Best planning method for multi state travel with guns?

[P95Carry]

OK, we had a thread about a handgun choice for muti state travel .... this is similar - and different.

I am considering a trip down to Dallas mid next month, for the Market Hall gun show .... I will travel thru many states on my round trip .... hoping en route to call and see people. ....... maybe even get a shoot here and there.

The problems are numerous and I am researching ..... today downloaded state law PDF's from ATF site and will read thru them all.

When I leave PA, I'll be carrying as usual (until border)..... but my route will probably be ..... WV, KY, TN, AR and then TX .. return trip may be ..... after TX ....... OK, KS, MO, IL, IN, OH and then home. Lot of states. I'll also have some other guns on board . maybe a rifle, carbine, or three, and maybe even another handgun or two.

So ... what is best approach here? I have to assume that carry is out once outa PA ... but, am concerned as to best way of transportation of all the gear (truck - so no trunk). Plus, how to best get round being defenceless in most places!! That really sux.

I direct this most I guess at others with experience of multi state travel ... as to what is best approach, and what to be careful of. I am tempted to leave IL and OH out of the return trip simply cos of their bad gun attitudes.

What's my best research method?

 

[Standing Wolf]

http://www.packing.org

 

[P95Carry]

Already included that SW, thx .. first port of call in fact. Problem is .... piecing together all the fragments .... so as to make a clear picture for all states to be encountered!!

 

[SteelyDan]

I've tried to research this a couple of times in the past, and never could figure out just what was permitted where. Especially since counties and municipalities along the way may have their own rules, plus there's always the possibility of a national park or something along the way.

Botom line, I think you have two choices.

First, be discreet, use your good judgment, and do what you're comfortable with. I cannot advise this approach, however, since it may violate the laws in some jurisdictions you may encounter.

Second, everything must be inaccessible, in the very back of the truck. All firearms must be in cases, and the cases should have some sort of lock. No ammo in cases; have it in a separate locked container. Take the bolt out of rifles, take the slide out of semi pistols, and otherwise do easy disassembly of whatever you can. No mags (even empty) in same case as firearm. Sounds silly, but this way you can, probably, legally drive through 99% of the country. If you "stop" somewhere (and I could never figure out if that meant at a gas station, a restaurant, a hotel for the night, or a friend's house for a day or two), the rules may become a bit more restrictive.

 

[Greg L]

If you "stop" somewhere (and I could never figure out if that meant at a gas station, a restaurant, a hotel for the night, or a friend's house for a day or two), the rules may become a bit more restrictive.

My understanding of "stop" (and I am neither a lawyer on the internet or in real life so take it for what it's worth) is that the first three examples are ok (the hotel in a larger state that takes a while to drive through) but the friend's house wouldn't be. Also the other stops should be along the direct route of travel. Stopping at a McDonalds at the end of the off ramp is ok. Stopping at a McDonalds 20 miles from the interstate (while passing 3 other McDonalds to get there) probably isn't. However if there is a good restaurant 20 miles away (non chain type) a good argument could be made that the detour is ok (restaurant is listed in a travel guide or something similar).

Probably easier just to lock things up securely in the back of the truck. :banghead:

Greg

 

[Lennyjoe]

I too am going on walkabout when I return from oversees. One of my cures was to get my Florida CCW by mail. Covers most of the southern states that I am going thru.

My Arizona one covers a couple that I will be visiting when I head up to Montana.

The ones I dont have covered Im gonna have to assume the status of sheeple. Like Ohio for instance. Gonna spend a week there with my brother.

Sure would be nice to have a CCW that covers all the states.

Maybe one day.

 

[sctman800]

I agree with SteelyDan about being descreet and locked unloaded in cases. That should get you through Illinois without any problem. Of course don't get near Chicago, I live in central Ill. and can't think of any reason in the world to get me near that gunowner hellhole. Other than that my best advice would be to drive carefully, and check all your lights and turn signals for proper operation. Not getting stopped for anything is probably your best defense. Jim.

 

[TechBrute]

What StandingWolf said.

 

[P95Carry]

Thx for all thoughts guys ......... seems like all ''locked and part disassembled'' has to be way to go....... thus far anyways!

 

[Greg L]

Do you have a FL non resident CCW? If you do (or can get one before you leave) it looks like you would be able to carry for most of your trip down to TX. Your return trip on the other hand :banghead: .

Greg

 

[P95Carry]

Greg .. had given that some thought but wasn't sure of needed time frame and also who to contact. Any thoughts? I'd have to act fast. Plus ... my CCW here needed no course .... would they still honor that?

 

[HankB]

If you have an "I Am The NRA" sticker on the rear window, and a "Driver Only Carries $20 Worth of Ammo" bumper sticker, this would be a good time to lose them. (Likewise the "Bad Cop - No Donut" bumper sticker.)

And choose something other than an NRA-ILA baseball cap for your "driving" wardrobe.