Moving? Consider the State Firearms Laws
November 18, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
Guest post: by ‘Be informed’
So you are considering a new home to move to, or staying where you are at. The place for you seems like a good area, plenty of fresh air and clean water, away from the hazards of manmade and most natural disasters, good growing conditions, etc, etc. The question though arises about your right as a human being to defend yourself and your family. Does this area and the state let you possess and carry means of self defense weapons to safeguard yourself, or do the laws help to empower the criminal over potential victims (you)?
If you feel as a person that you have the basic right to defend yourself and family against someone attacking that could hurt, rape, or murder you and or your family, then careful considerations needs to be weighed in where you choose to live. As absurd as it may sound, there are places that unbelievably prohibit even “non-lethal” means of self defense or make it excessively difficult to obtain and use of self protection. Being aware of extremely restrictive or prohibitive state and local self defense laws can save a person much grievances and problems with these regulations, as a person can choose to move to somewhere better suited for them personally.
Forewarning and advanced knowledge ahead of time is a key element of preparedness. Lets look at state laws governing firearms, stun guns, and defense sprays.
In the United States, thanks to the 2nd. amendment that gives you the right to keep and bear arms, a person not convicted of a felony or other crime that would take away that right, has the right to own firearms. Where they can carry those firearms is more dependent on state laws. Permitting policies of states are put into 4 categories; unrestricted, shall issue, may issue, and no issue.
-Unrestricted is also called constitutional carry that no permit is required to carry a concealed handgun. Only 4 states allow this.
-Shall-issue is a state that requires a permit that is met through certain criteria laid out by the state. Safety classes, fees, professional training, etc.
-May-issue is where the state requires a permit but is usually given at the discretion of local law enforcement on top of other criteria that includes what shall issue states make requirements of.
-No-issue are states that do not allow private citizens to carry concealed hand guns, period. Illinois and the District of Columbia are no issues, but Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, and certain cities and counties of New York and California are technically are may-issue places, actually practice no-issue.
Concealed hand gun laws of 50 states and DC
Alabama- May-issue, Shall-issue in practice
Alaska- Unrestricted
Arizona- Unrestricted
Arkansas- Shall-issue
California- May-issue
Colorado- Shall-issue
Connecticut- May-issue, Shall-issue in practice
Delaware- May-issue
District of Columbia- No-issue
Florida- Shall-issue
Georgia- Shall-issue
Hawaii- May-issue, No-issue in practice
Idaho- Shall-issue
Illinois- No-issue
Indiana- Shall-issue
Iowa- Shall-issue
Kansas- Shall-issue
Kentucky- Shall-issue
Louisiana- Shall-issue
Maine- Shall-issue
Maryland- May-issue, No-issue in practice
Massachusetts- May-issue
Michigan- Shall-issue
Minnesota- Shall-issue
Mississippi- Shall-issue
Missouri- Shall-issue
Montana- Shall-issue, unrestricted outside of city limits
Nebraska- Shall-issue
Nevada- Shall-issue
New Hampshire- Shall-issue
New Jersey- May-issue
New Mexico- Shall-issue
New York- May-issue
North Carolina- Shall-issue
North Dakota- Shall-issue
Ohio- Shall issue
Oklahoma- Shall-issue
Oregon- Shall-issue
Pennsylvania- Shall-issue
Rhode Island- May-issue
South Carolina- Shall-issue
South Dakota- Shall-issue
Tennessee- Shall-issue
Texas- Shall-issue
Utah- Shall-issue
Vermont- Unrestricted
Virgina- Shall-issue
Washington- Shall-issue
West Virginia- Shall-issue
Wisconsin- Shall-issue
Wyoming- Unrestricted
Information obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry_in_the_United_States
Much more detailed information about Concealed carry in the United States is at this address and should be reviewed for those interested.
Further extremely valuable information on gun laws in the United States by each individual state is available from this web address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_(Firearm)_laws_in_the_United_States_(by_state)
It is highly recommended to review this on individual state regulations on guns.
