I recently completed building a .300 BLK AR pistol (8" bbl.), with the intent of using it for home defense and to toss into the SUV for travel. I did a little research online and confirmed that registered/approved suppressors are legal in 42 of the 50 states (assuming we don't make Canada our 51st state!), and that no ATF notification of travel is required whether driving or flying. It was suggested to travel with a copy of the ATF approval form just in case some well meaning LEO decides to do a search. Also, since a suppressor is considered a "firearm", it should be properly secured during travel. However, I want to have quick access to my pistol should the need arise (God forbid!), so it will be zipper cased and sitting in the back seat of the SUV. I try to never leave a firearm unattended in my vehicle, so I may add a lockable box with cable lock to my packing list.

Attached Images

	IMG_1255.jpg (101.5 KB, 66 views)
	IMG_1223.jpg (69.1 KB, 93 views)

I carry a copy of the tax stamp for the suppressor wherever I go with the suppressor; and a picture of it on my phone should I not be able to find the paper. I would definitely avoid states where suppressors are not approved. That butt stock (brace) might be more of an issue in some jurisdictions as there's still a fair amount of confusion I think as to what the legality of them is on an AR pistol. And the 30 round magazine too, some states have laws making those illegal even though they're ok with suppressors; Colorado for example.

That's a great combination you have though, add a thermal scope and you're in business for serious pig hunting in Texas.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Not saying you don't have right to do that, and it might be perfectly legal in whatever states you are in.

BUT(large but) I think you are letting yourself in for the possibilities of a bit of a hassle if you are stopped and asked the "ARE you carrying any weapons"? Yes, I have a 300 BO pistol, suppressed with the loaded magazines in a case in the back seat.

I was always a pretty reasonable cop, 2A friendly, always thought maybe some good citizen might save my bacon some time.
That being said, even I would be going over everything about you with a fine tooth comb if a stop occurred. Especially if you were from out of state. Do you have any ex-wife thats in the state, stuff like that. Thats just not the normal type weapon people travel with. Not a hunting rifle ,competition gun, or concealed carry type gun. I mean if you get out at the rest stop at 0100 to go to the bathroom and wash your face, are you going to sling it up, probably not. Also, would be better in a hard bolted down case in the far back of your SUV.

Not saying you will be wrongly arrested or anything. Just saying you should be aware that this would probably bring a bit more attention than, yes, I have a 9mm pistol. Not every state is Fl. or TX. Most cops probably have to check if transporting a suppressor is legal or not, just something you don't run into everyday. So you may get delayed a bit. And yes I know IT shouldn't be that way, but I am telling you that is how it is. Good luck..

Not to hi-jack this thread, but the above is good advice, thank you. As you stated, it shouldn't be this way but in some cases it is. I too have an AR Pistol for home defense and ironically just have it on a trip with me (no suppressor), my thought was, as crazy as things are and can get, I rather have it with me and not need it, than need it and not have it with me. I'm a young 70 years old and have seen quite a bit of change in my lifetime. I hope things change for the better for my Grand Children's sake and yours.

I guess I want to ask why do you need a suppressor?

I could be wrong on this, but aside from the general statutes, I believe I would check the motor vehicle laws. Sometimes they differ from the general state statues, and can be more stringent.

That just looks like a professional hitman's tool IMO, and not something that is encountered every day. Back in the day, I might have taken that with me down to the station, and told you to pick it up at your favorite FFL in your own state. And of course you have a 30 round mag, and a loaded spare right?

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

That is a nice build!

FWIW, I think CALREB makes some excellent points. Your pistol has several features that could arouse some unwanted attention under certain circumstances in some states. It's difficult to know how well informed any LEO may be regarding your platform and it's legality in the particular jurisdiction in which you may find yourself.

Securing your pistol when away from your vehicle is, of course, prudent, but with what are you planning to be armed when you are away from that secured firearm?

I can understand having a can on it because if one had to use such a platform, the odds really unpleasant blast/noise are high. Use it in your closed vehicle? Oh dear. That said - my travel long gun will mostly be the .357 lever gun as much I would prefer an AR. The average sheeple will be less likely to have fit if they see it. I spend a lot of time courtrooms, so I am always thinking of related stuff.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

I have a similar setup, only mine is an SBR. That opens up a whole 'nother can 'o worms when it comes to traveling. Thus, mine, suppressor and SBR, remain at home in the safe when I travel.

__________________
Only a cold warrior

Have both, SBR and Suppressors.

Last thing I want while traveling with someplace to be, is to be explaining to a LEO who might be not versed on the ins and outs of these items, on the side of some interstate.

Yeah, I know it’s legal, but do they, and I already have a hotel room waiting for me without bars on it.

Don’t need the potential money, nor hassle of a lawsuit.

I prefer to KISS.

