Road trip woes

Karnivore

Karnivore

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Hi Guys,

The wife and I are planning a road trip from Florida to Maine and back. The issue is that we must drive through states that are not handgun friendly to us Florida residents. I have a CWP by the way.

Does anyone have any experience in this type scenario?

I have been scouring the internet but have found answers that the State Police will be waiting at the border to it's legal, no problem.

I would be driving straight through Pennsilvania and New York State.

Any info would be appreciated.
 
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Pa. is not a problem. unless they have changed the laws. I drive from Fla. to Pa. usually once a year Also carry in Pa while I am there. Your problem would be New York. Had a friend who was a retired NY State Trooper and he owned land outside Buffalo. He was a Florida state resident and they would not issue him a NY CCW nor would they recognize his Fla. CCW. Not to sure about the New England states either.

Found this, it may be of help: Just a moment...
 
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Unfortunately, none of those will keep you out of trouble in New York. I've lived in the Northeast (Eastern PA) in a gun-friendly state, but just adjacent were New Jersey and New York where the laws regarding carry in a car were very strict.
 
If you are legally allowed to posses it where your trip starts and where your trip ends you can transport it thru any state. Not conceal carry , but rather transport. I'm guessing PA honors your FL permit. In Ny you simply have to unload gun and lock it up in trunk separate from ammo. It's a federal interstate commerce law or something like that. I travel from NY to Naples FL all the time. There is also a Gun Law guide to all 50 states you can google.
 
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This….

18 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms

"Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console."
 
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This question comes up often. It's been reported that NY and NJ do not honor the federal FOPA law. I wouldn't want to be the test case. Some of the guys have recommended swinging west of the NYC/NJ area, going through PA and then a short run across NY state north of the city into CT then up through MA.
MA and CT shouldn't be a problem if your hardware is securely locked in a case and out of sight, all your vehicle lights are working and you don't speed. The one caveat in MA I need to mention is that mere possession of a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds is a serious felony. That might be true in a couple of other states. Good luck and safe travels.
 
Title 18.926 C signed into law in 2004….Retired and Active LE with valid Dept. I.D and current State Firearms proficiency Card … Valid in all 50 States..Minimum 10 years service and annual re- qualification.

I would think using good, common sense and obeying the various traffic laws You should be good to go, DO NOT Wear, conceal, or display your firearm unless you find yourself in a life - threatening situation…Than Do what you have to do, as long as you conduct yourself as a reasonable and prudent person… when passing thru States like Delaware, MD, Ny, NJ…Secure your weapon in a locked Compartment or Vehicle Gun Safe….Law Enforcement is spread pretty thin these past few years, most Depts. have calls holding and it's First Available to respond ….They're NOT waiting by the Roadside for an out of State Car to come by and conduct fishing expeditions…( Stop and Search) . Have a Safe trip and Be Careful.
 
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If you drive like a gentleman and a lady you won't attract attention. That's your first method of not getting into trouble.

If you obey the FOPA rules in re locked this and that and nobody sees your weapon that's your second method of avoiding encounters with the gendarmerie.

But despite the FOPA bear this in mind:

This question comes up often. It's been reported that NY and NJ do not honor the federal FOPA law.

In NYC it is black letter law that the possession of an unlicensed firearm is an automatic felony = 1 year in jail. NJ isn't much better but upstate NY might be.

Here's another aspect - read this carefully:

18 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms

"Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console."
Click to expand...

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON IN NY STATE OR NEW JERSEY.

Stopping literally negates the FOPA because you are no longer in a place where you can lawfully possess a firearm. The key to FOPA is start and end where you are lawful. Bear that in mind.
 
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A lot of sound preventive advice above......

......wanted to mention some other cautions. I usually take my wife for a drive about on or near her Birthday, usually we head west. This year she wanted to see the Atlantic. So East it was. There seemed to be tension in the air everywhere where we traveled, folks on edge. In some locals there was almost a sense of hate projected. Certainly not the hospitality the South Eastern states have been famous for for centuries.

Prices on lodging have gone through the roof. Hard to find a Chain hotel with rooms under $160 then with exorbitant local add on taxes you can plan on an average of 200 per night. Gas, well, you know how it's doing.

Crowds were heavy along the coast not the pre Memorial day/schools out levels I expected.

No problem on carrying , just can not leave home without to tred in unfamiliar territory. Low key but aware.

God bless and keep you safe on your journey.
 
Sgt. Buzzard said:
AJ, if your retired trooper friend wanted he could apply to his current home state and comply with their version of qualifying under HR 218 aka LEOSA and carry anywhere.

Thank you and God bless George Bush.
Click to expand...


Would love to be able to tell him. He has since passed from cancer. Thank you for the info, will pass it along to my S-I-L as he is a retired Deputy Sheriff.
 
Bald1 said:
If you are legally allowed to posses it where your trip starts and where your trip ends you can transport it thru any state. Not conceal carry , but rather transport. I'm guessing PA honors your FL permit. In Ny you simply have to unload gun and lock it up in trunk separate from ammo. It's a federal interstate commerce law or something like that.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was told by an attorney at US Law Shield. His advice, stop for gas and a meal before leaving PA and don't stop in NY or NJ unless you absolutely must.
 
ISCS Yoda said:
DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON IN NY STATE OR NEW JERSEY.

Stopping literally negates the FOPA because you are no longer in a place where you can lawfully possess a firearm. The key to FOPA is start and end where you are lawful. Bear that in mind.
Click to expand...

Stopping for fuel or food does not "negate" the federal law, as neither is your destination. Stopping at a hotel for the night, etc., would likely negate such protection, as it could be deemed the hotel was your destination. Prudence would be to avoid any stops.
 
An odd thought, why not contact the States Attorney Generals Office in the states through which you are going to pass? Their advice should be solid.

Do you have an attorney with 2A experience on speed dial and on retainer?

Kevin
 
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This probably won't help you but, I don't drive through or visit States I can't carry in. That may be a stupid way to live. That's just me. I spend my money wear I'm legal to carry. I'm sure those states could care less if I go there and that's fine with me.
 
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