can anybody tell me if its illegal to have a gun in your car?
Depends on your state and your need for a license.
It all depends on the laws in your state and sometimes county and city. Colorado passed a law that counties and cities cannot circumvent state law so it is fairly easy here. Other states may not be so easy.
This is one of the main reasons I got a permit here in WA, so I can carry a loaded, ready-to-use firearm in the car without separating ammunition, etc.
What state?
In Arizona for example, you could have an arsenal in your front seat. Sling a rifle over your shoulder and a strap a pistol on your hip when you get out of the car. As long as you can legally own the gun, you can carry it openly or concealed with no permit needed.
< can anybody tell me if its illegal to have a gun in your car?
Depends on the state and if it’s visible or not. In Texas you can have a weapon in your vehicle as long as its not in plain sight / concealed. I keep one handy just in case these days. If you get pulled over and the police have reason to search your car it might be a good idea to let them know it’s there.
It is estimated that 50% of the cars and 80% of the bikers are LEGALLY armed in the mostly conservative and very gun friendly state of Arizona. These protesters are playing with fire in Phoenix
In Texas, you’re permitted to carry a loaded pistol in your car (withing reach) as long as it isn’t visible. Loaded rifles and shotguns are legal to openly display. All without a CHL.
Until you are very, very familiar with your state and local firearms laws you have no business carrying one around in your car.
You do that in New York and you are going to jail. You do that in Georgia or most anyplace in the southern states and it is visible likely you are just fine except in certain cities like Raleigh or Chapel Hill, NC. There you can go to jail.
Familiarize yourself with the laws that apply where you live and travel. Get a conceal carry permit and you usually can have one in your car and it not be laying out on the seat, that covers you legally. But if ever stopped by the police the first thing you say is "Officer, I have a conceal carry permit and I am armed. My weapon is located at X (in glove box, in door pocket, in holster on my right hip, or what ever is correct. All the time keeping both of your hands on a wide open window sill. Wait till the officer gives you instructions as to what he wants you to do. Don't move your hands without being instructed to do so and then exactly as instructed.
Check the laws of your state.