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There are millions of miles of paved American roads out there for you to discover. Better yet, there’s similarly no shortage of motorcycle ages, styles, and models to choose as your trusty road partner. However, if you want to hit those open roads with an open carry gun on your person, you might want to know your state and local laws. 

As long as your state permits open carry or permitless carry, you are allowed to carry a gun on your motorcycle

Regardless of how you feel about gun ownership, it’s likely your right as a law-abiding American to own a firearm. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. For instance, Americans with a felony conviction or a history of mental illness may not have the legal right to own a firearm at all, let alone carry one on a Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, or Ducati. 

However, if you’re legally allowed to own a firearm and you live in a state that allows permitless carry, you’re likely fine carrying your weapon in plain view. According to the USCCA, states with permissive open carry laws allow open carry without a license, like Texas and Virginia. However, California and New York forbid open carry in public. And yes, that means on your bike. It’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re not breaking any of your state or local laws pertaining to firearms and transporting firearms on your motorcycle.

But you might want to think twice about how you carry a firearm on your trusty steed

Just because you have the legal right to open carry a gun on your motorcycle doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. For instance, I had a compatriot who used to ride with a K-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver in a shoulder holster. Questions of retention aside, he had a bit of a nasty crash a few years ago. Without question, the stainless steel revolver persevered over the integrity of his ribs. Ouch. Now he can laugh about it. But when it happened, he was in a miserable state.

Concerns about breaking bones are one thing. But your holster might not have sufficient retention to hold your firearm in place at highway speeds. Typically, a level 1 Kydex holster doesn’t provide the same locking features as other, more complicated holsters. I don’t have to tell you that it’s a bad day when you drop your firearm on a highway.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).