--- In ArkansasShooters@yahoogroups.com, "www.bigpaul"
<www.bigpaul@...> wrote:
>
> coming from a dummy.what are the laws about carrying a handgun in your
> vehicle ?
>
If you do not have a CCW permit from the state, you would be under the
'journey' law. That is pretty vague, but if ever caught with the
weapon during a traffic stop---they would have to prove you were
intending to use it as a weapon. That is to do harm in actions. Like
stated before---it depends on whom you ask. A 'journey' as put to me
by a legal adviser is: any time you travel outside your normal circle
of friends or family, or your regular daily activities (scheduled).
I've also been told it was any trip over 20 miles from your abode.
Generally speaking----there is also an unwritten five step rule that
some local law enforcement agencies use in determining the condition
of the firearm as to the owner's disposition for carrying. The
firearm must not be loaded. This means empty chamber, no magazine.
The magazine or speedloader will be kept separate from the firearm.
Examples of the three step rule for pistols is as follows: Retrieve
pistol from under the drivers seat or glove compartment (count one),
retrieve magazine or speedloader from it's location (count two), open
cylinder [revolvers], or rack the slide [semi autos](count three),
insert live rounds from speedloader, or insert magazine (count four),
close cylinder or release the slide (count five). If you follow these
'unwritten' rules in your 'other than legal but not illegal' choice to
carry, then you will likely be okay in the eyes of the law. Take my
word only for the experience from my traffic stop in 1995 with a 357
revolver under the front seat, and two speed loaders in the glove box.
The involved police department did confiscate my gun, and I picked it
up at the police station a week later. I'm sure they did some
research on it via serial number or national check. At the time, one
of the officers suggested I seek an Arkansas concealed weapons permit.
In 2000 I did just that. If you would qualify for a CCW permit--I'd
suggest the same thing for you. Otherwise---there may be that day
when the LEA isn't lookig at things from your point of view. Be safe.