cross country road trip with a gun

[paintballdude902]

ok well me and one of my best friends are graduating high school this year im 18 and hes 17 (turns 18 in august). but we were talking today while we were shooting about college and how wer both moving off, im moving about halfway across the state and hes going to either az or the coast guard accadamy in ct and we started talking about doing a road trip as a last big hoorah.
but both of us being gun nuts and future concealed carriers when we turn 21 want to take at least one gun with us just in case. i said that out best option would either be the .30-30 or 12guage pump, he wants to take his m1 but idk, since neither of us are 21 the pistols are pretty well out of the question. what laws are there to stop us from doing this? i was thinking it would be better we took one of my guns since im 18 and they are legally mine and i am allowed to have them by federal law.

does this sound like a good idea? what would be the best way of securing them in the jeep so they are not concealed but still secure and easily in reach? a locked hard case with a key?

the plan is to go from north carolina to komifornia where we both have family, go to his grandfathers ranch put the jeep in the back of the duece and a half and drive the duece home( im taking alot of ear plugs ) i think we'd end up taking us-50 which would go thru:
Nevada
Utah
Colorado
Kansas
Missouri
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio
West Virginia
Virginia
Maryland

the only ones i really think wed have to worry bout is illinois and cali

 

[TAB]

google FOPA

 

[paintballdude902]

tab
so as long as its a federally legal firearm and is locked in a case in the back we couldnt get introuble correct?

its specifies an extended amount of time, what is this considered? mor than a day or two? are we fine if we just stopp to camp for the night?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

If your using Highway 50, you'll be passing within a mile of my house. If we're home, stop by for dinner. If I'm at work, I'll buy you the best burger in town.

Keep in touch.

 

[wyocarp]

Wow Larry, does that offer stand for all of us on here or just the OP?

 

[Five of Clubs]

What a generous offer! THR is full of good people.

I bought a CCW travel guide from a local gun shop to help me plan travel routes when we vacation. I've never checked it for laws regarding long guns, but I'd be surprised if it weren't in there as it's pretty inclusive. It might be worth a look the next time you're in a shop to ask if they have something like that.

 

[paintballdude902]

haha thanks larry ill shoot u an email when we get the details figured out

what would be your choice firearm for a road trip?

 

[paintballdude902]

well johnny shouldnt i be able to carry a rifle or shotgun anywhere in the country?

and thanks for the idea i hadnt thought about taking a .44 lever i think that may end up being my rifle of choice ill just take my brother in laws god knows he hasnt used it in 3-4 years

 

[4Freedom]

I suppose carrying an AR-15 with a few 30round mags is real no-no for such a road trip right?

 

[paintballdude902]

yeah i figured i would want to stay away from semiautos for a road trip gun just seams like if i had to show a cop it, that it may lead to having a harder time with the officer than say a lever action or a shotgun

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Wow Larry, does that offer stand for all of us on here or just the OP?

We've had quite a few members here for dinner. Never a problem with any of them. Hence the invitation.

what would be your choice firearm for a road trip?

Out of the current inventory, probably my Mini-14.

 

[X-Rap]

Just don't forget a case and know which states require that it be unloaded, some may have some peculiar storage requirements for gun and ammo but a nice lever carb. in not a bad travel gun.

 

[paintballdude902]

yeah ive been reading and i cant find anything that would stop me from taking a lever rifle across state lines as long as i meet the state requirements for storing it so im thinking im gonan buy a hard case put a lock on it and then maybe a smaller one for the ammo and that should satisfy any states laws and if they dont like it screw em

 

[paintballdude902]

haha yeah but i dont imagine that the gun being locked up and the ammo being locked up seperate wouldnt satisfy event he worst of the states then when i get to more gun friendly states ill probably unlock the case and make it more accessible

 

[David E]

One thing to consider is, how will you get the gun into the motel room without being seen? (Or it being seen and readily identified as a gun)

Why are you wanting to take one? If you're like me, it's for road security or for the motel.

This is one of the few times I'll suggest a shotgun. Specifically, a side by side that you can take down to transfer into the motel room in a short duffle bag. Penetration issues are minimized (with proper load selection) and 2 shots of 12 gauge at 5-10 feet should do the job.

.

 

[heavyshooter]

Out of the current inventory, probably my Mini-14.

Mega dittos on this one.

As I was going through the thread I was wondering what I would carry (because I would definitely carry something). I concluded that I would take a Mossberg 590 or a Ruger Mini-14. Maybe we should take both.

Heavy

 

[John Wayne]

I have heard that some states (like California) not only require guns to be registered to you, but also to be registered in that STATE. Seems like a stupid rule to me, but then so do other California gun laws.

Last episode of COPS I watched, a guy in Cali got pulled over and was taken to jail on felony charges because he had a loaded, registered .22 rifle in his trunk!

