From: gt9022a@prism.gatech.edu (David Meyers)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Traveling with a gun
Date: 1 Jan 93 23:57:12 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology


In <8113@tekig7.PEN.TEK.COM> erico@squirrel.pen.tek.com (Eric Oosterhof;627-4329;47-786;tekig1.pen;) writes:


#In article <1992Dec30.140727.9673@samba.oit.unc.edu>, rdrob@med.unc.edu (Ricky Roberson) writes:
#|> Hi folks.  I posted to another group, got some really helpful information,
#|> and someone also suggested that I post to this group as well. 
#|> Here's my question.  I plan to be traveling soon, leaving NC, going
#|> through SC, GA, AL, and into Mississippi.  I plan on carrying a handgun
#|> for personal protection.  The gun will be a borrowed 9mm.  
#|> My question is about the legality of carrying a handgun in a vehicle.

I understand that it is illegal to carry a handgun in Alabama at
all, with perhaps the exception of to and from a range.  This is
unconfirmed, so be careful there, and look into it for real.  I
just try to avoid alabama in general ;)

As far as Georgia goes, the following is directly from the
Georgia Firearms law, 16-11-126:

[...]
(d) This Code section shall not forbid the transportation of any
firearm by a person who is not among those enumeraged as ineligible
for a license under Code Section 16-11-129, provided the firearm
is enclosed in a case, unloaded, and separated from its ammunition.
This Code section shall not forbid the transportation of a loaded
firearm in any private passenger motor vehicle in an open manner
and fully exposed to view or in the glove compartment of the vehicle.

---end of quote---

Now, there are other details about carrying on your person
in an open manner and fully exposed to view, without a
license (that is in section 16-11-128), but it seems a little
ambiguous to me, so I would not risk it.  Besides, there is
no reason to carry like that and alarm everyone around you,
not to mention risk being shot by a police officer.  

Also, very importantly, if you have the handgun in your car,
make sure that it is either in the glovebox, or if not, that
it is fully exposed -- like sitting visible on the passenger
seat, not covered by anything at all.  And, definately do NOT
stick the gun down in the space beside the seat.  Even if part
of the gun is visible, having it stuck down beside the seat
counts as concealed, and you will have committed the offense
of carrying a concealed weapon.

[this last fact was stressed to me by the officer in the 
probate court office the day before yesterday, when I was
picking up the very copy of the law from which I just quoted].

It is frightening that they make it so difficult to be a
good law abiding citizen at the same time as protecting
oneself.  Especially when travelling, which seems to me to
be at least as important as protecting oneself at home.

Does anyone out there know if there is a good summary of
the laws in various states?  That would be a good resource.

Happy New Year!
--David

-- 
- - - - - - - - - -+++ dmeyers@math.gatech.edu +++- - - - - - - - - - -
I've known the Truth.  I just can't tell you much about it.  No words.
That's ok, you know, because I suspect that you've probably known the
Truth.  And, I don't think you can tell me much about it.  No words.