__________________
I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

To the OP: I wouldn't even consider bringing a setup like that out of state. It makes no sense, and seems like a poor defensive tool in any case.

Go with a standard 9mm pistol or a lever action rifle, as mentioned above.

THIS. (I was a cop for 50 years)

Sometimes I wonder what Patrick Henry would make of what we've become.

But I'm pretty sure I know.

Folks offered a lot of opinion in this thread.
As a current events mention, a fellow was arrested in Oregon by assorted federal agents - he used a reputed silencer in commission of a collection of federal crimes. District of Oregon | Salem Man Faces Federal Charge for Illegally Possessing Molotov Cocktails | United States Department of Justice

Access to this page has been denied

Whatever you do stay out of California. You would be in deep kimchi with that rig if encountered by the cops.

Good advice that gives me some things to think about. The purpose of the suppressor is to shoot subsonic rounds without the need for hearing protection and without blinding me in the dark...whether that be in my home or on the road. I also carry either a S&W M&P 10mm 2.0 with light and RDO or a 7-shot 3" 686.

Wow... a lot of 'guilty until proven innocent' in this thread. It's a shame that so many 'gun people' still look upon suppressors with that kind of visceral suspicion. We have AR pistols/ARs/handguns/PC carbines and rifles on the local range with suppressors every day, and nobody goes to "hitman's tool!" Jeeez.

The truth is that with the exception of those states where suppressors are illegal, the AR pistol/mags will probably cause more actual legal headaches. Check local/state law where you will be traveling for restrictions on loaded/readily accessed firearms. That will be your area of most concern.

Having a copy of your tax stamp available is also a good idea. Legally only an ATF agent can demand that you present it, but that doesn't help when you're on the side of the road with an overzealous/under educated trooper in BFE. A printout of the ATF page on interstate travel is also a good thing to keep a copy handy.

FYI, SBRs require paperwork for interstate travel, so they are a different story.

so many of us are content to just live in fear.

__________________
Nemo Me Impune Lacesset

Well to many, I could believe it may appear a bit extreme. IMHO, I do not think that labeling it as having the appearance of a hitman's tool is too extreme. Mind you, I have no issue with the possession of such a device. I am merely suggesting how other's may perceive the appearance

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

It's not what you or I think is right or wrong, Its what others think is right or wrong. If you can believe it some LEO's are anti gun, some think only good guys(cops) and bad guys(everyone else) carry guns. I don't walk in fear, but I do walk with the mind set of avoiding conflict both by the good guys(cops) and the bad actors. Get stopped by an anti gun LEO with that rig spells trouble to me.
The op has a nice set up and I like the thinking as to why its set up like it is. Great defensive rig, but it would be my home defense and I will rely on my IWB pistol for out and about.

__________________
Carry on....

That is pretty much the definition of living in fear.

Know the law, be prepared to state your case. Understand that you may suffer in the short term at the ignorance of others. In places that hate liberty, and disrespect the law, keep a low profile.

The OP has been given good advice and I will agree with what has been posted by the LEO's here. The terms "hitman's tools" can most definitely apply if you are stopped by law enforcement. Most people don't travel out-of-state with a suppressor in their vehicle. Case in point many years ago I stopped a guy driving a rental car and he didn't look like a bad egg, save for the fact he had a pistol next to his leg that I caught sight of. At that time it was illegal to carry a firearm outside of a locked box or zippered case in a motor vehicle and the firearm could not be loaded. His was loaded.

Long story short after my backup arrived the driver was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. A search incident to arrest was done on the vehicle and a suppressor for the handgun was found in the trunk along with an AK with a lot of ammunition for both. A leather vest was also in the trunk which showed the driver belonged to a 1% motorcycle club out of California. As best as we could figure, although it was never proven, the driver was here to do injury to an opposing outlaw motorcycle club member. The driver was incarcerated for several days while we tried to figure out what he was really up to and mysteriously he received assistance from a very well know criminal defense lawyer. A deal was finally struck with the local DA's office and the driver was fined for the having the loaded pistol in his car along with the suppressor which he had no documentation for. Both items were seized and destroyed. Neither item were reported stolen and neither was the AK he had which was returned to him. The short time he spent in jail was his time served.

So in this case we believed he really had the tools for doing harm to someone and fully intended to do so. The only thing he really cared about getting back were his "colors". Fast forward to today. There are so many varying laws, rules and regulations on the books that it is quite difficult for any police officer to be "up" on everything. Some things seem to change almost weekly dealing with firearms and such, so when someone claims cops are uneducated I take exception to that. I am sure I could make that person look uneducated quite easily if I hammered him or her with some questions on firearm laws or regulations. I own two suppressors and I would never travel with them out of state and I am a retired LEO. It's tough enough to stay current on laws and regulations in my own state let alone others, especially a state like Illinois which is just south of ours. Even though I am a retired LEO of over 30 years I purposely avoid going through a state like Illinois to eliminate any problems and I started my civilian law enforcement career in Illinois. So take all this for what it is worth.

