Taking a new gun home without a concealed carry permit, you just walk out of the gun shop, weapon in hand?

Question

Sorry if this is a stupid common-sense question. I want to buy a handgun for personal/home defense purposes. If I go to the gun shop and buy a gun, after passing the background checks and it's time to take it home, how do you take it home with you if you can't conceal it? You just hold it in your hand in plain sight? And what about bringing it to a shooting range? You just put it on the seat in your car or what? What if you get pulled over by a cop for speeding or something?

BTW I live in Virginia.

Answer 1

I live in Va. and own pistols. To transport them without a carry permit keep them in a case and unloaded. You can pick up a lockable case at K-mart or Wal-mart for under $10. If you are in a car it's best to have them locked in the trunk. on the seat is OK too as long as the case is locked. Keep the ammo separate while transporting it. If you'd like to get a concealed weapons permit, contact your local police department or check at a local gun club and they'll have information on the class. After you complete the class, you can fill out the paperwork for the permit. It's an easy process and only costs about $35. Hope this helped.

Answer 2

First of all, you are asking a total of five questions concerning diferent circumstances in regards to transporting a handgun. Below are common sense rules that I have followed for years.

Part I. Leaving the shop with a new handgun

New handguns come with a lockable box (even when unlocked, new boxes are designed to be somewhat a pain to open). If you buy a used handgun with no box, any reputable dealer will at least supply you with a bag or cover of some sort. If you buy shells at the same time, put them in a seperate part of your car-like the trunk. I usually put a new purchase under my seat (with NO AMMO) and drive straight home (NO SPEEDING!-why would you give yourself something to woory about?). If you were to get stopped, stating whether or not you have a gun in transport is a personal decision that you will have to make. I don't put myself in a position to get pulled over when I drive with a gun in my car. Just keep ammo and gun seperate and relax. In Ohio you can keep an UNLOADED gun on the seat of you car in plain view, but this is an outdated choice that actually works more against you anymore.

II. Going to the gun range

When going to a shooting location, my gun and ammo are both locked up in a hard plastic range box that is LOCKED. Inside the box the gun and ammo are on seperate levels. This box is also stored in the trunk of my car. If you have a truck, you will have to put it on the floor of your passenger side. Just like leaving the gun shop, DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. NO SPEEDING TO A GUN RANGE OR OTHER STUPID DRIVING.

I use what is known as the "three moves" rule. Actually, it would take more than three moves for me to cause trouble while transporting a gun.
If you were to get pulled over and you just bought a new handgun and did something wrong in regards to storage, more than likely you would get a citation as long as the gun was unloaded. If you got caught with a loaded gun while driving, you would be in big trouble (even if you just bought it). The police have leeway in this area and can take certain things into account, but do not rely on this as a line of defense. Do the right thing and make it as hard as possible for yourself to conveniently load and fire a weapon from a car as a non-ccw permit holder.

Answer 3

I am not sure about Virginia's rules. Every state is different. Most states it is just fine to have it unloaded in the box. Then put the box in the trunk. Some require the box be locked and/or the firearm actually be dissembled.

Do not leave it in plain sight on the seat in your automobile like one poster said. There is only one state I know of that allows that and it sure isn't Virginia. That is a quick way to see the inside of a jail. There may be some states that allow it on the backseat, that is not much different than a gunrack. It is much easier for you and law enforcement just to go with the gun unloaded, in a box or case, in the trunk (or most innaccessable place from the driver/passengers possible). What do you think happens when you get pulled over for speeding and there is a visible firearm in the car? The potential threat of your using that firearm in the situation will be eliminated. It could be nicely. It may not.

Most importantly check on your states laws from an official source.

Answer 4

You put it in a case. Walking into a gun shop or range with an uncased, unholstered weapon has the potential of eliciting an undesired reaction.

You're actually in a decent position being in Virginia. In VA, you can openly carry a firearm without a permit (in fact open carry is required in an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages - you can carry openly there but can't conceal even with a permit, go figure).

Answer 5

First of all, you need a permit to buy a handgun in most states, but can buy a shotgun or rifle with no permit if you are 18. Assuming you have a pistol purchase permit (in NC you get it from your local Sheriff, not sure about Va) and you buy a handgun, then you should carry it unloaded and locked in your truck. When you go to the range, you should carry it in the case which is provided with it or an aftermarket gun case. This is not considered concealed. Carrying in your car in the glove compartment or under the seat is considered concealed in most states.

Answer 6

Most states allow for the transport of unloaded weapons for transport to and from gun shops, gun smiths, shooting ranges, hunting areas, competition events, gun shows and home.
Do not have the weapon loaded while in transport.
Keep it in the trunk or locked case if possible.
If you get pulled over and the vehicle searched explain to the officer before the search that you have a weapon the reason and destination for the weapon.
I have been pulled over in a few accessions with the weapon in a gun case in the front seat of the truck I drive and the officer asked was the weapon loaded, I said no and asked would he like to check.
They have always said it was not necessary for them to check.
But the best advice I got from the law enforcement officers, was to keep it out of sight as in the trunk or behind the seat if possible, not to hide it from the police but out of sight of the person that would be willing to steal it and brake out auto glass to do so.

If you drive a car keep it in the trunk, if you drive a truck try to keep it behind the seat.
But keep it in either a hard case or a soft case to protect the weapon from damage.

D58

Answer 7

One put your gun in the trunk when your transporting your firearm. Two buy a lockable gun case to put your firearm in. Use the same gun case to transport your gun to the range. If you get pulled over for speeding you DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING unless they ask. Stay calm if you act nervous they will act nervous and you may wind up with other problems. I grew up in Lexington most if not all the police/sheriff are very understanding. I transport enough equipment now if a cop wanted to be an *** I can spend a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Answer 8

No, do not put it on your seat. It needs to be empty, in a case, and locked in the trunk of your vehicle. Otherwise you could be facing criminal charges.

You do not need to declare it if you are pulled over; only if they ask if you have any weapons.

The concealed carry permit allows you to carry a loaded weapon on your body while in public for self defense. You can carry the handgun unloaded in a case to and from your car without needing a concealed weapons permit.

Answer 9

I don't know about in Virginia, but very few states have open carry provisions. Which means you should be able to purchase your gun, put it in a case unloaded, stick it in the trunk of your car and go straight home with it. To be absolutely safe, check with your local police department first and do whatever they recommend.

Good luck.

H

Answer 10

Just put in your trunk and noone should have anything to say,,, if you do not know much about guns I would seriously advise you to stay away from a pistol and buy a 20Ga. shotgun,,, a Winchester 1200 pump or 1300 autoloader with a short "slug" barrel and bird shot will be most effective and easy to shoot,,, and don't forget to get some instructions and pratice.
Good luck..