognizes
West Virginia's permits. An individual that qualifies for reciprocity with an out-of-state concealed carry license may carry a
loaded, concealed handgun while traveling in a vehicle.
Open carry of firearms while on foot is permitted if a person is engaged in lawful activity such as hunting or target shooting.
Wisconsin
Concealed carry: no provision under law for individuals to carry concealed weapons
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption statute, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns must be unloaded and securely cased while in a vehicle
Attorney General�s Office
State Capitol, Suite 1 14 East
Madison, WI 53707-7857
(608) 266-1221
Wisconsin provides no legal avenue for individuals to carry concealed weapons. Non-residents with concealed carry permits
from their home states will not receive reciprocity for such licenses in Wisconsin. Thus, anyone carrying a concealed weapon
within a vehicle is in violation of the law. Wisconsin courts define concealed carry of firearms as "hidden from ordinary view and
indiscernible from the ordinary view of a person located outside and within the immediate vicinity of the vehicle." Individuals
have been successfully prosecuted for possessing weapons that were visible from within the vehicle but concealed from external
view. Carrying a concealed weapon is a misdemeanor in Wisconsin.
Vehicle carry handguns is limited to weapons that are unloaded and securely cased. Wisconsin law prohibits carry of loaded
weapons of any type, including bows, within a vehicle. Discharging firearms from a vehicle or any motor-driven contrivance is
also prohibited. Carrying a firearm in a wildlife area without a hunting license is viewed as hunting without a license and
prosecutable as such an offense.
Wyoming
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis; automatic reciprocity available to a non-resident with a
concealed carry license issued by a state agency of his home state
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: uniform throughout state, local units prohibited from enacting ordinances regulating
firearms
Vehicle carry and transportation: loaded firearms carried in a vehicle's passenger compartment must be in plain
view. Only individuals with valid carry licenses may carry concealed firearms
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma.
Attorney General�s Office
123 State Capitol Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7841
Concealed carry of firearms is limited to individuals possessing a license to carry concealed. A non-resident with a carry permit
issued by a state agency of his home state is granted automatic reciprocity under Wyoming law and may carry concealed subject
to the laws of Wyoming.
Loaded firearms carried in a vehicle's passenger compartment must be in plain view. Handguns should be in open belt holsters or
displayed on the vehicle's dashboard.
Open carry of firearms while an individual is on foot is permitted with the same caveat as vehicle carry. The firearm must be
visible to casual observation and should be secured in a snapped belt holster.
