Are there any states in the us which permit you to carry a hand gun, in public, without a permit.?

Question

I am having an argument with someone on a message board, he claims that the police stopped him at an airport when he was carrying a handgun, and asked to see his hunting license. He claims this was illegal, as he is permitted to carry a gun in the state were he was without a permit. At first I found out that he was from Maryland, where it is illegal to carry a handgun without a permit, but he claims he was in a differnt state, when it happened. He won't tell me the state unless I make a bet with him.

I believe he is a troll, but would love to prove him wrong.

Answer 1

Even if you get a permit to carry a gun there are still places that you cannot go carrying the weapon. Airport is one. How stupid can you be. They hassle you up for trying to take a lighter or nail clippers on a plane. He thought a gun would be ok, huh?

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sickler/opforstuff/goodstuff/interstatetransportfirearms.HTM
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600152118,00.html

Answer 2

It depends on the state he was in and each state has different laws. Many states, if not all, allow someone to carry a pistol without a permit under certain conditions.

In Texas, some of the conditions include on your own property, in a business under your control, as a security guard if in uniform and on duty (though you do need a security guard's license), as a police officer (though you do need a police officer's license), while hunting or engaged in sporting activity, or while traveling. Under the latest laws, Texas has a presumption that you are traveling if you are in a privately owned car. Obviously most of these would not apply in an airport, but the traveling exception might.

And it does make a difference what part of the airport he was in and even how big an airport. The lobby outside the secure area of a major airport is not covered by the federal laws, and very few parts of small general aviation airports are covered either.

Some states only require a permit for a concealed weapon and an openly carried pistol is legal. I believe Arizona and New Mexico are two states with laws like this.

As stated Vermont does not require a permit from anyone. Contrary to one other poster's opinion, I think Alaska has the best laws. They do not require a permit for anyone to carry, but do offer a permit so that their residents can carry in states that have reciprocal agreements or recognize other states permits.

One of the best web sites for what can be done in each state is listed below as my source. They do have some errors, so it is not to be used as a legal reference, but it is pretty good for this type of discussion.

Overall, I would make the bet with your friend to see how he answers, but make him prove it as part of the bet, including what part of the airport he was in. I think he is full of it myself, but then, TSA has been known to not charge some people when they find guns in luggage if the person has honestly forgotten it was there and can show some evidence of it. It helps to be famous or politically connected for that to happen though.

Answer 3

Alaska and Vermont are the only two states (so far) that allow any person, over the age of 21, who has NOT been convicted of a felony or Domestic Violence as defined by that state, to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. That being so, there are still restrictions associated with that "permit". The carrier is still prohibited from entering any airport, federal building, post office, court house, hospital or health care facility, nightclub, bar or lounge where alcohol consumption is the PRIMARY business, while carrying a concealed handgun. Local ordinances may include other restricted areas. I recommend you check with your local law enforcement agency or law library to determine those additional restricted areas or locations. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Any moron that carries a gun in an airport deserves to get hassled. Even in Alaska and Vermont you can not carry a gun in an airport. If this person is from Maryland, there are states that will allow him or her to obtain a nonresident permit. There are websites that provide the information you are looking for. Try Packing.org for more information.

Answer 5

The person you are talking to is an idiot! It doesnt matter if you need a permit or not in whatever state he is in, federal law prohibits you from carrying a gun in an airport. He is a troll.

Answer 6

Now what kind of hunting would you be doing in an airport? Irregardless it is a federal crime to carry a firearm into the sterile portion of an airport, as it is to carry it into a federal court house and so on.

The person that fed you this line is full of it.

Answer 7

I don't know of any state in this country that will allow you to carry a gun without a license of some kind. I do know in Kennesaw Ga, it is a city ordinance TO own a gun (except conscientious observers) Even with this law, you're not allowed to be cruising with your colt strapped to your side without a license.
Link below in regards to Kennesaw.

http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/kennesaw.html

Answer 8

There are only 2 states that you do not have to have a permit
to carry a firearm and these are Alaska and Vermont.

Answer 9

You can carry in plain view without a permit in Kentucky if you are not a convicted felon. You cannot take it into a church, airport, bank, school or courthouse though....

Answer 10

Vermont has the BEST concealed Carry laws in the US, just do it, Texas and even Florida have decent ones as well. But Vermont has the best.