? about guns on a roadtrip across America

I, myself, would leave all firearms at home and keep out of places where you might get yourself in trouble.

You don't need to be locked up for having one in the wrong state or jurisdiction where you are not well-aquainted with their laws and where it just happens to get noticed during some minor collision, or for that matter - any other reason.

I know MASS. has TOUGH GUN LAWS, I mean "JAIL-TIME" tough! I'm sure there are other states and jurisdictions that do as well, I'm just not familiar with them all.

Heck, you almost need (these days) to have a GPS connected to your laptop computer (on the road) with software telling you EXACTLY where you can and can't go with a weapon!

coosbaycreep said:

You folks wouldn't happen to know if I could get away with taking bear spray or pepper spray with me on my trip, do you?

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Legal in most of the New England states if not used for unlawful purposes, but NOT legal in Massachusetts unless you have a carry permit or FOID. (I think that's the way it works. I remember once mentioning to an LEO/Jeeper acquaintance from MA that I had left my gun at home and took pepper spray on a visit to Massachusetts, and he told me I was damned lucky I didn't have to use it because I would have been in worse trouble than the assailant.)

Yes Ma does require a minimum of an FID card. There was a thread in the legal section on a trucker who was in a fender bender and told the cops he had weapons in his truck and he's in deep doo doo now. I've said this before and I will keep repeating it DO NOT come to Ma with any firearms,mace,tear gas,OC martial arts weapons etc if you get caught you'll be spending time in the gray bar hotel and since it's a felony you lose your 2nd amendment rights forever.

I've said this before and I will keep repeating it DO NOT come to Ma with any firearms,mace,tear gas,OC martial arts weapons etc if you get caught you'll be spending time in the gray bar hotel and since it's a felony you lose your 2nd amendment rights forever.

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Word to the wise. You can travel through Mass with firearms, just make sure they are locked in the trunk separate with the ammo. Mass requires a FID for Mace/pepper spray.Tasers/stun guns are completely illegal in the state. Though there are few restrictions on knives in the state. No automatic knives etc. Might be worth carrying a decent knife.

I know a person from CT, who traveled into Mass and had his guns open on the backseat. He got pulled over for speeding. His guns were confiscated by the Police officer. He had to show up for court to plead his case. He was ordered to pay a fine, and was barred from bringing any weapons into the state again. He did get his guns returned.

The only exceptions that Massachusetts grants for non residents not needing a LTC; is for competitors in a sanctioned match and hunting. But one must have proof of the match, and all firearm are locked in a case.

Post #23 above has some excellent advice.

I completely understand your situation. It would be nice to be able to have legal protection with you every where you travel...but it's simply not feasible. The morass of State laws have been discussed above...but there are also individual county and city laws that add more restrictions!

Either way...traveling "helpless" or "being armed anyhow"...you take a risk. In NYC I was fortunate to avoid a physical assault from a young "Cudjo" (I inadvertently splashed water on his car while driving in a rainstorm...he happened to have a window partly down) by pretending I had a pistol. Two other times (Fresno and Santa Rosa, CA) I avoided physidal assaults by simply showing that I had a pistol...no need to fire either time...the bad guy (four in Fresno!) quickly and quietly backed away and, I suppose departed to find someone who was not armed.

I have a CCW permit and have a list of those states who have reciprocity. I don't drive with a new, shiny, expensive car...that can make you a target. In traveling through places unfriendly to my CCW, I still have one handy in my car...but I don't violate driving laws and I keep it under cover. I stay low key. And, I can always lock the gun in the trunk in a locked metal case whenever that seems advisable.

So far I've had no problems with the law...but I fully realize the risk I take. As I said, you take a risk either way.

You know, it does get old to repeat the FACTS but,

YES you CAN have -- a pistol or an AR even-- if it is unloaded and cased in Chicago and Illinois as long as the weapon is lawful in your home local/state.

NO Foid needed, and the law in Chicago SPECIFICALLY allows you to travel--even LODGE in Chi with the weapon provided it's cased and unloaded.

A cased unloaded weapon in IL is 100% OK even if you are from out of state.

Go to the ISP website and check out their link to the Chi gun law if needed.

Yes, the GUEST in Chi can be spot-on legal with an AR or pistol when a resident can't be.

The law even allows you to buy ammo, but in practice the store might refuse--so bring ammo.

All this said, I'd be low-key and not dance around a mall with an unloaded weapon in your fanny pack tempting interaction.

Safe journey.