Pennsylvania
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis automatic reciprocity for vehicle carry- see below
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: firearms must be transported in a securely locked and unloaded fashion in the
vehicle trunk or storage compartment unless one possesses a valid state permit
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9995
Vehicle carry of rifles, shotguns and handguns is strictly regulated. To carry a loaded or concealed firearm in a vehicle one must
possess a Pennsylvania carry permit or an equivalent permit issued by another state. Pennsylvania recognizes any valid
out-of-state carry permit for a firearm so long as the holder of the permit restricts his firearms carry to the interior of his vehicle.
Carry outside one's vehicle is limited to travelers who possess permits from states which have been specifically recognized by
the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Travelers should contact the A.G.'s office to verify the status of their out-of-state permit if
they intend to carry outside their vehicles.
Non-licensed individuals may only transport a firearm in a locked container, secured in the trunk or external storage compartment
and apart from any ammunition which may be in the vehicle as well. Unlicensed carry of a firearm in a vehicle is a felony in
Pennsylvania. Travelers should be especially careful of taking too cavalier an attitude toward the law. When in doubt, all
firearms should be secured in the trunk in an unloaded and locked condition.
Pennsylvania has a preemption act which prevents localities from regulating the carry, possession and purchase of firearms.
However, the traveler should be aware that first class cities such as Philadelphia have special regulations passed by the
legislature which only effect them. For example, open carry of any firearm is prohibited in the public areas of the city. Travelers
to gun shows should be particularly mindful of this regulation.
Rhode Island
Concealed carry: concealed carry permits issued to residents and non-residents on a highly discretionary basis,
limited reciprocity for non-residents with carry permits from their home states (see below)
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: state preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: permit required for transportation of handguns through state; unlicensed
individuals may transport handguns if weapon is securely wrapped, unloaded and stored in trunk,
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wyoming.
Attorney General�s Office
150 S. Main Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 274-4400
Vehicle carry of loaded handguns is strictly limited to those individuals who have Rhode Island concealed carry permits. Such
permits are issued to residents and non-residents alike. However, Rhode Island is a "may issue" state in which local officials
have discretion over who may receive a license. Individuals with permits issued by other states may carry a handgun in their
vehicle�s passenger compartment if they are simply passing through the state on an uninterrupted journey and do not intend to
stay within the state for any extended period. Rhode Island police are generally not receptive to firearm carry in any part of the
passenger compartment by non-licensed individuals.
South Carolina
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a discretionary basis; reciprocity available for non-residents with carry
permits from certain other states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: state preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: loaded handguns may be carried in a closed trunk or glove compartment by
non-licensed individuals, rifles and shotguns may be loaded while in the trunk or unloaded and cased while in the
passenger compartment
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma,
Wyoming, Utah.
Attorney General�s Office
P.O. Box 11549
Columbia, SC 29211-1549
(803) 734-3970
Vehicle carry of a loaded handgun is permitted if the weapon is contained in the glove compartment or trunk. Loaded firearms of
any type may not be carried in recreational areas or parks. South Carolina restricts handgun carry on one's person (concealed or
unconcealed) to certain specific conditions. The traveler who does not possess a recognized permit to carry may only carry a
handgun on his person if it is unloaded and secured in a package or locked case.
South Carolina issues concealed carry licenses (which also permit open carry) to residents on a shall issue basis. The law was
recently modified to provide conditional reciprocity for out-of-state carry permits. Out-of-state residents who possess concealed
carry permits from their home states will only be granted reciprocity in South Carolina if the home state requires equal or greater
standards for issuance than South Carolina. South Carolina is required to publish a list of states that have permit issuance
systems acceptable for reciprocity purposes. Travelers should contact the Attorney General for more information.
South Dakota
Concealed carry: licenses granted on a "shall issue" basis, no reciprocity available for non-residents with carry
permits from their home states
Handgun ownership: unrestricted, no permit or license required
Firearm law uniformity: state preemption act, firearm laws uniform throughout state
Vehicle carry and transportation: handguns must be unloaded and carried in the trunk or other closed
compartment of the vehicle, loaded rifles and shotguns may be carried in a vehicle passenger area
States that Recognize this State's Permit: Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan.
Attorney General�s Office
500 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-3215
Handguns may be transported in a vehicle if they are unloaded and secured in the trunk or other closed compartment. A locked
container specifically designed for transporting a handgun is also acceptable if it is too large for any viable concealment on one's
person.
South Dakota grants concealed carry permits to qualified citizens on a "shall issue" basis. The permit allows an individual to carry
a loaded handgun in a vehicle as well as concealed on one's person. South Dakota only issues licenses to residents of the state.
No reciprocity currently exists for non-residents with concealed carry permits from their home states to carry concealed in South
Dakota. However, open carry of a handgun in a visible belt holster while on foot is not specifically prohibited by statute.
South Dakota's firearm laws are uniform throughout the state. A state preemption act prevents localities from enacting their own
laws affecting the ownership, possession and carry of firearms. Travelers can rest assured that the same law that applies in the
countryside applies in the city as well.
