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

by
posted on March 28, 2021
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

Model 1841 Mississippi rifle closeup right-side view sidelock hammer brass trigger guard wood stock AMERICAN RIFLEMAN text bottom right
Model 1841 Mississippi rifle closeup right-side view sidelock hammer brass trigger guard wood stock AMERICAN RIFLEMAN text bottom right

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle

Of all the U.S. military arms of the mid-19th century, one of the most interesting, effective and well-built was the Model 1841 rifle, often called simply the "Mississippi rifle."

New For 2025: Springfield Armory 2020 Heatseeker

A new Model 2020 rifle from Springfield Armory, the Heatseeker, will come wrapped in an aluminum Coyote Brown-colored chassis from Sharps Brothers featuring M-Lok modularity and more.

I Have This Old Gun: Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog

Many eagle-eyed NRA members viewing the 1993 Western “Tombstone” no doubt recognized the Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog so deftly welded by actress Joanna Pacula, portraying Big Nose Kate, during a contemptuous card game between Doc Holliday and Ed Bailey.

Medal Of Honor Marine Receives Henry Repeating Arms Tribute

Henry Repeating Arms presented a Spirit of the Corps 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition rifle to Maj. Gen. Livingston for going above and beyond the call of duty on May 2, 1968, during the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam.

Preview: Duramag 1911 DS Magazines

Duramag’s 1911 DS Magazines are compatible with numerous 9 mm Luger-chambered 2011-style handguns on the market.

Colt Monitor: The FBI’s “Fighting Rifle”

In the years between the World Wars, a rare variation of the Browning Automatic Rifle proved its reputation as an effective, devastating automatic rifle for combat between the country’s lawmen and its outlaws.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.