2018 Traveler’s Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States

by
posted on March 23, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
firearm_book_lede.jpg

The standard in the realm of firearm law for the layman, the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States, now in its 22nd year, is meticulously updated annually by J. Scott Kappas, Esq., an attorney in private practice who endeavors to keep his readers consistently abreast of the nation’s ever-changing laws governing gun use, transport, and carry.

A brief overview of the 68 page text leaves one in little doubt as to why over 1,000,000 copies have been sold since 1997. Despite having a price point of only $14.95, the book is a veritable goldmine of practically useful information concerning: the carry of firearms in a motor vehicle, concealed carry reciprocity, and firearm law preemption, along with a plethora of additional subcategories.

This year’s edition alone features over 100 updates, newly elucidated segments (50 to be exact) on carrying in hotels by state, and a fresh page format to improve ease of reading and reference.

Given the haphazard manner in which firearm laws seem to change in the U.S., one particularly innovative feature is the linking of the book to a website, www.gunlawguide.com, which is continually updated with changes in state permit reciprocity, to keep readers as informed as possible between print editions. Hopefully of course, this reciprocity section will soon become null and void, with the Concealed-Carry Reciprocity Act already having passed the House, now only needing a positive vote in the Senate. But in the meantime, this portion is invaluable for any traveler concerned with self-defense.

For its more internationally minded readers, the Traveler’s Guide includes segments on taking guns to America’s neighbors: Canada and Mexico. Though the segment on Mexico could be easily summed up into one word: don’t; the information relayed to readers on Canada is very helpful, as though the country is very restrictive, the carry of firearms into the country is still possible if one is willing to meticulously traverse some exhaustive rigmarole. Given the popularity of Canada as a hunting destination, this could definitely come in handy to a number of readers, as could the portion educating readers on how to prove the guns they are reentering the United States with are in fact their own.

As mentioned, the Traveler’s Guide is available for $14.95 (price including Bulk Mail Shipping), at www.gunlawguide.com/shop. Pick yours up today.

Latest

Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1
Rem Wethepeople America250 Jun2026 1

Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers

Remington’s We the People 250th Anniversary ammunition is now shipping nationwide, a 2026-only commemorative run across rifle, handgun, rimfire and shotshell loads.

Kansas and Texas Headline Team Titles at 2026 4-H Shooting Sports Nationals

Kansas and Texas each claimed two team titles at the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, which drew nearly 700 competitors to Nebraska.

XS Sights Adds Pre-Drilled Fiber Optic Sights for Smith & Wesson Revolvers

XS Sights now offers pre-drilled fiber optic sights for Smith & Wesson J-, K- and L-frame revolvers, installable without custom gunsmithing.

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt’s Bianchi Cup Experience

NRA Youth Ambassador Jackson Schmidt shares his first Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament, where he won Junior Rimfire division and placed third in Junior Centerfire.

Review: Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm FFP

A review of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10X 24 mm optic, a first focal plane LPVO built for multigun and IPSC Rifle competition.

Remington Performance Wheelgun 22 Rimfire Built for Classic Revolvers

Remington’s Performance Wheelgun 22 rimfire load is shipping nationwide, a 39-grain subsonic .22 LR cartridge built for classic revolvers and plinking.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.