Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Alaska: Any person who can legally own a firearm can possess a loaded handgun openly or concealed in a vehicleAlabama: Anyone 19 years of age or older who can legally possess a firearm under State and Federal Law can carry a firearm in Alabama without a permit. Those with a permit issued by any state can carry at 18.Arkansas: Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicleArizona: Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicleCalifornia: Handguns must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. This does not include the utility or glove compartment.Colorado: Handguns may be transported concealed only in vehicles within the stateConnecticut: Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926ADistrict of Columbia: Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)Delaware: No concealed firearms. It must be carried openly in the vehicle such as on the seat or dash.Florida: Firearms need to be securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate useGeorgia: Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun in a vehicleHawaii: Not permittedIowa: Handguns must be unloaded and inside a closed and fastened container which is too large to be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the handgun will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle (724.4(f))Idaho: "Deadly Weapon"(s) can be concealed in a vehicle.Illinois: If you can legally carry a concealed firearm in your home state you can carry a loaded concealed firearm within your vehicle. Long guns must remain unloaded and cased. Otherwise be in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)Indiana: Handguns must be unloaded, not readily accessible, and secured in a caseKansas: Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm can carry it openly or concealed in or out of a vehicle in KansasKentucky: Handguns, loaded or unloaded, may be kept in plain view or in any factory-installed enclosed container or compartment such as a glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket. KRS 527.020Louisiana: Firearms may be carried openly or in the glove compartment, console, or trunk of vehicle.Massachusetts: Unloaded guns may be in vehicles if secured in the trunk or in a locked case or other secure containerMaryland: Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)Maine: Anyone 21+ may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicleMichigan: Handguns need to be unloaded and in a closed case designed for the storage of firearms in the trunk of the vehicle or in a place not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicleMinnesota: Handguns must be unloaded, and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package (624.714)Missouri: A weapon may be carried anywhere in a vehicleMississippi: Anyone 18+ can carry a firearm within the confines of any motor vehicleMontana: Montana has no prohibitions against carrying a weapon in a motor vehicleNorth Carolina: Firearms are legal when they are openly displayed OR in a locked glove box, locked console, or in the trunkNorth Dakota: Firearms must be secured, meaning closed into a trunk or nonpassenger part of the vehicle or rendered inoperative. ND residents of 1 year or more can carry an unsecured firearmNebraska: There is no state restriction relating to unloaded handguns in plain sight but local ordinances may require the firearm being securely encasedNew Hampshire: Handguns are lawful loaded or unloaded, open or concealed, by resident or non-resident within a vehicleNew Jersey: No firearms in vehicles in NJ without a valid NJ permit / licenseNew Mexico: Handguns may be loaded and concealed in vehicleNevada: Loaded handguns are lawful if not "on the person." Under a seat, in a glove box, or on top of a seat are NOT considered "on the person." Loaded long guns are illegal.New York: No firearms in vehicles in NY without a valid NY permit / licenseOhio: Handguns must be not accessible to the operator or any passenger w/o leaving the vehicle and must be unloaded, and carried in a closed package or in plain sight within a holster or on a rack.Oklahoma: Any firearm can be transported in a vehicle so long as it is unloaded and in plain view.Oregon: Loaded handguns are ok so long as they are not concealed and not readily accessible unless in a locality with different lawsPennsylvania: In the absence of a valid license to carry firearms, one can now carry a loaded firearm, in one’s vehicle, provided the firearm is not concealed on his/her person and is not in PhiladelphiaRhode Island: Handguns allowed in vehicle if you possess a valid license or permit from any other state that allows you to carry a handgun in a vehicleSouth Carolina: A person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from carrying a firearm may lawfully store a firearm anywhere in a vehicle whether occupied or unoccuplied.South Dakota: Handguns may be in a vehicle of a non-permittee when they are in the trunk or other closed compartment or a closed container too large to be effectively concealed on the person or within the person's clothing.Tennessee: Loaded firearms can be carried openly or concealed in a private vehicle so long as it is not "on the person"Texas: Loaded handguns allowed if concealedUtah: Loaded handguns may be concealed or open in the vehicleVirginia: Handguns must be secured in a container or compartment within the vehicle. Consoles, glove compartments, or other areas within or on the vehicle that can be closed meets the qualificationsVermont: Loaded handguns allowed in vehicle. Long guns must be unloadedWashington: Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60)Wisconsin: Handguns must be in plain sight and above the window lineWest Virginia: Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm may have it in a vehicleWyoming: Handguns must be in plain sight and not on your person. Wyoming residents may carry concealed on the person. AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWY
Permitted Partial Restricted Informational

