By Chuck Woodbury
PUBLISHER
Through the years, dating back to when we operated RVbookstore.com (the largest seller of books about RVing at the time), this book has been our all-time best seller. And now, the 2024 edition is hot off the press.
The Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States has been published annually in early January since 1997. For RVers who carry a firearm with them when they travel from state to state, it is considered an essential reference to be read ahead of departure and then as a quick refresher while on the road.
Our surveys through the years have revealed that about half of RVtravel.com readers carry a firearm. For some, it’s for self-protection; for others, it’s for hunting or target shooting. Regardless, a routine traffic stop for a speeding violation could turn into a nightmare journey through the criminal justice system if the traveler isn’t aware of the proper way to carry or transport his firearms. The fact is, what is legal in one state may be a felony in another that could land the traveler in jail.
The book is not simply a restatement of the statutes. It is an easily readable narrative designed to unlock the complexities of state firearm laws. Readers agree, the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States is indispensable for staying on the road and out of jail.
Attorney J. Scott Kappas uses case law and statutory authority to render plain English advice as to how a traveler should carry firearms while visiting each of the 50 states. More than 2 million copies of this reference have been sold since it was first published. The new edition is now available on Amazon.com.
Topics covered in this edition:
Sadly Chuck, Amazon only carries the dead-tree version of this book. This is the type of information I prefer to have in electronic form where I can easily access it pretty much anywhere at anytime.
The book is available in .pdf format for immediate download – and costs $4 less than the Amazon order. I know RVTravel won’t pick up the referral revenue from Amazon, so maybe you can push the book’s publisher to reach some agreement on an electronic sale via Amazon?
I agree. Also, I just got this book (2023) just a few Months ago. Having a new one every year is a pain. I will not be purchasing another one. If I have to buy one every year, not worth it to me. Will find alternate means.
Jim, there is no convenient way for us to offer the book’s e-version. Considering the importance of complying with the gun laws of a new state where an RVer might be entering, I think having a printed reference that can be quickly referenced is wise. But, bottom line, we think the book is important for firearm-carrying RVer and most will buy it from Amazon with its free shipping for Prime members rather than to a source they do not know. This is too hard to adequately explain in a short comment like this.
I also agree. But an electronic version could be sold by Amazon as a Kindle version which I can read Kindle on either my smart phone or a Kindle and I would know exactly where it is. I do not need another stapled group of paper pages to get misplaced, have coffee spilled on, or whatever else that would affect my ability to access the information. And I wouldn’t take offense to paying the author the same price for an electronic version as I would for a paper version. It is for the reasons stated above that I have gone without this helpful information and will continue to go without it until an electronic version is available.
There are several free apps for your phone which provide the same info and can be updated regularly. Of course, theoretically, the most reliable would come from the various LE agencies in each state. This is why universal carry permitting is such an issue – just like universally accepted drivers licenses.
Trump let us down by not implementing the universal gun carry permit.
Thanks for the link! I prefer digital as well and don’t patronize Amazon anyway.
You realize there are trees planted specifically for paper these days? Tech has come a long way, stop hating. 😉
Thank you, Chuck! 🙂
I have the Concealed Carry for some 40 different states. Sadly the plague and forest fires along with both my rig and my bod aging I’m back down to maybe 6 states.
About 2 years ago, I read an article in an RV publication that challenged my thinking. I don’t need to kill someone, just defend my property and family. I also don’ t need to go to jail or have a long trial. Enter Byrna. I understand that it is a polarizing item. Some people like it some don’t. For my situation it works and can legally go across state lines. It is an effective deterrent.
My issue with Byrna is carrying a non lethal weapon that looks like a lethal weapon.
Kinda like the old saying never bring a knife to a gunfight.
Hold the presses. I just read that California is re-defining concealed carry. It looks like CC is Ok as long as you don’t leave your living room. It’s a moot point, however, as California will probably ban gasoline and diesel by next week.
I must be missing something because I really don’t understand how this publication is of ANY value. Clearly, the book can be used to let you know if you are breaking the law as you cross state lines. However, the problem is that I don’t know anyone that can always guarantee that they will never cross into the wrong state, AND, I don’t any anyone that has any way to ditch their gun while in the wrong state.
So, what am I missing?
If the publication has any value at all, it seems that publication at least highlights the critical need for a universal carry law (that is sorely needed in our mobile society)!
Gun laws seem to change faster than books can be printed to keep up with them. Before every trip I read the current laws in each State we will be traveling through online at Handgunlaw.us It’s kept up to date and accurate. https://handgunlaw.us
I came here to say this.
I looked at the ‘book’ Chuck cited and came away with two issues:
1) It’s *very* expensive for a 67 page pamphlet, and
2) It’s not available for Kindle, or in PDF, so I can’t use it with my phone/tablet/laptop.
Handgunlaw.us does a fine job of summarizing the various restrictions in various jurisdictions. And addresses both my gripes about the book Chuck cites.
The easiest way is I make sure I never go to ANY state that doesn’t recognize my God-given, not state-given, right to defend myself and family. Not one penny of my money, or my time, will be spent in those places. Plenty of other beautiful places to take our RV to without going to any of those states.
Thank you, Chuck! We don’t travel with guns, but if we ever have occasion to do so, we’ll get this. Thank you! 🙂
I’ve read about the call for a universal carry permit, and given the current (more political than anything else) environment, won’t hold my breath. Licensing is a State’s Rights issue. However, if you domicile in Michigan, that state has reciprocity licensing with 47 other states, making my CC license valid in all but New York and Illinois. And I still have a federal right to transport my handgun (under stringent rules) through those states on my way elsewhere.
I’m fortunate enough to be a retired LEO and I have a law enforcement officers safety act (LEOSA) permit as well as a state issued CCW permit. The LEOSA permit allows for nationwide carry with some common sense restrictions. The only drawback is you have to qualify annually for the permit to be valid but it’s a nice perk from the job.
Apparently this book does a good job with laws for carrying guns, but laws covering self defense, the reason one would carry a weapon, can better be followed by Anderew Branca’s book, “ Law of SelfDefense. “ it can be ordered from his website , lawofselfdefense.com. Because laws are interpreted by the courts and sometimes different from what the law makers intended. So this would be a nice addition to the above mentioned book, as Andrew is the nations leading self defense authority.
My issue is Canada. Seems I can’t carry a handgun but I can carry a bazooka. Long guns are considered a wilderness survival weapon
Many may disagree but it’s also why we are losing our rights and freedoms but you only need the 2nd amendment to carry a weapon. Period. So called states laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable. Not legal laws nor just. Laws are not always right. Legal isn’t necessarily right anymore than illegal is necessarily wrong. Remember that. But don’t forget your constitutional right to bear arms and they shall not be Infringed!
And remember, common sense isn’t what the average American gun owner lacks, it’s evil people that lack morals, respect and any sense that use violence upon others, with a gun, knife or fist. Stop parroting support for “common sense” measures that stop nothing.