Curious question.

Since I'm driving back to Iowa next month I was curious about carrying guns in a car. Nebraska's laws are very vague. What do you all make of this? it would seem to be illegal to have a gun hidden in your car, and within reach, but out in plain site would be ok.

Carrying
It is unlawful to ``carry'' a firearm ``concealed on or about the person.''

It is an affirmative defense that the accused was, at the time of carrying, engaged in any lawful business, calling or employment, and the circumstances in which such person was placed at the time were such as to justify a prudent person in carrying concealed for the defense of his person, property or family.

There is no statutory provision for obtaining a license or permit to carry a concealed handgun.

To be considered concealed a handgun must be out of sight and readily accessible. Handguns in a closed glove compartment are considered readily accessible; however, a handgun in a locked glove compartment is generally considered not readily accessible.

Shotguns in a vehicle must be unloaded in chamber and magazine.

Any firearm carried in a snowmobile must be unloaded and cased.

It is unlawful to carry or possess a firearm in a game preserve, refuge or sanctuary. An exception is made for transporting firearms by road through the game preserve, refuge or sanctuary, provided the firearms are unloaded and cased or not readily accessible.

It would seem Iowa's laws don't allow a loaded weapon in your car at all. It's good to live in Colorado.

Carrying
It is unlawful if a person ``goes armed'' with a handgun or any loaded firearm of any kind within the limits of any city, whether concealed or not. It is also unlawful to go armed with a handgun concealed on or about one's person or to knowingly carry or transport a handgun in a vehicle.

Exceptions to the above prohibition are:

1. Carrying in a dwelling, place of business, or on land owned or possessed by the person.
2. Peace officers, correctional officers, members of the armed forces, or persons in the service of the United States when carrying weapons in connection with their duties.
3. Carrying an unloaded handgun or other firearm for any lawful purpose inside a closed and fastened container or securely wrapped package which is too large to be concealed on the person.
4. Carrying or transporting an unloaded handgun in any vehicle inside a cargo or luggage compartment where the handgun will not be readily accessible to any person riding in the vehicle or common carrier.
5. Carrying openly while engaged in target practice on a range designed for that purpose or while actually engaged in lawful hunting.
6. Possessors of a valid permit to carry a handgun whose conduct is within the limits of that permit.

Rifles and shotguns carried in vehicles must be unloaded in the chamber and magazine and must be either encased or broken down.

Being From Iowa,i Can Tell You That It Is Best To Have All Firearms Cased And Out Of The Passenger Compartment. This Is Also True For Nebraska. Most States Do Not Share The Views Of Western States. Have A Good Trip.

I road trip with my Bushy M-4gery and five mags in a case with the mag pouches on the inside. I have trucked thru many hotel lobbies without a second look. I figure that if I have to get that sucker out, possession is the least of my problems. " Why do you have that? Did you ever see Texas Chainsaw Massacre? They didn't have one of those."

In December 2005 I road tripped with my Remington 870, with 10 round extended magazine, and top folding stock in the back seat of my pick up. I went from Boulder, to San Antonio, all across I-10 down the South Florida. Then trucked up I-95 all the way to New Jersey/New York, and then back to Boulder.

How much do you want to bet that shotgun wasn't legal in some of the states I traveled through?

Then, just last year, I drove out to New Jersey with my Beretta 92, with two 15 round mags. How much would you like to bet New Jersey law enforcement wouldn't be too keen on that?

The point is to be discreet about it, what they don't know won't hurt them ( or you for that matter. )

Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6, right?

Ya I was researching to see how I'll bring my gun to Iowa with me.
Colorado = easy
Nebraska = not too hard, just take out the mag and lock it in the glove box.
Iowa = don't go through Waterloo at night 'cus your gun would be too hard to get too when the homies start shooting.

I guess Iowa legislators aren't worried about people protecting themselves from them dangerous gangsta farmers! Just don't stand next to a corn farmer, when a hog farmer goes all ghetto on him and pops a cap in his chickens.