Traveling with a travel trailer and guns

This should help for the CCW: http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Art Eatman has posted a very good link to a website that gives you a good outline to different states laws and has loads of links to state statutes on weapons of any kind. I also use an app called Legal Heat on a tablet ( iPad or iPhone or something similar) when I travel as a quick guide to laws on states I'm getting ready to go into. It is also very handy. You can get it free in some of the app stores. I'd give you a link to their website , but every thing I found was just a link to an app. You can find it easily though just do a search on your computer.

You are going to need to look at the law in each state that you plan to visit or pass through.

What states?

Very loosely, an RV is a vehicle, or (trailer) part of a vehicle, when traveling on public roads. When parked for the night on private property, it becomes a residence of sorts, like a motel room etc.

What you can have with you when entering and staying overnight in various states is another matter.

Frank Ettin said:

That is probably true in many, in not most States. It might or might not be true in all States.

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Hence my use of the word "loosely"

"A provision of the federal law known as the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act, or FOPA, protects those who are transporting firearms for lawful purposes from local restrictions which would otherwise prohibit passage."

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

As part of this NRA article, this is something to always keep in mind:

" Note: In the United States you have constitutional protections both against unreasonable searches and seizures and against compelled self-incrimination. Although the authorities may search anywhere within your reach without a search warrant after a valid stop, they may not open and search closed luggage without probable cause to believe evidence of a crime will be found, particularly when it is in a locked storage area or trunk of a vehicle, unless you consent. You have a right not to consent. Furthermore, although you may be required to identify yourself and produce a driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of automobile insurance, you have a right to remain silent."

shootstraight57 said:

Going from Pa to S.C..
I know Maryland is a no no but the others seem ok.

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Stay as far away from D.C. as you can. I don't know if it's out of your way but I would go down the Virginia side.

Hunter86004 said:

"A provision of the federal law known as the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act, or FOPA, protects those who are transporting firearms for lawful purposes from local restrictions which would otherwise prohibit passage."

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

As part of this NRA article, this is something to always keep in mind:

" Note: In the United States you have constitutional protections both against unreasonable searches and seizures and against compelled self-incrimination. Although the authorities may search anywhere within your reach without a search warrant after a valid stop, they may not open and search closed luggage without probable cause to believe evidence of a crime will be found, particularly when it is in a locked storage area or trunk of a vehicle, unless you consent. You have a right not to consent. Furthermore, although you may be required to identify yourself and produce a driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of automobile insurance, you have a right to remain silent."

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Please keep in mind that the FOPA is pretty much nothing more than a "Paper Tiger." It does state various protection to travelers, but provides no effective remedy when it is violated. Please check out the Second Circuit's decision in Torraco and Winstanley v. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority clearly violated the FOPA in the case of both plaintiff's. When they sued for damages, the court held that FOPA did not confer a right that could be violated and that there was no basis for a lawsuit. While not clearly communicated in the decision, it does appear that both were able to defeat criminal charges using the FOPA as an affirmative defense, they were not able to recover any damages. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a similar case (Revell v Port Authority).

With regard to the quote from the NRA article, it may be accurate within it's context, but the excerpt is far from complete. Keep in mind that U.S. v Ross permits LEOs to search mobile vehicles on the basis if probable cause alone, without need of a search warrant (although the court did rule earlier this month that the search of a vehicle, parked on the curtilage of the subject's property, did require a search warrant). The NRA article excerpt is also silent regarding the impound search authority available to LEOs. When LEO's take a vehicle into custody (usually by towing when the driver is arrested, or the vehicle is damaged or inoperable), they may search the vehicle and it's contents without need of either probable cause or a warrant. The concept is that the officers become responsible for the vehicle when impounded and they have a right to know what they are becoming responsible for.

Just goes to show that nothing works 100% of the time.

I find myself actively avoiding gun-unfriendly states. I just did a trip from Utah to South Dakota that was glorious. (But DO NOT speed in Wyoming.)

Just looking at the map, I think if you avoid MD, NJ, and DC, you should be fine. Jersey in particular is famous for actively targeting and prosecuting passers-through.

The other thing you could do is leave all of the guns at home and not worry about which state will fry you if they find the guns in a traffic stop.
If I was traveling in that area with so many gun unfriendly places that one could accidentally in up in, the above is what I would do.

This is a common question. Try RV organizations such as The Good Sam Club and Internet RV forums.

Are you going to be doing any competition shooting during your trip? Transporting guns for use in matches may cover a fine legal point if need be.

Why take AR's? They fit just about every restrictive state's definition of assault weapon and/or hi-cap magazines.

If you must take a firearm, take a non semi-auto long gun, and leave your handguns home. Doing so will eliminate almost all of your problems.

Legal is legal.
Read and obey the laws.
Dont over think it.
Dont do anything shady.

The obvious route from most of PA to SC takes you through MD. It is possible to find a route from western PA through WV into VA, but that takes some planning and may take you off of Interstates for a while.

If you must traverse MD, be sure to follow their laws about disassembling and locking each firearm and storing firearms separately from ammunition, and all where you cannot reach any of it in the main vehicle cabin. If you are stopped by LEO in MD, they may look up your concealed carry permit and then work to find where your firearms are and how they are stored; not a guaranteed scenario, but it has happened.

As for DC, others' advice is correct... under no circumstances should you cross the line into DC from MD while possessing a firearm or ammunition, no matter how stored in your vehicle or trailer.
The routing is not a problem, even if you are using Interstate highways I-95 or I-270. When those hit the Capitol Beltway you can go around the DC area in either direction. Going counterclockwise when southbound (I-495) carries you from MD into VA when you cross the Potomac River on the American Legion Bridge to the north of DC. Going clockwise when southbound (I-95) has you crossing from MD to VA on the Wilson Bridge over the Potomac south of DC. (Legally the middle of the Wilson Bridge is in DC, but it is never patrolled by DC LEO, unless responding to a major emergency.)

If you use the American Legion Bridge on I-495 to enter VA, DO NOT take the George Washington Parkway for the scenic view down the VA side of the river. Stay on I-495 around the outer circumference to rejoin I-95 south of town. THE GW Parkway is a Federal Park and Federal firearm restrictions apply.

I have relatives living in New Your city (Staten Island) when i go for a visit I take no guns, no knives no anything like that.
I even make sure that I have no ammo or shell casings in the car. I want nothing in my car that could make me have to hire
an expensive lawyer. Some of you may think I am being overly cautious, but IMHO better to be safe than sorry when traveling
in places like NY, NJ,MD and the DC area.

shootstraight57 said:

All answers and comment are very good and informative. I wonder if MD accepts the 218 cert.? I am not going for any competition shoots just going to visit daughters and travel while I can.
I was in NY for a HIDA class some years back and I asked the LT giving the class whats up with not being able to carry your CCW while in NY? He said that a good guy with a gun is better than a bad guy with a gun, with that he gave me his card and said if I ever have a problem with a police officer give him my card. Needless to say I will never carry or have a gun in NY or NJ! I was born in NJ and I know how both states are..
Thanks for the info THR community..

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Maryland authorities (as well as those in New York and other jurisdictions within the U.S.) are required to abide by the provisions of LEOSA. There is no "option" on their part.

You have to be careful to stay within the boundaries of LEOSA so that you don't give those local authorities and avenue of prosecution. Ammunition type and magazine capacity are the key concerns.

Also be aware that the Torraco and Winstandly v Port Authority, along with the Revell cases may limit your ability to recover damages if you do run into problems with the locals.