cross-country-move w/ guns: critique route / idea

[yhtomit]

Hi there!

As plans coalesce for post-law-school endeavors, I'm mapping out my (physical) moves for later -- but not that much later! -- this year. I'm filling out a bar exam application for the state of Washington (the reason I asked some things earlier about gun laws and other gun stuff there), and anticipating a longish road trip from eastern PA to western WA in late spring / early summer.

Gun related? Yes -- because on this trip, I plan to move only myself and whatever I can herd into / onto / behind (not underneath) my Subaru, and I intend that to include my small collection of guns, since I'd rather not trust them to eventual movers, or leave them 3000 miles away anyhow.

The route I'm currently thinking of, with a few stops to sleep at the homes of friends and relatives, looks like this:

http://tinyurl.com/2axtuw

Moving with guns means (I'm confident but not 100pct certain) that I can't plan to camp out in any National Parks (which is too bad, since I'll be passing near some beautiful ones), but other than that, I'm looking for ideas and input about things along the path outlined. Gun shops not to miss? (If I can work it out, I'd love to visit the new FBMG shop, and SLC is on my list anyhow.) Historical attractions?

I don't like going through Chicago with guns, especially, but I'd plan there no stops unless necessary for gas or biological needs.

The trip should take about 50 hours of flat-out driving (that is, the highway driving); I've done equivalent trips quite a few times, though never when gas cost quite so much -- I think a GPS nav-device would be a money-saving device, the way I have sometimes gotten myself misdirected.

I'll be reading up myself, but any advice about how to travel safely, legally and unobtrusively with my "arsenal" (3 long-guns, a folding carbine, and a few handguns) would be much appreciated. Maybe I'll scrape up (well, justify) the money to buy one AR-type EBR first, too, one last gun purchase before re-est'ing WA residency.

On those nights when I stay in a hotel / motel (probably 2-3 in total, of what I will probably make into a 6-day trip), I plan to stay at the cheap variety with outside entrances, where I can park in front of my room, bring in the relevant boxes / bags, and sleep with them in the closet rather than in the trunk.

Or, am I being silly to plan around this transport, and should just mail them to myself in Washington? I believe that this would be possible, since I'd be mailing them to myself (c/o a friend) in a place where I can possess them just as legally as I do in PA. I dislike the idea of entrusting guns to any carrier, frankly, and if they must be overnighted (annoying / expensive), then I'm not sure I like that idea anyhow. If I mailed them, I'd want it by a nice slow method, so I'd be sure to get there first.

And if anyone along that route would like to make their shooting look even better, let me know what range to meet you at for some plinking -- I'm not a consultant, just a weak shot

(And non-gun-related stuff is welcome, too, about route / weather / restaurants / refreshing stops along the way for leg-stretching -- but to keep the board on-task, please email those to me -- timothylord AT gmail DAHT com -- or send as private message. I'm certainly looking for good recommendations about cheap, filling local foods.)

timothy

 

[AntiqueCollector]

Guns must be broken down or locked in a case in national parks, but you can have one there, it'd just be useless for defense...

 

[yhtomit]

AntiqueCollector:

Oh, is that right? That's not so bad -- I am at least OK with that (broken down or locked in case, that is.) I think the long guns will be rendered unfirable (bolts carried separately, say) and carried as inconspicuoiusly as possible. (Snowboard bag, in wagon compartment, dark-tinted glass.

timothy

 

[woad_yurt]

Google "FOPA." Carry a copy of the law with you when you travel.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If the guns are secured in cases and not readily accessible in the passenger compartment, there is provision in the law to allow you to make a "peaceable journey." And it is improbable that you will ever have to put any of this to the test if you follow a few simple precautions and don't give the police any reason to pull you over. Keep your vehicle in good working order (all lights working, registration current, etc.) and don't drive stupid.

One thing that is a thing of the past is pulling off to a random spot on the side of the road for a quick snooze if you get sleepy or even camping overnight. It is virtually guaranteed that a cop will stop to investigate. (Don't ask me how I know this. ) Stick to established campgrounds, motels, etc.

 

[Winchester 73]

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 926APrev | Next § 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

woad yurt, and TLH are correct,a copy of FOPA is a good idea.
And don't worry about being silly.Take your guns with you as the law allows.
Some trip ideas from your route:Amish Country and South Bend(Notre Dame),Indiana,Pikes Peak,Iowa,Scotts Bluff,Nebraska,Rocky Mtn.Nat.Park,Colorado,Salt Lake City,Utah Mormon Tabernacle,Craters of the Moon and Snake River,Idaho,and lastly State Route 20 Washington, is a fantastic way to finish your trip.
Have a great time!

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000926---A000-.html

 

[yhtomit]

If the guns are secured in cases and not readily accessible in the passenger compartment, there is provision in the law to allow you to make a "peaceable journey." And it is improbable that you will ever have to put any of this to the test if you follow a few simple precautions and don't give the police any reason to pull you over. Keep your vehicle in good working order (all lights working, registration current, etc.) and don't drive stupid.

Good advice on all counts, and (by intent) it fits the way I try to drive even when I am *not* carrying a gun. Even with a CCW and a locked gun in the back compartment, driving with a gun always seems to make me feel more alert I've made quite a few cross-country treks by car over the past 15 years, and my lone speeding ticket stop was a set-up! (Not that I'm bitter.)

Now, does anyone have any good gun-related destinations (such as manufacturers with factory tours -- would really like that for a leg-stretching stop!) or even quite non-gun-related stops along the way portrayed? (Map again: http://tinyurl.com/preview.php?num=2axtuw) FBMG is already on the list -- that's one of my reasons for hitting Salt Lake City.

