How do you plan a trip across states?

Start here....

http://handgunlaw.us/

And then use the "create license map" button on the left.

I take a shotgun with a short barrel, keeping it in the trunk. Entirely legal. If asked, I tell them I am a wild-hog shooter. I know of no gun law that prohibits carrying a hunting rifle or shotgun. Whatever you do, don't lie about carrying a weapon. Even if stopped for a traffic infraction, the cop may ask permission to search for drugs, and you had better okay the request. If you lie about the possession of a gun, and the cop subsequently finds it, you may well be in a heap of trouble, including confiscation of the gun, a fine, possible arrest. etc. Just keep the shotgun in the trunk and keep a box of #4-shot shotgun shells handy.

I travel in a motorhome, usually with a bevy of varmint rifles, plus a shotgun. I also keep a .357 Model 66 S&W handy. IIRC, a motorhome has the status of being your "home" in all 50 states, so the law can't touch you for keeping a self-defense weapon in your MH. There are a number of sites that list all the laws for traveling with handguns, and IIRC, someone has a book out (check with Amazon) on the subject. When traveling in my car, I don't worry about it. I just keep a shotgun in the trunk. I like the Charles Daly 8-shot in the short-barreled version. It retails for around $260. This one is much lighter than the similar version Mossberg, but since it will probably (hopefully) never be used in a self-defense situation, I can't see spending a lot of money for something I might never use.

Even if stopped for a traffic infraction, the cop may ask permission to search for drugs, and you had better okay the request.

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WHAT? Wow, some fun will be had over THAT statement.

That point has been done to death here on THR, but, once more, NO, you don't have to grant permission for any search, and, unless the officer has valid probable cause to continue with one, he cannot do so, legally.

Saying "Officer, I do not consent to any searches," is absolutely NOT probable cause.

I wouldn't lie about having a weapon in the car, either, and I don't do any illegal drugs or EVER drink and drive. But I'm still not offering myself up for a fishing expedition.

Learn to exercise your rights! They belong to you and many have died to preserve them!

-Sam

Call the Oregon BATFE and find out EXACTLY what you want to know. They have helped me in the past. Record the conversation if you can, so you have it on tape if you're stopped.

United States: Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE)

Address:
Ste 700
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Portland, OR 97232-1274

Phone:
(503) 331-7810

Sam1911 I second that 100%! You do NOT have to OK a search request, and it doesn't mean you're guilty of a crime if you do!

Sorry Goofy, bad advice there.

Thanks Sam I thought it was just me wondering about that statement.

Also here is good: http://www.carryconcealed.net/packngo

I also keep a .357 Model 66 S&W handy. IIRC, a motorhome has the status of being your "home" in all 50 states, so the law can't touch you for keeping a self-defense weapon in your MH.

NJ, NY, and MD are 3 states that come to mind that all guns need to unloaded and locked up in your motorhome if you're rollling. There are probably more.

simply asking why would you want to do that? is a good way to see if they have probable cause. if they really want to they can search your car, they will find a way. You can make up bs about this, that and the other, but if you're acting really nervous, that's when they will want to do a random search of your vehicle.

If you say no, and they DO have probable cause, just remember, they will rip your car apart looking for what they want. Why, because with that little peice of paper, they can, and they want to find something. Ive had my car searched, with consent, took 5 minutes and and the officer left anything in tact. He said that he smelled alcohol, and was looking for a container...

Same scenario, a friend got pulled over, the officer said he smelled marijuana. Friend laughed and said he didnt use anything like that. He didnt consent to the search and 20 min later the sgt arrived with the papers and they RIPPED HIS CAR APART. never found anything, but now his car is in shambles...i never knew that your backseat could actually come out of your car. like it just snaps out.

Ohh well, guess he should have just consented...since he had nothing to hide...

neverjeg said:

I guess I should peel the NRA sticker off and hide the shooting hats before I leave

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That is probably a good idea for not attracting attention of police and more importantly, thieves.

I have seen LEO's on here say that they would be annoyed if you refused a search, but that would be the extent of it.

Luck of the draw I guess if you get a jerk who is going to rip your car apart once they get a warrent, if that is what the piece of paper refers to.

It does suck big time though that a law abiding citizen cannot carry thier weapon in thier car, no matter where they are. Someone should compain to the government about this.

I know of no gun law that prohibits carrying a hunting rifle or shotgun.

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Be very careful. In Illinois, you can carry a hunting rifle or shotgun in your trunk, but only if it's enclosed in a case designed for the transport of firearms and unloaded. There's also some scary language in the law about going to or from hunting (in season), a private dwelling, or a shooting range.

-Jephthai-

If probable cause exists to search your car then the officers do NOT need a warrant and they WILL search (Lots of case law on this subject). If no probable cause exists then they will NOT search and they will NOT be able to get a search warrant. I call B.S. on post #11 regarding "He didnt consent to the search and 20 min later the sgt arrived with the papers and they RIPPED HIS CAR APART." After 25 yrs as a LEO and now as a sitting Judge I can assure you they did not go and prepare a search warrant, (usually have it reviewed by a D.A.) and then find a judge, swear to its truthfullness, have the judge review and then sign it and return to the scene in 20 minutes.
I tell my family and friends NEVER CONSENT to a search of anything, anywhere, ever!

I know this won't be popular, but you may want to consider not carrying it when you are driving, as long as you aren't pulling into any shady motels or anything. You may want to consider having it locked up securely, the way many states require everyone else to.

The reason I suggest this is that there is always the chance that you could run into one of those cops who make it their mission in life to make your life difficult. What happens if a cop decides that he thinks you aren't carrying legally and decides to confiscate your gun? Sure, in a court of law you may find yourself in the right, but this court of law may be located 750 miles away from your residence.

There are cops who just like to screw with people who come from out of state, knowing that it isn't worth your while to come to court multiple times to defend yourself.