Transporting Arms across State Lines

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ulflyer

ulflyer

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I know a guy that is moving permanently from R.I. to N.C.
He asked me how he should transport his firearms in his private vehicle. Told him I wasn't sure, but if it were me, I'd make sure they were unloaded, wrapped securely, and locked in the trunk. What say you folks?
 
And don't even THINK about giong through DC. When he gets to NC make sure that they are in the trunk away from anyone with ready access until he gets his CHL. In all honesty I would ship them to a local FFL and pick them up when he gets here. What part of NC?
 
also make sure the ammo is in a separate container
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That is important because some of those states will consider a gun loaded if there is a box of ammo near the gun. Idiocy.
He should be fine if he can do what these guys have advised. Maybe even go to the extent to box them all up nicely unless he has a lockable case. The hard cases can be cheap, $10 or so, and they'll take a couple locks and that should do it. If I could make more than one trip or make the trip(s) in more than one vehicle, I'd separate the guns between vehicles/trips. That way not all your eggs are in one basket.
 
In all honesty I would ship them to a local FFL and pick them up when he gets here.
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And fill out a slew of 4473's to get them back? Uh uh.

Cased, unloaded, in the trunk. Drive carefully - don't speed. If there are any RKBA bumper stickers or political stickers on the car, lose them.
 
Just follow the instructions in the '86 FOPA (Firearms Owners Protection Act) and there should be no problem so long as you make no extended unnecessary stops along the way (stopping for gas or food is one thing, stopping for two weeks to visit a relative would be a problem in the real anti-gun states). Lock them in a case separate from the ammo, put in the trunk and even in the real bad states there should be no problem.
 
He can go through whatever areas he wants as long as the guns are unloaded and in the trunk, and he doesn't stop anywhere for longer than to buy gas/food/whatever. The McClure-Volkmer Act (1986 FOPA) guarantees him safe passage through any locality in the united states so long as his guns are legal in both origin and ultimate destination.
 
consider a u-haul... thats how i moved when i went from FL to NC, my guns were in a hard locked case right next to my TV and my computer tower.
 
You can mail them to yourself. Not that I'd want them out of my sight when moving! :D

A FIL once removed had a shipping company move his stuff earlier this year. Very anal scientist he is, he labeled every box. The boxes labeled "Dewalt chop saw" and other like items never were found in the storage unit they delivered to. The extensive gun collection was safe and sound in the large upright boxes the size of coffins. Those boxes were labeled "scientific equipment." :D

Justin
 
Most of FOPA is GREAT for gun owners. The only really bad part is the Hughes amendment banning post-86 machine guns. The rest of FOPA is a boon to our community and makes our lives much easier.
 
Most of FOPA is GREAT for gun owners. The only really bad part is the Hughes amendment banning post-86 machine guns. The rest of FOPA is a boon to our community and makes our lives much easier.
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If we were to get rid of the unconstitutional law that made it necessary to have the FOPA in the first place, wouldn't that be a much better solution?

Woody

The underlying problem concerning the law that "allows" or "requires" us to get a permit is law that makes carrying a gun "unlawful" to begin with. It starts there, then laws are passed that create exceptions to the original law, to allow carry under certain conditions after you jump through a few hoops and pay a fee. It is that original law that is unconstitutional. Eliminate that original law, then there is no opportunity to require permits. B.E.Wood
 
I always print a copy of the state AG letter...

...in the state I'm going TO. That covers me. I drive through NY and MA all the time with guns in the vehicle, on my way to VT, NH, ME. Those places are still free states, and will allow you to have your guns. Print out your travel itinerary, like Mapquest page of your trip. This convinces even the most curious of cops that I'm really going where I say.
Also, when's the last time your car was searched on a road trip?
Never?
Thought so. THR members seem to NOT fit the profile of street punk gangbanger. Cops don't harass this bunch often.
 
If we were to get rid of the unconstitutional law that made it necessary to have the FOPA in the first place, wouldn't that be a much better solution?
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Sure, but that's not what I was responding to. He said we need to repeal FOPA. As this country stands right now, repealing FOPA would be a very bad plan indeed.
 
Put em in a box in the trunk, scratch off the "Insured by Smith & Wesson" bumper sticker and move on down the road.
 
Originally posted by Conqueror: Most of FOPA is GREAT for gun owners. The only really bad part is the Hughes amendment banning post-86 machine guns. The rest of FOPA is a boon to our community and makes our lives much easier.
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Yes it is good but it violates the states rights.

If you approve of FOPA then you must approve of national reciprocity or a national CCW permit. After all it benefits gun owners. We can't support some unconstitutional law when it benefits us. Either we support all or none.
 
That was not the original question, so please stop twisting my words to make me look like some apologist anti. All you said was "we need to repeal FOPA." You didn't say "and all other restrictive gun laws." Since you only advocated repealing FOPA, I told you what a bad idea repealing only FOPA would be.
 
as long as he does not stop in NY, MA, MD, or NJ along the way.
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As long as you are transporting as per the fed rules, you can stop in MD. MD is stricter on Marylanders transporting handguns intrastate than they are out of staters passing through.

If you are travelling from out of state, you should be fine stopping for gas, food or hotel as long as the handguns are unloaded in the trunk.
If it is just long guns, then it is not an issue as long as they are unloaded.
 
And don't even THINK about giong through DC. When he gets to NC make sure that they are in the trunk away from anyone with ready access until he gets his CHL. In all honesty I would ship them to a local FFL and pick them up when he gets here. What part of NC?
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They can go through DC.
(3) With respect to firearms, any nonresident
of the District participating in any lawful recreational
firearm-related activity in the District, or on
his way to or from such activity in another jurisdiction:
Provided, that such person, whenever in
possession of a firearm, shall upon demand of
any member of the Metropolitan Police Department,
or other bona fide law enforcement officer,
exhibit proof that he is on his way to or from
such activity, and that his possession or control
of such firearm is lawful in the jurisdiction in
which he resides: Provided further, that such
weapon shall be unloaded, securely wrapped,
an carried in open view.
Click to expand...
Never stop though.
 
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