And fearing that this thread may be too much about my trip-with-guns rather than of general interest re: guns, I plan to cool it in this thread, but pose something similar on Armed Polite Society when I get a chance to.

The replies so far have been great, though -- thanks.

timothy

 

[jnyork]

Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody Wyoming. Home of the former Winchester collection, one of the best firearms museums in the world, if you get within 400 miles of it, it's worth a detour. Figure on at least one whole day, two would be better.

 

[Old Sarge]

Under NO circumstances, should you ship them via household goods, with a moving company. Years ago, I read a tragic tale of someone who had several collector's guns among his household goods. The moving truck caught fire and destroyed everything. The insurance only paid him pennies on the dollar.

 

[Winchester 73]

Now, does anyone have any good gun-related destinations

Deadwood,South Dakota,Bill Hickok's last stop, is very interesting.The surrounding countryside is gorgeous.Custer State Park and Teddy Roosevelt National Park in ND should not be missed.
You'll see more animals ,from bison to rabbits, than the rest of your long trip combined in western SD and ND.

 

[MT GUNNY]

you should be fine untill you hit Iowa,
do you have a washington ccp? if so Indiana and Ohio shouldnt bother you to much.

 

[TexasBen317]

Am I being naive here? pack the gun cases on the bottom of the load,, and just keep your mouth shut.. I personally would avoid stopping at a gun dealer anywhere so you don't arouse suspicion.. simple terms, Don't ask , don't tell?

I once crossed the Mexian border while on a move with my shot gun and hand guns in the car,, when I went to park and lock the car at a lot, wife ask me, "will the guns be safe? " CRAP I had forgotten I even had them with me.. So back across the border to Texas and on my way.. Don't ask.. Don't tell.

 

[yhtomit]

"Am I being naive here? pack the gun cases on the bottom of the load,, and just keep your mouth shut.. I personally would avoid stopping at a gun dealer anywhere so you don't arouse suspicion.. simple terms, Don't ask , don't tell?"

TexasBen: There are competing concerns wrt where in the load they go. My initial thought was the same as your suggestion -- bottom of the load. However, the reality is that while I'll be during some nights in the (nicely safe) neighborhoods of some friends and relatives, possibly garaged, I will most likely spend 2 or 3 nights (at this point, I'm intending only about that) in hotels / motels. Guns or not, I don't relish the thought of a car full of my possessions in the average parking lot. (Not really related, but once even in a Hilton, the car next to mine was hit by a car bomb! ) If I stop at 1 am to grab 8 hours of sleep, I'd like to be able to carry *at least* the guns and laptop into my hotel room.

If I was assured of easy garaging the whole way, I'd wholeheartedly agree with that suggestion, though.

WRT stopping at gun-linked places, the only *dealer* I'm making into an actual destination is the newly opened FBMG store. I know it's not a museum, but since I want to hit SLC anyhow, I'd really like to pop in and pore over some of those AKs. I suspect I won't actually have time for any factory tours, but there are enough gun makers in the country that it would be a great diversion if it actualy works out to pass one on the way.

Winchester 73: Custer State Park was independently recommended to me today by a relative -- he mentioned it even has a good view of Mt. Rushmore. I think that's on the Tier 2 list: that is, high, but will depend on the price of gas.

Deadwood, SD sounds great, but (in this scheme) is probably one notch down -- I know I'd want to stay longer than I should allow

Lucas: No, I don't have a WA CCW. I realize now that I should have applied for one when I was briefly in Seattle last summer. In states where open carry in a vehicle is legal, I may or may not avail myself; other than that, I am uncertain how the PA one will play in my between-states status, even in states which would otherwise honor it, because I'll be (sorta) "a man without a country." On the other hand, the move won't be complete until I arrange to ship some other things from PA.

Of the states I currently intend to touch, quite a few do honor the PA permit, if I find that it will be valid until I have more completely moved: ID, IN, MI, MO, SD, UT, WY -- 7 of 14 is a lot better than it would have looked 10 years ago!

jnyork: I've been there (to the Buffalo Bill center), and liked it! On this trip, though, I must rule it out as too far north. When I am independently wealthy, it jumps back on the list

As you can tell, I'm excited both about Washington and getting there -- I really ought to write a book about taking road trips

timothy

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Avoid Illinois at all costs. Your route takes you dangerously close to Chicago, home of Gauleiter Daley. Your best bet is to run down through West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma (the JM Davis Gun Museum in Claremore is a must-see!). Run up into Kansas and pick up US 50 (or 54) to run through Dodge City and Garden City to Colorado. From the Springs west, your route looks okay.

ECS

 

[45Badger]

I moved from New Hampshire to Wisconsin in 2000. From Wisconsin to Pennsylvania in 2002. Company managed the whole move. I put all my guns in boxes/cases and basically filled the rear of a Nissan Pathfinder (rear seats folded).

My wife drove the kids in the car, I drove the Pathfinder with the guns and the dog. Every hotel night (NewYork, Ohio, and Wisconsin on the way out, and Indiana, Pittsburgh, and York on the way back) I'd get the doormans luggage dolly, load it up with gun packages, and roll it into the room with us. Every morning, I'd load it up again, and drive on. No problems, no issues.

 

[yhtomit]

Elm Creek Smith: if I wasn't visiting several people in Michigan and at least one possible outside of Chicago (gasp!), I'd gladly go through WV and TN, to see family in both places.

Such is life Claremont museum is one I wish I could get to on this trip. However, I spent all my money on law school rather than lotto tickets ...

45Badger: I'm of like mind -- I want 'em out of the car in my room whenever I have a room to speak of!

timothy