Full Time RVing: Staying Legal in 49 States + Canada

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raindog

raindog

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In a few years, my wife and I are planning to retire, sell the house, and go on the road full-time in an RV. Hopefully we'll be RVing for many years before we become decrepit and need to settle down. We're leaning towards a fifth wheel trailer.

Our voyages will take us over 49 states and Canada, which is a lot of local legalities to consider. I've been thinking about the practicalities of bringing firearms along.

My purposes for having firearms are:
  • Home defense. We still stay at a mix of RV parks and boondocking on BLM land, etc. So there's 2-legged and 4-legged varmints to think about.
  • Plinking and target shooting for fun. I'm one of those people that really enjoys putting holes in paper targets.
  • Possibly some hunting but that's going to depend on when/where we are with friends, etc. (We won't have the freezer space to store a lot of venison!)
Here is my thinking:
  • I recognize there are tricky legalities around a parked RV being considered a car or a home in terms of having a loaded firearm. Still researching that but it's not my primary question here.
  • I think handguns are out. In some states (New York) you have to be a resident with a permit to own a handgun. There are non-resident travel provisions I need to investigate.
I'm thinking of:
  • a shotgun for home defense, which I think is acceptable in all states and Canada.
  • I would also bring a .22LR bolt-action and a .308 bolt-action (for plinking/target/hunting), which would normally be in locked storage except when in use.
  • some quantity of ammunition and .308 reloading supplies...e.g., a Lee Loader plus powder, primer, bullets.
I'm curious if others have faced this issue, or have thoughts?
 
And then you have to bring them back through US Customs................;)
 
The above link is good. I would not bring guns into Canada at all unless I had a valid reason for needing them -- such as a hunting trip. In fact having such a reason is a requirement for doing so. I do not know what constitutes a valid reason to the Canadian government (I know hunting and shooting sports are both OK but do not know what proof is required) and I would definitely want to know before attempting to cross over. Better to find a safe place to stash them on your way north. Depending on which state you cross from, some gun shops will store guns for you. Some will even ship to another FFL for you to pick up. Just gotta call find out. Make arrangements ahead of time and follow state and federal law.

Your reloading supplies are another hurdle to overcome. Ammunition, gunpowder and primers can be brought into Canada in small quantities as long as they are declared, they are for your personal use etc.

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural...importing-exporting-transporting-transit/9907

I have no idea what it takes to bring stuff like that back across the US border though. Likely similar, but worth knowing for sure.

I think your firearm choices are good. With our American patchwork of laws, political correctness, social strife etc. we must think in terms of lowest common denominators and you did so. My comments:
  • Secure storage for firearms; separate secure storage for ammunition. Stuff that can be secured and locked in place, in a way that meets and surpasses all US state requirements, and which is as discreet as possible.
  • No hollow point or other "evil" ammunition (penetrator or tracer rounds for example)
  • Nothing that takes a box magazine, or failing that, nothing that takes more than 10 rounds. 5 round mags would be better. (Although even that wouldn't help you in Washington if the current, proposed legislation passes)
  • I agree with the shotgun idea but nothing crazy or controversial. It should look like a sporting arm.
  • .22 rimfire is fine. I have a single shot Stevens Favorite that is super handy. They don't get more innocuous than a wood stocked, single shot boy's rifle.
  • .308 is practically the same thing as 7.62 NATO. Should be OK but if I had a .270 or 30-06 I might take that instead.
  • I would much rather use a Lee Hand Press than the older Lee Loader. I have and use both, I just prefer a traditional single state press. Then again for the few reloads you are likely to need, just procure the 1-2 boxes of hunting ammunition for the rifle and a brick of .22 for the rimfire. Carrying the reloading equipment and materials is more problematic than just buying a few boxes of ammo. However if it's just something you want to do, don't overlook the shotshell "survival reloader" stuff. If I didn't already have some Lee shotshell reloaders I would look at this: https://www.thexringusa.com/
In my case, since I would leave guns behind in the event I went to Canada, I would be more inclined to include a handgun and simply avoid the few U.S. cities that are not free enough to let me have one unloaded and locked within my domicile. Probably something like a .357 Magnum, which to me is highly versatile and the absolute minimum power level for areas of Montana and Wyoming. Not to mention a fairly effective self defense weapon whether I use .38 or .357.

