Updated for 2021: Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States

by
posted on March 28, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2021travelerguide-1.jpg
Every year, people drive to all corners of the United States and beyond, sometimes with their firearms in tow with them. Unfortunately for many responsible armed citizens, this can expose them to a complex and ever-changing environment of state gun laws, many of which vary from year to year.

Fortunately, the updated 24th edition of J. Scott Kappas’ "Traveler’s Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States" has America’s gun-carrying travelers covered for 2021. Within its 68 pages are more than 100 updates since 2020, including 50 subheads in each state’s checklist detailing ammo-carry rules and new online updates for conditional reciprocity states. This includes among other aspects:
  • Carry of firearms in a motor vehicle.
  • Concealed carry reciprocity.
  • Firearm law preemption. 
  • Concealed carry in state and national parks.
  • Concealed carry in restaurants serving alcohol.
  • Open carry without a permit.
  • Traveling with firearms on airlines, cruise ships, buses, RVs and motorcycles.
  • Firearm possession in hotels, on college campuses and school grounds.
  • State laws regulating long guns, handguns, NFA items and parts restrictions.
  • How to handle a traffic stop.
For those who also visit the nation’s northern and southern hemispheres, the "Traveler’s Guide" includes detailed information for trips to Canada and Mexico. The guide retails for $14.95 (including shipping), and can be purchased at gunlawguide.com.

Examples of individual state pages:

Latest

Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities
Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities

Rifleman Q&A: Crates Of Cartridge Curiosities

"I have in my possession two interesting wooden boxes containing two sealed ammunition cans each. I initially assumed the cartridges to be corrosive-primed and marked them as such with a paint pen, but lately I am not so sure."

Preview: Spyderco Police Model

The all-stainless-steel Spyderco Police Model folding knife is an instantly recognizable design that, according to the company, “was developed in the early 1980s to meet the demanding needs of law-enforcement professionals.”

The TriStar Arms APOC: Familiar & Affordable

Glock-inspired handgun designs have become one of the most popular corners of the firearm market, and TriStar Arms is the latest to throw its hat into the ring with the affordable APOC.

Preview: Linos Sheathworks Custom Kydex Knife Sheaths

Shown here with a TOPS Apache Falcon knife, Linos Sheathworks’ custom Kydex sheaths are available to fit a wide variety of popular fixed-blade and folding knife models from other major brands—all without the need to ship the host knife to the company.

Gun Of The Week: Ruger LCP MAX Manual Safety

Ruger introduced its LCP MAX in 2021, but in recent years, the company has expanded the line with new models, including this two-tone version equipped with a manual thumb safety.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 28, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.