Taking firearms across state lines…

[Model29-26.5]

I’ve done this without a second thought.
Nothing loaded, nothing close to me in the car.
Maybe not a great idea but I really don’t know enough either way on the ins and outs of the law.

What’s the scoop on driving around across state lines?
I wouldn’t take any to NY, NJ or MA, but have taken them to CA in RV as it’s considered a home of sorts.
What about a car?

Looking for any info really on do’s and dont’s.

Thanks

 

[wood714]

I put together an AR pistol for road trips. Keep it within arms reach in the back seat with a loaded mag, but empty chamber.

I'm guessing it's okay, only driving thru GA, Tenn, KY, and Ohio.

 

[madmikeb]

I just moved from Maine to Arizona and went through about every anti gun state there is. Mover wouldn't take ammo so I rented a motorhome and put my gun collection and all my ammo on board and just drove.
I was glad to get out of New England, MA, CT, and NY, but I just drove sensibly and really didn't worry about it.

 

[Smoke]

There was a member here named Gary Slider who used to post a pretty comprehensive list of all the state laws.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/search.php?searchid=14765763

 

[glowe]

I put together an AR pistol for road trips. Keep it within arms reach in the back seat with a loaded mag, but empty chamber . . .

There are so many laws across the US that you will almost certainly be breaking some laws while traveling through the various states. As far as within arms reach, you can get in big trouble in Illinois. Michigan has similar laws and without a concealed carry permit, your pistols and revolvers must be locked in a place you cannot easily get to them plus no ammo with the gun.

If a non-resident is coming to Illinois to hunt
and would like to bring their firearm, how
do they legally transport it?

Non-residents must comply with the gun case law as
described above. Additionally, the firearm must not
be immediately accessible

My opinion is do not do what stupid criminals do and that includes having burned out lights, speeding, violating any traffic laws. If law enforcement does not see you doing anything wrong, you will not get stopped in the first place.

 

[BKLooney]

I put together an AR pistol for road trips. Keep it within arms reach in the back seat with a loaded mag, but empty chamber.

I'm guessing it's okay, only driving thru GA, Tenn, KY, and Ohio.

Check with the others, but you're good to go in TN!

 

[ladder13]

Stored away, out in the open or carried, be very careful.

 

[MetalMan]

My Ohio permit has reciprocity with 32 states.

Most of my travels nowadays is from Ohio to CT (to see kids/grandkids).

I also have a CT non-resident permit.

I'm "legal" throughout OH and PA but not across the 80 miles of NY state through which I have to travel.

"18 U.S. Code Section 926A-Interstate" allows for me to travel across NYS with an unloaded and locked-up weapon due to my OH and CT licenses (as long as I don't stop), so I stop at the PA / NY line (at the PA Welcome Center) and unload, unstrap and lock everything up out of reach before moving on.

 

[Autonomous]

To be sure you need to read the code in the states you will be traveling through.
Bubba's Online Opinion® can cost you your freedom.
Naively thinking you won't be pulled over by some cop profiling your out of state license plate even though you are in complete compliance can land you in trouble. Lies commonly used to pull over vehicles are following too close or over the line. Then it escalates to smelling marijuana or alcohol and they have their excuse to search the vehicle. Usually, they are looking for drug mules, some are chasing awards for the most busts. Even if you can beat the charges, you can be out $xx,xxx and your time.
Some states are at war with gun owners and some cops are dirty.
I am not a cop hater, this is not the majority but a reality, nevertheless.

 

[Autonomous]

My Ohio permit has reciprocity with 32 states.

Most of my travels nowadays is from Ohio to CT (to see kids/grandkids).

I also have a CT non-resident permit.

I'm "legal" throughout OH and PA but not across the 80 miles of NY state through which I have to travel.

"18 U.S. Code Section 926A-Interstate" allows for me to travel across NYS with an unloaded and locked-up weapon due to my OH and CT licenses (as long as I don't stop), so I stop at the PA / NY line (at the PA Welcome Center) and unload, unstrap and lock everything up out of reach before moving on.