Rick H.

It's best not to take advice from a hard-headed and nonsensical person who uses poor judgement . Just because something is your "right" doesn't mean it's always in your best interest to display that right. Instead, make good sound decisions. That's also your right.

It is not necessarily "places that hate liberty, and disrespect the law" that are the problem. More likely a lack of knowledge of the applicable laws. For those outside our "hobby" the various laws are confusing. I took a shotgun to the post office to ship to an FFL in another state and the clerk assured me that I couldn't do it, "not legal, have to be an FFL to ship." I insisted otherwise and he made some calls and eventually accepted the package, but it cost me an hour to get it done. I wouldn't want to be stopped on some highway with a well meaning but equally confused police officer who can't immediately confirm what is legal. Best to just avoid the problem.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I take a slightly different approach when I travel: my travel guns are nondescript, plain jane, common models that wouldn't break my heart if they were stolen.

My personal experience is that the odds are much more in favor of some tweaker breaking the window of my truck while I'm in a rest stop bathroom than they are of me having to explain to a nervous state trooper why I'm traveling with a firearm.

Here in Arizona my interactions with law enforcement have always been positive, and on more than one occasion the office has commented that my rig was better than what he had to carry.

__________________
SWCA #3942 / SWHF #988

I'm not sure about all states, but in IL the firearm must be unloaded, cased, and not accessible by the driver of the vehicle. Now, in IL it has been determined that a console in the vehicle is considered a case.

Of course if this is an" AR configuration" with a pistol grip, it is illegal in IL.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

"......unloaded, cased, and not accessible by the driver...."

We have checkpoints at the Arizona border that examine incoming traffic. If there is not a loaded firearm within reach of every passenger that is old enough to vote, appropriate firearms and ammunition are provided immediately. There are drop boxes to return them on the outgoing side of the highway as you leave the state.

Getting back to the OP: the most important and valuable weapon you have is the one between your ears. Use that one first. The second best weapon you have is the vehicle you're sitting in.

IMHO, the suppressed AR in the back seat needs a companion piece that stays on your person. If options 1 and 2 above don't get you out of trouble, consider that you may not be able to reach the case in the back seat. If you need a firearm, chances are good that you will need it right now. I like the idea of the suppressed AR as something to put next to the bed in a hotel, but not while you're actually travelling.

Keeping one on your person while traveling opens up a whole new set of laws to be aware of, but if you've already researched how to travel with a suppressor it shouldn't be too hard to figure out where (and how) you can carry.......or which states to just stay out of.

__________________
SWCA #3942 / SWHF #988

With the way hotels are built today, I must admit that I hope I’m not in the hotel room next to yours if the SHTF with you shooting your .300 BLK AR pistol (8" bbl.) plus can.
Larry

__________________
Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

With a seemingly prevalent attitude in some states of, just arrest them they can hire a lawyer to get justice, careful consideration is a good thing.

While i have utmost respect for those who enforce the law, would not expect the average patrol officer to be up to date on the latest court cases.

Nothing to do with suppressors but here in NC have been stopped numerous times at license checks and HP looking for bad stuff and once you inform the officers you have a handgun on your person and a permit to carry concealed they most time ask you if it's loaded and if you answers yes they say good....if you answer no they usually say it should be.

__________________
Hipcocked & Locked

This also can apply with reciprocity regarding carry permits. Four states come together around here. I have chosen to obtain as many carry permits as reasonably possible for states I traveled in a lot. I figured in the event of being stopped I would be better off having a carry permit from the state I was standing in rather than try to explain reciprocity by the side of the road at night.

It’s too bad it seems to be this way. I have a similar setup on an SBR and if I’m traveling in Wyoming or Montana, which is mostly where I travel, and if I want to carry it (loaded, of course), I carry it. It’s legal and the police are not a problem. Half of them probably have a setup just like it. I know we’re an outlier but it sure is nice not to have to put up with that kind of ridiculous hassle.

__________________
Everybody could shoot

I recently bought a suppressor for a Ruger MKIV. In studying the regs for flying with it, it seems no more complicated than flying with an unsuppressed handgun. I'm thinking of taking it with me next time I visit my brother in Virginia.

He used to shoot on his rural property, but as more neighbors have arrived he is reluctant to disturb them. I think a suppressed pistol — they're legal in Virginia, of course — would be just the ticket for him.

The platform mentioned has a lot of practical appeal, but if you end up in a judicial proceeding with the usually uninformed lawyers/judge/jurors, there is a real good chance that the image will be counted against you no matter how stupid the argument is.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.