Open carry of loaded hand guns on foot and in vehicles is allowed without licenses in 12 states, and 16 states allow carry of loaded hand guns without licenses, but require a license for carry in vehicles. A map showing the United States showing all the state laws for open carry is at: http://opencarry.org/opencarry.html
TASERS and stun guns that are considered non-lethal for self defense and are legal in ONLY 42 states as long as you are not a minor and don’t have any felony records and is used ONLY for defending yourself.
States and areas where all stun guns and TASERS are illegal:
-Hawaii
-Illinois, unless FOID card is available
-Massachusetts
-Michigan
-New Jersey
-New York
-Rhode Island
-Wisconsin, unless you show a valid copy of Concealed Carry Weapon permit
-Annapolis, Maryland
-Baltimore, Maryland
-Baltimore County, MD
-Dension/ Crawford County, IA
-District of Columbia
-Philadelphia, PA
Also some additional restrictions are:
-Connecticut- Legal for home use only, carrying prohibited
-Indiana- TASER subject to requirements of handgun license.
-Puerto Rico- A special permit and training certification maybe required
As unbelievable as it may be, there are areas in the country that actually have restrictions on pepper sprays. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, but numerous cities and states have restrictions on sizes and strengths. This is a small example of some.
New York- NY residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms dealers or licensed Pharmacists in this state.
Massachusetts- MA residents may only purchase pepper sprays from licensed Firearms dealers here.
Michigan- OC pepper spray can be no stronger that 2% concentrate. CS is the ONLY Tear gas accepted and can be no larger than 35 grams per can.
Wisconsin- Pepper spray ONLY. No teat gas, UV dye or combination sprays. OC can be no stronger than a 10% solution. Container must be between 15-60 grams Only and have a safety feature.
With Firearms, Stun Guns, TASERS, defense sprays such as Pepper sprays it is ALWAYS wise and prudent to contact the local and state attorneys office to answer any questions regarding the laws on these self defense items of the area you live in or are considering moving to. Sheriff’s offices from the county you are interested in would also be an additional source of reliable information regarding this.
It should be noted that places that make it terribly difficult for someone to defend themselves regarding firearms, but especially so with stun guns and pepper sprays probably also have very frightening laws regarding other issues of self defense.
In conclusion, someone that seeks personal freedom is unlikely to find much when an area forbids those innocent citizens from exercising their most basic right of self defense, taking away their means of preserving and protecting their lives, and enables the criminals of the world to gain an advantage over the victims. Careful scrutiny of any area is ALWAYS advised.
Ken adds: Also, consider the various state laws regarding ammunition restrictions. Should also go without saying, if you are a firearms owner and supporter of the 2nd amendment, one of the few organizations that support your firearms rights is the National Rifle Association. Consider joining…
Here is another good site for the various State firearms laws.
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Excellent point on ammunition! Live in an area where there is such freedom in regards to firearms and ammunition that any restrictions on ammunition did not even cross my mind. There are so many advantages to living in a free zone of the United States. I can tell eveyone when you move from an area that suffocates you with all sorts of regulations and laws on everything that you cannot even breathe, when you move to a “free state” it is like a 200 pound weight being removed off your back. Fantastic feeling.
Got a link on ammunition restrictions? What about info on collapsible batons? I never leave home without my Glock 26, but I realize there are some places where I can’t carry and I don’t want to be without some form of protection.
@ Nick. This should help about ammo restrictions info:
http://gun.laws.com/ammunition/ammunition-for-sale
Also http://www.atf.gov has all sorts of federal regulations on everything it seems like, bureaucratic of course, but some information that someone might be able to use.
On collapsible batons: http://www.ehow.com/about_5333110_laws-collapsible-batons.html
Whenever you travel to a new area, it is ALWAYS advisable to call ahead the local law enforcement agencies to check about THEIR laws in regards to carry weapons and self defense. You know that old saying, ignorance is no excuse and some county or state would surely use this against someone just trying to protect themselves if they were in violation of any laws. Hope this helps, and I wish everyone would take your feelings on not being without some form of protection, so many people would not become victims.
I read some cities outlawed pepper spray, batons, stun guns.( and super soaker squirt guns) because the city officials “claimed” that gang members were misusing them and passing a law would stop the gang members. yeah, right. So I guess there are no more gang members in America now? (Just being funny.)