Driving cross country with firearms

Are there any states along the way that would require me to do more with my guns than lock them and leave them in the trunk?

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No. That's the maximum they can require under federal law.

No need to wait till you get here to get the CWFL.

Here is a link that will get you started.

http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html

Yikes, are you moving for good or are you just taking a trip there?

I have made that trip with guns...both ways

I would make sure you do not have any gun or hunting related decals or stickers on you car.
If you get stopped for anything, you don't want the LEO asking the "do you have any weapons?" question.
I have been asked that question after the LEO saw targets in the back of my truck.
Nothing good can happen after that question is asked.
If nothing else, the traffic stop will take a LOT longer.

Or...just strap your long guns on the roof
Just sayin'

Tilos

Read the FOPA
http://www.handgunforum.net/

AFS

Why? Do you plan on getting stopped by the law on your trip?

The only state, that I know of, that is a problem is Illinois. If you can avoid it you will be fine. I've done some traveling and have had firearms visible when state police have stopped to assist me when broke down. The only comment I ever got (California) was "That's a good idea when stuck along this stretch of road (pointing at the handgun on the seat of my pickup)." I was broke down in the middle of the California desert pulling a horse trailer and horses.

The Bushmaster, I don't think anyone ever plans on being stopped by the law. I also know that it can happen, though it has only happened to me one in 7 years of driving *knock on wood*. I have had a few conversations with LEOs when on the side of the road re-securing loads, or fixing something, so its good to have your bases covered.

That out of the way, I sure drove carefully when I was hauling 60 simulated M-16s in the back of my station wagon, would not have wanted to explain to Officer Snuffy what was under that tarp, and looked a lot like M-16s. (No, there is not an officer with that name in my town.)

I made something close to that drive twice, from Cleveland, OH to eastern WA, and then from eastern WA to central AR. The first time was in a moving truck and hauling my car on a trailer; second trip I was driving the car. I had a permit that covered some but not all of the states on the second trip. Both times I was moving all my guns at once. Just made sure everything else was locked up in the trunk besides the carry gun, which was in a shoulder holster.

jm

I made a similar trip several years ago (Sacramento, CA to FL Panhandle) with several long guns and a .22 pistol. I secured all weapons behind the seat (single cab pickup), in cases, unloaded, with no ammo. To the best of my knowledge, as long as the weapons are unloaded and inaccessible by the driver while operating the vehicle, you should be okay. As far as the Glock in the glovebox, I'm not sure. Use your best judgment on that...

If you are going to rely on FOPA (18 USC 926a) to transport your guns, any ammunition must be back there in the trunk with the guns as well (obviously not loaded in the guns!).

Drive around Illinois.

Not only do they not need any tax dollars you may spend to help their anti-gun government buerocracy, the surrounding states are also much more scenic, gun friendly, and visitor acceptable.

Bushmaster asked:

Do you plan on getting stopped by the law on your trip?

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If you see an Illinois State Trooper you can.

BTW, you've got a green light here in Missouri. ANYBODY can carry ANYTHING (legal) in ANY MANNER (loaded or unloaded) ANYWHERE (in the trunk, on the dashboard, or in your pocket) as long as you are in your vehicle. If you choose to carry anything in your pocket, make sure you take it out before you exit your vehicle or you will be illegally concealing it if you do not have a CCW.

If you do get your CCW, you can pretty much carry anywhere you want to. (except for the usual forbidden places.)

While Illinois may have some wacky laws, simply passing through with properly secured firearms is not illegal. From the Illinois State Police website (http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearmsfaq.cfm):

How can I legally transport a firearm on my person or in my vehicle?
There is more than one way to legally transport a firearm. However, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, it is recommended all firearms be transported:
Unloaded,
Enclosed in a case and,
By persons who have a valid FOID card.

What constitutes a legal "case" for transporting a firearm?
The Criminal Code refers to "a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container." However, the Wildlife Code is more specific, defining case as "a container specifically designed for the purpose of housing a gun or bow and arrow device which completely encloses such gun or bow and arrow device by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened with no portion of the gun or bow and arrow device exposed."


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 be legally eligible to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition in their state of residence. It is recommended that, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, non-residents transport all firearms:
Unloaded, and
Enclosed in a case, and
Not immediately accessible or broken down in a nonfunctioning state.

Is it legal to have ammunition in the case with the firearm?
Yes, so long as the firearm is unloaded and properly enclosed in a case.

Your trip may not take you through Illinois, so this may all be a moot point. But if you decide to pass through the Land of Lincoln, you should be good to go (save for that Glock in your glovebox...might wanna put it in the trunk).

Weren't there some states that had wacky definitions of "loaded", like loaded mags or clips stored separately = "loaded firearm"?

i wanted to do a cross country trip a while back and figured that a single shot shotgun in the trunk with a trigger lock is probably the best i can do without running afoul of any weird laws

Driving and bringing your guns is one of the greatest freedoms in the world. Try it in most other countries. The best part? The airport people don't get to check your shoes (and other dark places) for weapons!

Originally posted by Oro:
No. That's the maximum they can require under federal law.

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We should get rid of this unconstitutional law. It violates the rights of the states.

Autolycus,

Do you mean that, or did you forget to add a smiley?

DMK said:

Weren't there some states that had wacky definitions of "loaded", like loaded mags or clips stored separately = "loaded firearm"?

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In Ohio, it is considered to be a loaded firearm if you have a firearm as well as loaded magazines that fit that firearm in the car.

Oh I meant it. I think that if people are against the national reciprocity law being passed then surely they would want to oppose this law as it is a violation of states rights like the national reciprocity law. I will start a thread on it later and post a link so as not to derail this discussion.

When you get to Fl., apply for your CC permit IN PERSON. I got mine in 5 days, and that's normal. Don't mail it in.
You can do a search on the details, but basically, there are 6 or 7 offices of the Dept. of Agriculture in Fl, you make an appointment and do it all there. (take the class first, and bring a check for $117.) Call.

GadgetGuy1288

Caution, the following is my personal opinion:

You can listen to the internet lawyers who post all the rightous laws that protect you, or go the sensible route and not draw attention to yourself.

I would not carry a handgun in your glove box just because you can legally.
If you do, keep your auto registration somewhere else!

If you open that glove box without telling the LEO you have a gun in there, you will be face down on the ground in the blink of the eye, at the least.
If you tell them, do it with both hands on the wheel and wait for permission to reach for anything.

If things go bad in a stop, your only decision will be to plead guilty and pay the fine, or return for your day in court.
It may not be a gun related charge but some sort of charge, if you decide to be all rightous to the LEO.

No one here will pay your fine or represent you in court.
You decide, and there's no reason to tell US what that is.

Tilos

I travel every summer mostly in the western states with 4 rifles 2 shotguns and at least 3 handguns. I just make sure they are all cased and out of site except for one ready to reach handgun and have no problems. I shoot prairie dogs IN SD and Mt as well as some Trap in Mt with some old friends.

Guns and more said:

When you get to Fl., apply for your CC permit IN PERSON. I got mine in 5 days, and that's normal. Don't mail it in.
You can do a search on the details, but basically, there are 6 or 7 offices of the Dept. of Agriculture in Fl, you make an appointment and do it all there. (take the class first, and bring a check for $117.) Call.

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Many of the regional offices are backlogged. Tampa is at four weeks now and Orlando is close to nine.

Last time I moved was from Kentucky to Indiana, the firearms were all safely secured and somewhere near the front of a 25 foot gooseneck trailer. We had problems none.