I would also:
  1. Always have internet access. Always check on latest/greatest regulations before entering a new state. It changes.
  2. Procure multi-state CCW licenses -- although that is mainly because I would be bringing a handgun. Not sure if there would be any value if I just had rifles i.e. likely not applicable to you.
  3. Make sure my driver's license is a "REAL ID" and it wouldn't hurt to make sure my passport is up to date as well.
  4. Read up on lethal use of force rules and legality state by state.
  5. Have a plan for what to do if "something happens". Trauma kit in the rig, lawyer on speed dial, etc. Make sure you and any significant other are in agreement on what needs doing and how it will get done in the unfortunate event that you actually need to use a gun for something besides target shooting.
 
The biggest obstacle to what you purpose will likely be crossing to Canada and back again. You have to do paperwork on your guns in the U.S. with U.S. Customs before you go so that you can return through customs with them---otherwise you have no proof you did not acquire them in Canada. And of course you must comply with the Canadian authorities requirements which will NOT generally include allowing firearms for self-defense against people; but last I checked they did permit the reason of defense against animal predators as cause for having a firearm for protection.The particulars of what is allowed and required are always subject to change and the onus is on you to keep up to date The weapons you intend to have will likely pass muster just about everywhere. Also, plan on a couple cans of GOOD bear spray (OC spray) clearly marked as such; OC for use on humans isn't allowed to civilians in Canada (afaik) but bear spray is OK. The reloading supplies may be, again, a sticking point; read up my friend! I'm about 7 years out from retirement myself and wish you and your Mrs. much luck in your plans...sounds like an adventure!
 
I've thought of doing something similar in a few years...but not "full time", rather extended road trips over a few weeks or months at a time. My plan, honestly, is to avoid the places I'd have issues with firearms in. I may pass through (legally unloading and storing guns while traveling through places like NY) but no plans to spend time there.

WRT Canada, I do want to drive through again to Alaska, but if/when I do, I plan on mailing guns from CONUS to a FFL in Tok to pick up while in the state, and I'll send them back the same way.

https://alaskagunshipping.com

Consider looking into USCCA, regardless if you carry or not. Wife and I are both members (she rarely carries) but they protect you pretty much everywhere.
 
wiscoaster said:
Has anyone published a book on this topic? It's pretty complex
Click to expand...
Hard part would be getting it published before it was out of date, just as a guess. Printing books is a slow, tedious business at best.

Neo-Luddite said:
will likely be crossing to Canada and back again
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There is the option (which I only learned of last year) of the car ferry from Seattle to Alaska, which skips the "drive across Canada" part of the trip.

I've not haunted the RV fora, but have a curiosity about things like maintaining an address for licensing, registration, insurance, etc. I have been told that there are RV "communities" where one can maintain an address for regulatory & renewals purposes. But, I have no actual experience in this.
Choosing a "homeport" is a semi-critical issue in the "cruising" community, as they have to be able to navigate (NPI) Customs, Port Charges, and the like.
 
Check out the CIC (Customs & Immigration Canada) website and the RCMP website. US citizens can bring guns through Canada on their way to AK (and the return trip.) You can not bring any guns that are illegal or restricted in Canada. You have to fill out paperwork and apply for a temporary permit (one for each gun) at the border crossing. Check before you go, the RCMP dies the permit, not CIC, and if there is no RCMP officer on duty when you're at the crossing, you have to wait until the next day.

Re: bear spray in Canada. You darn well better make sure it is clearly marked "bear spray." "Self defense spray" "Sabre Red" etc etc, has the same legal status in Canada as a handgun. Additionally if you use bear spray on a human in Canada, you will be treated as though you used a handgun.

