Might consider taking a gun to the edge of VA-but what if you cross once into DC?

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Ignition Override

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The Mid-South.
The car has a concealed gun safe.
The hotel has a safe in each room (No access by housekeeping).

Driving east on Route 66 along the Potomac into Rosslyn (first time driving there, from TN) there is almost zero chance that I would mistakenly end up in DC. There should be even less chance that my car would be stopped by LEOs (unless they had time to 'randomly run the plate for...', as can happens in NJ with CCW people).

Would you drop the idea of taking a handgun on a 10-11 day trip simply because of the very slight chance that some construction etc might force you to make a One time, brief, wrong turn over the Potomac River?

The times we are living in seem to suggest a slightly higher statistical need to be armed, during multiple stops on the return trip (Shenandoah Valley etc, then interstate).
 
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Back about 17-18 years ago when my wife and I were full-timing in our RV we had occasion to spend a few days at Andrews AFB in Maryland. (I'm retired Navy and some of the military bases have nice RV parks.)
Anyway, I had about three or four rifles and maybe a half dozen hand guns in a locked compartment in the RV. We were on the road for a couple of years and were traveling the country. Going into Andrews I knew that their policy on firearms would be strict and I wasn't about to lie to security if they asked about them. Sure enough, the "do you have any firearms" question came up and I answered truthfully. I was told I would have to turn them into the armory. No problem, so when we got our rig set up I dug the guns (all in cases) , tossed them into my truck and headed for the lock-up.
I knocked on the door and the armorer said to bring them in. Took me a couple trips to move them into the lobby and when I knocked on the door again, he took one look and said "I don't have room in the POF locker for all of those." Seems they were refurbing the interior and most of .the inventory was packed to one area. I explained that security said I couldn't keep them in my rig and he just said he didn't have room, so what was I to do?. I was told that Bolling AFB also had an armory that would store personal weapons and it wasn't all that far away. He also said that the only problem was the handguns as Bolling was within the border of D.C. where handguns of any type were highly illegal. (They weren't illegal on-base, but not to get stopped with them off base.).. I asked how far was it from the DC line to the Base Gate and was told it was about a quarter mile. I decided to chance it and made the quarter mile without any problems and got the guns checked in......

The fun started when I picked them when we were moving on.... I loaded the truck and headed off base.... and turned left instead of right outside the gate. I don't know how familiar you are with Anacostia, but lets just say that I was sweating bullets before I figured out I had made a mistake and found my way back to Andrews......
 
deadin said:
Back about 17-18 years ago when my wife and I were full-timing in our RV we had occasion to spend a few days at Andrews AFB in Maryland. (I'm retired Navy and some of the military bases have nice RV parks.)
Anyway, I had about three or four rifles and maybe a half dozen hand guns in a locked compartment in the RV. We were on the road for a couple of years and were traveling the country. Going into Andrews I knew that their policy on firearms would be strict and I wasn't about to lie to security if they asked about them. Sure enough, the "do you have any firearms" question came up and I answered truthfully. I was told I would have to turn them into the armory. No problem, so when we got our rig set up I dug the guns (all in cases) , tossed them into my truck and headed for the lock-up.
I knocked on the door and the armorer said to bring them in. Took me a couple trips to move them into the lobby and when I knocked on the door again, he took one look and said "I don't have room in the POF locker for all of those." Seems they were refurbing the interior and most of .the inventory was packed to one area. I explained that security said I couldn't keep them in my rig and he just said he didn't have room, so what was I to do?. I was told that Bolling AFB also had an armory that would store personal weapons and it wasn't all that far away. He also said that the only problem was the handguns as Bolling was within the border of D.C. where handguns of any type were highly illegal. (They weren't illegal on-base, but not to get stopped with them off base.).. I asked how far was it from the DC line to the Base Gate and was told it was about a quarter mile. I decided to chance it and made the quarter mile without any problems and got the guns checked in......