On a side note, the only thing I found my Kel-Tec Sub 2000 useful for, before I sold it, was for this purpose. You get the portability of a pistol (almost) but it's technically a rifle; which is of particular use to you since you're not 21. Also, when folded the gun is "disassembled" and cannot fire. I don't know if they're CA legal though.

 

[woad_yurt]

A cross country road trip with a gun?

Cool idea. Count me in! However, I think that this thread should be moved to the Rallying Point section.

 

[TAB]

have heard that some states (like California) not only require guns to be registered to you, but also to be registered in that STATE. Seems like a stupid rule to me, but then so do other California gun laws.

CA laws say nothing of the sort. The only time it matters rather a gun is registered too you or not is when your CCW illegally. If the gun is registered to you, then its only a misdemeanor, if its not, its a felony. If your from out of state, your hand gun will not be registered with the CA doj, so your screwed. The only state I know of that has mandatory registration for people bringing guns from out of state is Hi.( where its legal to do so)

 

[paintballdude902]

johnny we are either taking a jeep wrangler or my dodge dakota pickup so there is no trunk the back seat would be fine in all states as long as its locked correct?

the reason i want to take it is we are going to be camping most of the time maybe 1-2 hotel stays thats it. im kinda unusual (for the average person) i dont feel really safe without a firearm i have a very bad left shoulder (seperated ac joint possibly torn rotator cuff and a recently head clavical plus some muscle damage im currently going to physical therapy 2 times a week) so i cant do alot with my left arm if we got into some kind of trouble where we had to defend our selves

i like the idea of a sxs as i already own one but a pump shotty is almost as easy to take down

 

[MovedWest]

I've driven pretty much the reverse route and I think you're nuts for wanting to do it. But regardless, I hope you enjoy it and have a great trip!

I made this trip with my wife and my dog. When, I won't say, but I was definitely packing. As long as you have the firearms unloaded and locked in a secure container you should be in the clear. Ammo should also be in the trunk and separate from the firearms.

During my trip I had most of my arms locked up as described excepting my 44 magnum which was loaded and tucked securely into a backpack behind the passenger seat of the vehicle - approximately arms reach for me. This was completely illegal - but if you need it, you need it. It was a risk I was willing to take to ensure my family's safety.

Best bet is to avoid run-in's with the law by respecting the speed limits and other traffic laws. If you do have weapons with you, don't make it obvious. There's a recent case of a fellow in LA who showed up to pick up a friend at the airport with 16 firearms in his vehicle. Everything was legal except a couple misdemeanors. Due to the knee-jerk reaction of the LAPD, he's now facing 11 charges including a couple felonies. Remember, just because you don't break the law doesn't mean you won't have the book thrown at you.

CA law say no rifle/shotgun barrels under 18", no 50 caliber BMG, and no clips over 10 rounds (all are felonies). Also, no transportation of loaded guns (misdemeanor). Make sure you hit Orange County beaches and San Diego when you get to CA.

Good luck on your trip and have fun!

-MW

 

[NavyLCDR]

If you really want to have fun, check out www.opencarry.org, figure out where you can open carry a handgun at 18 and do so in those states. I do not know of the legality of possession of a handgun by an 18 year old in California. But as long as the handgun is legal to possess in your home state and your destination state, there would be no problem having a handgun unloaded in a closed case even in the states where 18 year old possession of a handgun is illegal because of FOPA.

Your 17 year old partner could not carry a handgun for self defense anywhere as that violates Federal law.

Like all the others have said, though, locked case, gun unloaded, ammo separated (even though not required by FOPA, good idea to avoid trouble) no 30 round mags in California, you should be just fine. I wouldn't worry about carry the gun cases into a hotel, I don't see a problem if someone sees them.

 

[TMM]

FWIW:
Several months ago i went on a 21,000 mile roadtrip through the country, spanning four and a half months' time. Not once did i even get in a close encounter (which i was very surprised at, i must say)... maybe i trust people a little too much for my own good, but no issues. one time a firearm would have been nice as insurance is when i camped out in a national forest with a convicted felon, kid with several arrests, and his GF. but they were cool people, we exchanged goods and stories, and parted ways the next morning.

..just a little personal experience. if you decide to bring something, all the power to you. i'd just try to find a way to make your piece as quickly accessible as possible.

TMM

 

[D-Day]

I'd get a toolbox for your truck. Bolt it to the bed, and keep crap locked up in there. That's what I do for my truck. Been from St. Louis to the White Mountains that way with rifle and pistols.

 

[paintballdude902]

moved west when i get to cali im going to san fran to see my cousin la to see my brother and then la jola to see my aunt of course ill be at the beach

d-day i was thinking about that today ive been meaning to pickone up they are all locking anyways soo that would reduce problems even more so

thanks alot everyone