Regarding your overall premise of one gun to be 49 state legal, I would choose a lever action in 357 magnum. Plenty powerful enough for deer and black bear, but you can use 38 spl for plinking/SD. I believe someone is now making a take down version of the Rossi 92. If you wanted a small game/small pest gun, you could add a Savage 42 (or the older model 24) break action 22LR/410 combo gun (or the Chiappa version, not that I would own one) and have just about all of your bases covered with two guns that you can travel anywhere in North America without too much trouble. (I would still steer clear of NY/NYC.)
 
Generally, the two most common and least legal trouble firearms would be a plain pump shotgun and a lever action rifle. As plain as possible on both, wood stock and blued steel are less "scary" and more hunting traditional in the great north of Canada and US. When growing up on the border, the few firearms owners I knew had hunting firearms just for Canada trips. AR-15/10, Mini 14, and the like are strictly forbidden.

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firea...ibition-certain-firearms-and-devices#firearms

Long guns in Canada have to be an overall length of 660mm or longer. Which is just about 26" according to my math. And have at least 470mm or 18.5 inches of barrel length. Pretty typical lengths for hunting rifles and shotguns here.

http://www.firearmstraining.ca/classes.htm

Here is an overview website that looks well done. Also has links to the forms you will need from the Canadian agencies.

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firea...ibition-certain-firearms-and-devices#firearms

When it comes to US travel, you may want to look at state by state travel. Many states offer non resident permits so you can have handguns while visiting other states. Florida is a common permit to have as a non resident and is accepted in 37 states, according to their website. Obviously this permit won't help you in states like New York that radically restrict their own citizens from being armed, let alone someone from out of state. The options are either to avoid bad states or be armed within their laws.

https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Reso...-License/Concealed-Weapon-License-Reciprocity
 
In planning for my eventual retirement dream of becoming a full time RVer, I got a Mossberg 500. I’ve never heard of assault shotguns being banned anywhere. Don’t care to leave the US in my travels, and I’ll be a retired LEO (HR218) for my handgun needs.
 
roscoe said:
I would think an inexpensive pump shotgun would the the ticket.
Click to expand...

Canada would be the big obstacle. In the US a lockbox for ammo and a locking case for a shotgun (Something with at least two barrels- one 20" plain riot barrel, one 26-30" field barrel, and maybe one slug barrel if you were to deer hunt.

JTHunter said:
Or maybe a decent SxS shottie with double triggers.
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A drilling would be a good choice, again, in the US only. But an 870 or 500 with 2 barrels would be your best choice.

A handgun could be transported in the lower 48, but you'll have to study well which states allow it out and in what manner.

https://handgunlaw.us/
 
KenW. said:
In planning for my eventual retirement dream of becoming a full time RVer, I got a Mossberg 500. I’ve never heard of assault shotguns being banned anywhere. Don’t care to leave the US in my travels, and I’ll be a retired LEO (HR218) for my handgun needs.
Click to expand...
In a thread I posted here to determine a 50-state legal gun to leave in my car I discovered at least one state had a magazine limit for pump shotguns, so a shotgun with an extended magazine isn’t legal everywhere. I don’t know how you’re defining “assault shotgun” but extended magazines are definitely restricted.
 
I always thought your tent or trailer was considered your home along with the same Constitutional protections as a sticks and bricks abode---maybe not while moving but when set up and camping-----wouldn't the firearms protection act(can't remember what it was actually called) protect you while going down the road?
 
Omaha-BeenGlockin said:
wouldn't the firearms protection act(can't remember what it was actually called) protect you while going down the road?
Click to expand...
You are thinking of FOPA (1987)
But, it requires things to be locked up and secured away from drivers & passengers and separated from ammunition.
And, there are States with, ahem, a "spotty" record of recognizing FOPA.

The protection given to/within a person's "home" varies from State to State in the particulars, and those particulars matter. And, only apply when parked, not while moving.

Laws are guidelines not guarantees.
 
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