Moving from CT to VA

THIS INFO IS SPECIFIC TO VA, I DO NOT KNOW THE SPECIFICS FOR OTHER STATES.

For transportation, firearms must be unloaded and "cased". There is no clear definition of what "cased" means, as long as it isn't sliding around in your trunk, you will be fine, but I would at least try to wrap them up and put them in cardboard boxes, if you don't have actual gun cases. VA does not have any kind of gun registry(except for NFA items), so unless a lawyer knows more than I do, you just bring them home with you. Depending on what city/county you are moving to, they sometimes have their own ordinances, I would check with the Sherriff's department of your new home. Welcome to the state!

NJ is the big problem, the City of New York another. Essentially, both de facto ban firearms. NJ will go after you for anything and NYC for any handgun.An exaggeration, but nevertheless, were you pulled over in NJ en route to VA with a vehicle full of guns, it is almost certain they would arrest first and ask questions later.

According to Section 926A of the Gun Control Act (1968), if traveling from a state of residence in which your firearms are legal to another state in which those firearms are legal for possession, and provided said firearms are "unloaded and not accessible from the passenger compartment of his/her car" (or unloaded, cased and locked), transit (especially on an Interstate such as I95) is defined by the feds as legal. There is a Feb 2005 letter from Assistant Attorney General Moschella to Rep Don Young (R- Alaska) confirming the provisions of Section 926A of the GCA in relation to travel to NY state airports by the Department of Justice. It's probably out there on the net and I would carry a copy with me. I would avoid stopping or getting off 95 in New Jersey if at all possible. I would stay below the speed limit and make sure all indicators brake lights etc were in perfect working order. I would make sure I had a copy of a lease, bill of sale, or utility bill in my name in VA and the same for a CT residence.

That's right. Make sure they're unloaded and wrapped to prevent damage, put them in boxes (several in a box is OK), and move them yourself with your other stuff.

No registration worries in VA. While some northeastern counties have some silly rules, the state is pre-empted and very gun-friendly.

I moved many guns from California to Virginia several years ago, and have enjoyed the freedom ever since!

As always, some good sources are:

http://nraila.org/

http://handgunlaw.us/

Only two kinds of registration regarding guns in VA:
NFA items on the federal level
Machine guns specifically on the state level.

Open carry is legal without a permit.
Concealed carry is shall issue. You will need proof of residency, proof of firearms training (you smell like a submariner from here, so mil ID works for proof of training), and $50.

Not well versed on travel... The 1986 FOPA should have you covered, but it is an affirmative defense to a conviction. NY and NJ have been known to make you actually go to trial and assert that defense.

You can avoid NJ by going through Pennsylvania, but you will have to go through NY.

Have you considered shipping the guns to yourself?

Other than that, welcome to VA!

A lot of good advice. Avoid NJ. Use FOPA 1986 in the New York State barrier.I have done it since 1993 with no problem. Drive the exact limit. Have all equipment perfect.

Good luck! For now at least, Virginia is a Free State.

If you have a Connecticut pistol permit, Eligibility Certificate, or Ammunition Certificate please remember to inform DESPP-SLFU of your new address within 48 hours of moving.

All good advice above.
VA is a shall issue state. Get a peminant address and drivers licence and you can get a permit.

The Virginia State Police website is a good source of information for Virginia laws and requirements for carry, transport, etc.

Have a safe trip and enjoy your new home.

If you have a Connecticut pistol permit, Eligibility Certificate, or Ammunition Certificate please remember to inform DESPP-SLFU of your new address within 48 hours of moving.

Click to expand...

I am legitimately asking this and not being facetious. Why would the OP have any duty/obligation to inform the state he will no longer be living in about his new address?

Vamo, CT doesn't recognize any other states permit, however if you move out of state you CAN still keep your permit even as a non-resident as long as you update the address. Just means he can keep on carrying in CT if he comes back without having to try to apply for the permit again, but as a non-resident.