Showing 51 states

State Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit Status
Alabama Anyone 19 years of age or older who can legally possess a firearm under State and Federal Law can carry a firearm in Alabama without a permit. Those with a permit issued by any state can carry at 18. Permitted
Alaska Any person who can legally own a firearm can possess a loaded handgun openly or concealed in a vehicle Permitted
Arizona Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicle Permitted
Arkansas Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun concealed in a vehicle Permitted
California Handguns must be unloaded and stored in a locked container. This does not include the utility or glove compartment. Restricted
Colorado Handguns may be transported concealed only in vehicles within the state Permitted
Connecticut Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance
with 18 USC 926A		 Restricted
Delaware No concealed firearms. It must be carried openly in the vehicle such as on the seat or dash. Restricted
District of Columbia Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60) Informational
Florida Firearms need to be securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use Informational
Georgia Any person who can legally own a handgun can possess a loaded handgun in a vehicle Permitted
Hawaii Not permitted Restricted
Idaho "Deadly Weapon"(s) can be concealed in a vehicle. Permitted
Illinois If you can legally carry a concealed firearm in your home state you can carry a loaded concealed firearm within your vehicle. Long guns must remain unloaded and cased. Otherwise be in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60) Informational
Indiana Handguns must be unloaded, not readily accessible, and secured in a case Restricted
Iowa Handguns must be unloaded and inside a closed and fastened container which is too large to be concealed on the person or inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the handgun will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle (724.4(f)) Restricted
Kansas Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm can carry it openly or concealed in or out of a vehicle in Kansas Permitted
Kentucky Handguns, loaded or unloaded, may be kept in plain view or in any factory-installed enclosed container or compartment such as a glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket. KRS 527.020 Informational
Louisiana Firearms may be carried openly or in the glove compartment, console, or trunk of vehicle. Informational
Maine Anyone 21+ may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle Permitted
Maryland Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60) Restricted
Massachusetts Unloaded guns may be in vehicles if secured in the trunk or in a locked case or other secure container Restricted
Michigan Handguns need to be unloaded and in a closed case designed for the storage of firearms in the trunk of the vehicle or in a place not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle Permitted
Minnesota Handguns must be unloaded, and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package (624.714) Informational
Mississippi Anyone 18+ can carry a firearm within the confines of any motor vehicle Permitted
Missouri A weapon may be carried anywhere in a vehicle Permitted
Montana Montana has no prohibitions against carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle Informational
Nebraska There is no state restriction relating to unloaded handguns in plain sight but local ordinances may require the firearm being securely encased Restricted
Nevada Loaded handguns are lawful if not "on the person." Under a seat, in a glove box, or on top of a seat are NOT considered "on the person." Loaded long guns are illegal. Restricted
New Hampshire Handguns are lawful loaded or unloaded, open or concealed, by resident or non-resident within a vehicle Permitted
New Jersey No firearms in vehicles in NJ without a valid NJ permit / license Restricted
New Mexico Handguns may be loaded and concealed in vehicle Permitted
New York No firearms in vehicles in NY without a valid NY permit / license Restricted
North Carolina Firearms are legal when they are openly displayed OR in a locked glove box, locked console, or in the trunk Permitted
North Dakota Firearms must be secured, meaning closed into a trunk or nonpassenger part of the vehicle or rendered inoperative. ND residents of 1 year or more can carry an unsecured firearm Restricted
Ohio Handguns must be not accessible to the operator or any passenger w/o leaving the vehicle and must be unloaded, and carried in a closed package or in plain sight within a holster or on a rack. Informational
Oklahoma Any firearm can be transported in a vehicle so long as it is unloaded and in plain view. Restricted
Oregon Loaded handguns are ok so long as they are not concealed and not readily accessible unless in a locality with different laws Restricted
Pennsylvania In the absence of a valid license to carry firearms, one can now carry a loaded firearm, in one’s vehicle, provided the firearm is not concealed on his/her person and is not in Philadelphia Informational
Rhode Island Handguns allowed in vehicle if you possess a valid license or permit from any other state that allows you to carry a handgun in a vehicle Restricted
South Carolina A person who is not otherwise prohibited by law from carrying a firearm may lawfully store a firearm anywhere in a vehicle whether occupied or unoccuplied. Permitted
South Dakota Handguns may be in a vehicle of a non-permittee when they are in the trunk or other closed compartment or a closed container too large to be effectively concealed on the person or within the person's clothing. Permitted
Tennessee Loaded firearms can be carried openly or concealed in a private vehicle so long as it is not "on the person" Permitted
Texas Loaded handguns allowed if concealed Permitted
Utah Loaded handguns may be concealed or open in the vehicle Informational
Vermont Loaded handguns allowed in vehicle. Long guns must be unloaded Permitted
Virginia Handguns must be secured in a container or compartment within the vehicle. Consoles, glove compartments, or other areas within or on the vehicle that can be closed meets the qualifications Permitted
Washington Handgun carry in vehicle prohibited except when in compliance with 18 USC 926A (see page 60) Informational
West Virginia Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm may have it in a vehicle Permitted
Wisconsin Handguns must be in plain sight and above the window line Informational
Wyoming Handguns must be in plain sight and not on your person. Wyoming residents may carry concealed on the person. Permitted
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.

Related articles

vehicle

Akron Road Rage Shooting: What This Defensive Gun Use Teaches Concealed Carriers

A DoorDash driver in Akron, Ohio returned fire after occupants of a stolen vehicle shot through his windshield…

Read more →

vehicle

Real-World Testing Reveals Critical Safety Issues with Car Holsters

Are car holsters viable for staging a handgun in a vehicle? Are some better than others? A team…

Read more →

vehicle

They’re Coming for Your Car: The Alarming Rise in Gun Thefts from Vehicles

Gun thefts from vehicles are up 31% while home thefts drop. Learn why gun-free zones contribute to the…

Read more →

View all articles tagged “vehicle” →