The fun started when I picked them when we were moving on.... I loaded the truck and headed off base.... and turned left instead of right outside the gate. I don't know how familiar you are with Anacostia, but lets just say that I was sweating bullets before I figured out I had made a mistake and found my way back to Andrews......
Click to expand...

I really hate the stupid DOD rules on firearms! Military bases are the worst gun free zones there are!

like you, retired and cannot take advantage of the benefits of retired travel due to the fact I carry a gun with me. Pathetic!
 
like you, retired and cannot take advantage of the benefits of retired travel due to the fact I carry a gun with me. Pathetic!
Click to expand...

Actually I found that it depended on the base. Some are quite strict (i.e. Andrews AFB) while some are very friendly (i.e. Vandenberg AFB
Vandenberg even has a on base range that is open to retirees.) In my 2 or so years of full timing I found The Air Forces bases the most amenable and Navy Bases the most difficult. Army bases were someplace in the middle, although I did have a problem with March Field, but it was an Air National Guard base and had a real jerk SGT on the gate. (I'll have to tell the tale of my pellet gun adventure sometime.)
I gathered during my travels all over the country that the firearms policy on a base was pretty much up to the Commanding Officer of the base.
 
It has been my experience working as a contractor on a few Navy bases, one Air Force base, and one Air National Guard base the Air Force tends to be easier to deal with in terms of security/rules and regulations whereas the Navy goes overboard with security/rules. I spent 3 years working as a permanent contractor at Navy Submarine Base Kings Bay and was constantly amazed at the "rules" the civilian guards would come up with. It depended on the guard and the day how over the top the gate entry process was, i.e. hold your badge out for scanning, nope remove your badge from your holder for scanning, nope..hand your badge to me for scanning, etc. It was even worse if you rode a motorcycle...show me your license, your helmet is "out of date", your gloves don't meet our new requirement, etc.
 
I would not worry about it. I travel through DC several time a year. I do not stop for gas or pit stop. I go right through. Federal law governs such travel.

NRA-ILA published the following at:
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

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.

The fact that you pass through DC regardless of whether because you chose to, were detoured to, or by navigation error does not change the fact that you are complying with federal law which allows you to,pass through. However, you must comply wit DC Laws if you are stopped by a LEO. So be certain to know those laws like “duty to inform.” Check handgun law.us on the web.

important that you can show your intent was to pass through by being able to show proof of where you were and where you are going. Your DL and a hotel reservation show that. Without such information you might get arrested because some places consider the Federal law to be a defense not a permission unless you can prove you were simply passing through.

I drive through DC and Maryland from SE PA to get to VA. I never speed. I watch ever traffic signal like a hawk, etc. I do not want to get stopped. But I am not traveling without my gun. So I did the research on the above to be prepared. But, I am not a lawyer so this in not legal advice. It is just my understanding and actions based upon that understanding.
 
FOPA says you can "carry" except that means remove from your person
in[to] the trunk in a locked container separate from ammunition.
Click to expand...
FOPA applies only to direct transport from Point 'A' to Point 'B', and the weapons must be legal on both places.
Don't even THINK about having a weapon* anywhere in your vehicle -- anywhere -- while in DC for any reason.




* or even empty shell casings....
(DC is a nightmare beyond even your wildest dreams)
 
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MEHavey said:
FOPA applies only to direct transport from Point 'A' to Point 'B', and the weapons must be legal on both places.
Don't even THINK about having a weapon* anywhere in your vehicle -- anywhere -- while in DC for any reason.
Click to expand...

I have seen statements from retired LEOs that they so distrust the DC PD regarding honoring the LEOSA that they will not carry into the district, even given their special protection.

Recall, a few years ago a soldier driving from Walter Reed was charged with illegal possession of ammunition because during a traffic stop the police found a brass cartridge on the floor of his car.
 
