I thought I was doing everything right.

Took the class. Got the permit. Bought the holster.

Even practiced at the range every other weekend.

Then came that Sunday trip to visit my in-laws two states over.

At a gas station stop just outside the border, a local officer pulled us over for a broken taillight. No big deal.

Until I mentioned I was carrying.

That’s when everything flipped.

The officer asked me to step out. I did, calmly. I told him I had a valid concealed carry permit.

But my permit wasn’t recognized in that state.

I was detained. Disarmed. Arrested. Right there in front of my wife and my 7-year-old daughter who started crying when they cuffed me.

I spent 14 hours in a holding cell before they let me go.

The worst part?

It could’ve all been avoided if I had known the laws.

If I had just taken two minutes to check this free map that breaks down what’s legal and what’s not—state by state.

I had no idea how different the laws are from one state to another. Or how fast it can all go wrong even if you’re a responsible, law-abiding permit holder.

If you carry—whether it’s for protection, preparedness, or peace of mind—don’t make the same mistake I did.