My wife and I have permits from three states. I don't go where I'm not covered.
The Interstate code you brought up has been violated before. The officer, prosecutor and state lose nothing for the malicious charge, but the person charged pays a heavy price. Again, this is not the norm, but it happens.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I’ll be keeping an eye out for local gun laws and reciprocity.
I don’t have a permit.
I’m just a legal TN gun owner.
I’ll start researching and would definitely benefit from getting any extra permits/safety classes and bit of paper saying I’ve passed any kind of firearms test for credibility and validation regardless.
Come Jan I’ll be driving through GA, NC, SC and FL.
I don’t think there’ll be a with those states, but I’ll be sure to check.

 

[Oldengineer]

The best advice is to take the time to get informed about each jurisdiction. When we travel with our Airstream travel trailer we rely on the latest version of the traveling with guns book. Driving through Canada to Alaska added an additional level of attention. Both my wife and I have Arizona concealed weapons permits and that helps a lot in the U.S. Our view is that if we need a firearm we are already in serious trouble, and the added burden of a firearm is worth it. BTW….we have only been threatened once in many years of camping in a lot of states, and the presence of my side arm saved us from being robbed and who knows what else…..

Tom H.

 

[LVSteve]

The laws in the different states must be researched and then accepted, no matter how much head scratching they create.

Good example is when I travel to TX from NV. My CCW is recognized by all states on the route. The wrinkle is that I must make sure I only carry one concealed weapon in NM. New Mexico doesn't do the concepts of the New York reload or back up guns.

Where things might go Tango Uniform is if a diversion through CO is required. CO does not recognize my CCW. Now I have to look up their transport rules.

 

[Bald1]

I put together an AR pistol for road trips. Keep it within arms reach in the back seat with a loaded mag, but empty chamber.

I'm guessing it's okay, only driving thru GA, Tenn, KY, and Ohio.

NY considers that a loaded weapon. If rounds are in the mag and the mag is in the gun it’s loaded. Even with an empty chamber. More than a couple hunters have gotten into trouble doing this

 

[Bald1]

If I’m not mistaken there is a law “interstate” something or other. It says if you can legally own the gun at your starting point and you can legally own gun at your destination then you may transport it locked away in a case separate from ammo. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But I’m certain I’ve read that.

 

[Alk8944]

Read the document the following link will take you to and follow the requirements for interstate transportation set forth in it and you will have no problems: US Code Title 18 Section 926A

This is what Bald1 just above refers to. It is the pertinent section of the broader federal law known as the "Firearms Owners Protection Act". It specifically concerns interstate transportation of firearms.

And this is the link to Gary Slider's web site: Handgunlaw.us

 

[MetalMan]

If I’m not mistaken there is a law “interstate” something or other. It says if you can legally own the gun at your starting point and you can legally own gun at your destination then you may transport it locked away in a case separate from ammo. Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But I’m certain I’ve read that.

Yes, that's "18 U.S. Code Section 926A-Interstate"

 

[ladder13]

Peaceable Journey

 

[mike4sigs]

There was a member here named Gary Slider who used to post a pretty comprehensive list of all the state laws.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/search.php?searchid=14765763

linky no worky

 

[Kinman]

You can check into adjoining states honoring the laws of your state of residence. Years ago when I did more traveling than I do now I could go into Idaho and Oregon from Washington, Montana didn't care about anything back then including speeding you just carried fifteen bucks to pay for the waste of gas tax. I took a motorcycle trip down to California without an endorsement from my state, I just never bothered to get an endorsement, stayed out of trouble and when popped would say "Whats an endorsement, I've been riding motorcycles for 30 years." Always got off with a warning. Anyway, I was on that trip and always carried my model 39 at the small of my back while traveling. I got to my uncle's in Santa Rosa, he saw my pistol while I was settling into the room and told me about California's then gun laws. I told him I guess I better not get stopped because I don't have a motorcycle endorsement either. He called his sil who was a cop in Vellajo who told him if I got stopped on the bike without an endorsement they would tow it away and impound it, the gun would have me eating my meals in the county's motel.