Someplace I have a picture of a sign at the gate onto NAS Whidbey Island, but basically it said that "No POF (privately owned firearms) were allowed on base. All firearms were to be turned into the Security Office (which was off-base) before entering the base. It also stated that any POF found on-base would be confiscated AND destroyed. Talk about hard-nosed.........
 
1942bull said:
I would not worry about it. I travel through DC several time a year. I do not stop for gas or pit stop. I go right through. Federal law governs such travel.

NRA-ILA published the following at:
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof,
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The law seems to apply to states and their political subdivisions, and DC is, of course, not a state. How does this apply?
 
FOPA.

However, you need to actually READ it first.

It does not, for example, allow you to transport your firearm TO D.C. if you can't otherwise legally possess your firearm while in D.C. You can, however, travel THROUGH D.C. with it.

There MAY be a caveat with the fact that D.C. is NOT a "State,or any political subdivision thereof". Find an attorney and see.

HOWEVER...be aware that FOPA not withstanding, what the State/local law enforcement actually DOES may STILL incur quite an inconvenience and expense for you should they decide, for example, to confiscate your firearm. You may indeed get it back, perhaps ONLY after spending the time and money to force the issue through their courts.

BOTTOM LINE:

Your choice...but don't do anything that's definitely illegal. Stay within the letter of the law with respect to FOPA.

Oh...and parts of the beltway around D.C. actually pass through D.C. proper. Keep that in mind.
 
Craig_VA said:
I
Recall, a few years ago a soldier driving from Walter Reed was charged with illegal possession of ammunition because during a traffic stop the police found a brass cartridge on the floor of his car.
Click to expand...

I heard that but I never found out if it was true. Any links?
 
roscoe said:
I heard that but I never found out if it was true. Any links?
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Yes, it was true. I was living in the DC area (NoVA) when it happened, and I recall the stories in the DC papers at the time. While I search for the specific incident, here are two relevant pages:
Warning: D.C. cops under orders to arrest tourists with empty bullet casings
by Paul Bedard | September 05, 2013 12:00 AM, in Washington Examiner

and the DC law that defines ammunition as including cartridge cases.
District of Columbia State Laws and Published Ordinances
Current through April 11, 2019.
"(2) "Ammunition" means cartridge cases, shells, projectiles (including shot), primers, bullets (including restricted pistol bullets), propellant powder, or other devices or materials designed, redesigned, or intended for use in a firearm or destructive device."

Once I find the incident item I will add to this thread.
 
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Speedo66 said:
The law seems to apply to states and their political subdivisions, and DC is, of course, not a state. How does this apply?
Click to expand...

‘Hmm, good point that escaped me. However,
Speedo66 said:
The law seems to apply to states and their political subdivisions, and DC is, of course, not a state. How does this apply?
Click to expand...

Good point. I based my opinion on the fact that under the Interstate Commerce Act D.C. is considered a state when traveling across a state line. Here is a reference to that which I copied to add to my research file while pondering the issue.

“According to 18 USCS § 921 the term "interstate or foreign commerce" includes commerce between any place in a State and any place outside of that State, or within any possession of the United States (not including the Canal Zone) or the District of Columbia, but such term does not include commerce between places within the same State but through any place outside of that State. The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States (not including the Canal Zone).“
 
Craig_VA said:
Not the case I am trying to find, but closely related: Soldier en route from NJ to SC with guns unloaded and locked away, but stopped for an appointment at Walter Red. Arrested during traffic stop.
Dylan Polk - May 22, 2012 on Guns and Ammo.com
Soldier Gets Confiscated Guns Back from Washington, D.C.
Click to expand...

But the article does not go into details of why the guns were confiscated. Were they properly stored? Did the owner mention he stopped at the hospital for an appointment, which would mean he did not drive through as the law requires? Did the LEO know the law? Too little to evaluate. If you find the case you are looking for please post it here. I am very interested in getting more informed on the matter since I drive through DC.
 
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