VCDL.org is a great resource for any firearms advocate living in VA (or even visiting).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

In addition to the above, be careful if you go into Maryland. I say that because of that incident where someone from Florida had his vehicle searched because overzealous cops thought he had a gun. And he wasn't just an isolated case.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news...-maryland-cops-target-them-for-traf/?page=all

"A year ago this New Year’s Eve, John Filippidis of Florida was driving south with his family on Interstate 95 when the Maryland Transportation Authority Police pulled over his black Ford Expedition and proceeded to raid it while his twins, wife and daughter looked on — separated in the back seats of different police cruisers."
.

I think the secret is to keep all firearms unloaded and separate from ammo and mags. If you wanted to, you can open carry your loaded handgun through Delaware as long as it's visible on the front seat without worries. Of course the ride through Delaware on 95 is not very long and you would just have to pack it all back up again before Maryland. On another note, the Cabella's in Delaware is just off 95 at the Christiana Mall. If you are so inclined, you could stop for some tax free shopping. Have a safe trip.

If you're going through NJ you would be going down I95. If you're doing that the only people who would be stopping you would be NJSP. NJSP is well versed on FOPA and you shouldn't have any issues. See NJSP.ORG.

The lack of people getting arrested in NJ for transporting firearms through the state would indicate it's not a problem. Just follow FOPA rules.

BTW it's only about 15 miles through DE. Not worth getting you gun out and having to put it back before MD.

There is little I can add here. As a native Virginian I would like to welcome you to Virginia and say, "Howdy neighbor". You will love Virginia once you get used to our way of life which should not take long. Since you say you will be here in September I say you will be use to us by the end of October. Again welcome.

I am legitimately asking this and not being facetious. Why would the OP have any duty/obligation to inform the state he will no longer be living in about his new address?

Click to expand...

The duty is imposed by statute on the person holding a Connecticut issued credential, much in the way that I despite being a resident of Connecticut am subject to certain laws in Florida, New Hampshire, and Mass related to firearm licenses or other permits which I hold there.

Vamo, CT doesn't recognize any other states permit, however if you move out of state you CAN still keep your permit even as a non-resident as long as you update the address. Just means he can keep on carrying in CT if he comes back without having to try to apply for the permit again, but as a non-resident.

Click to expand...

In addition (and more importantly) failing to update your address as required by law can be prosecuted as an E felony.

Here's the SAFEST way

Have your local gun shop legally ship them to an FFL near your future home in VA. It can cost a bit, but the cost is well worth the reduction in risk

And as far as telling the cops in CT your new address, I'd just drop them a note informing them that you're no longer a CT resident, thus you see no obligation to follow CT laws. It's something like the laws in DC, which say you can not make ANY stops when enroute to a range. Once you cross into VA enroute to the range (because DC doesn't have any ranges), you have no obligation to follow DC's nonsense... untl you cross back into DC.

- - - Yoda

Yoda said:

Have your local gun shop legally ship them to an FFL near your future home in VA. It can cost a bit, but the cost is well worth the reduction in risk

...

- - - Yoda

Click to expand...

The guns are the original poster's property. The destination, VA, does not have registration. Driving via interstate with gun(s) properly packed is NOT illegal. Even though... don't stop in NY anywhere along it's roads. Take I81 through much of PA that will get you to a sliver of MD where like NY, don't stop. Even if it's longer, I81 avoids much of the "hostile to gun owners territory".

Don't give police any obvious reasons to stop you by having a valid state inspection and tags. Don't have the guns visible from outside the vehicle and while remaining calm... don't consent to a search if stopped.

chuck

put them in boxes (several in a box is OK), and move them yourself with your other stuff.

Click to expand...

Mark the boxes 'books' do not mark the box CD, DVD or TV because thieves can read.

F. Guffey

You can easily avoid New Jersey, NYC and Wash DC. by traveling I-84 West to Scranton PA, then go south on I-81 all the way to VA. If it were me I would stay off of I-95.

Also if you have two vehicles, ammo in the trunk of one and unloaded packed firearms in the trunk of the other, but dont sweat it if you only have one car. Also any proof of ownership you might have with you up front is a nice touch, but again dont sweat it.

I made the same trip from Danbury Connecticut to Chattanooga TN 8 years ago and did it just like described above. I am 48 years old and have been stopped by LE three times in my life for minor infractions. I think your chances are good for a safe easy and uneventful trip to Virginia!