Discreet loading in PA?

[hoodfu]

So I've got a carry permit in my home state, and a carry permit for Pennsylvania, but my intent is to drive through New Jersey to get to PA. According to the police website, they honor the federal "driving through" law, which requires everything be unloaded and separately locked in the trunk, which is how I'll do it.

It presents a dilemma for me though. I don't own a residence in PA, so if I wanted to go there and carry for the day, anyone have ideas on what the best way to load the gun would be? I'd feel uncomfortable standing at my trunk behind the car on the street, loading bullets into magazines and handling an unholstered firearm on the street. I'd have to repeat the process when I go to leave the state to go home. There has to be a better and probably more legal way to take care of this. Thanks.

 

[GRIZ22]

You could sit in your car and do it.

 

[hoodfu]

And it being visible is ok/legal? (serious question, I've never had an unholstered gun outside of my house or while at a range)

 

[SMMAssociates]

hoodfu:

You're legal (apparently) in PA, so you can just sit in the car and reload.... Put a coat over your lap if you must ....

I would pick a somewhat less public location - not one of those roadside "traveller's information" places, etc., but you shouldn't have any problems finding something. You have the legal right to stand out in the middle of the parking lot, but I'm not sure that's the best idea ....

Last time I did something like that, I just pulled into the McD's, in a back corner of the lot. A little "gun rug" sort of thing got the gun out of the trunk and into the cab, and that was that.... Then we bought some iced tea....

Hiding in plain sight, unless you've got a seriously attractive young lady along, probably will work just fine.

I really don't know about the visible part. I'm in PA with some regularity, but just keep it concealed. If I get to PIT, though, it's in the glove box as I pull into the parking deck.... (If I'm going to fly, there's another gun already secured in the luggage.... The one in the glove box just stays there.)

Regards,

 

[jonnyc]

I would not sit in my car loading a mag with a coat over my lap...sure to earn you a morals charge!!!

Can't you just lock your loaded mags in one part of the car and the unloaded gun in another? If the unloaded gun is locked in the trunk, do you even need to lock the loaded mags up? Just put them in a closed container that you cannot reach.

 

[General Geoff]

So I've got a carry permit in my home state, and a carry permit for Pennsylvania, but my intent is to drive through New Jersey to get to PA.

I would avoid New Jersey like the plague if I had any type of firearm or ammunition in my vehicle. In all seriousness, I would drive an extra hundred miles just to avoid going into NJ while transporting firearms. People have been arrested and charged for legally transporting firearms through that state.


edit; that said, after travelling through MD, I usually do exactly what you seem loathe to do: I pull over, grab my gear from the trunk, and load up on the shoulder. Then again, I usually make out of state trips at night, so there aren't too many bystanders.

 

[Sam1911]

edit; that said, after travelling through MD, I usually do exactly what you seem loathe to do: I pull over, grab my gear from the trunk, and load up on the shoulder. Then again, I usually make out of state trips at night, so there aren't too many bystanders.

Yup. Rest area, McD's, grocery store ... wherever. If you can park so your trunk faces away from most of the concentration of people, just raise the trunk lid and do your business there. If it is more crowded, take the bag back into the car with you.

Don't over-think it!

And...yeah... mapquest or google maps will help you avoid NJ, which is probably a very good thing. What federal law says (and NJSP website says, too!) and what happens in real life are sometimes distressingly dissimilar.

 

[Greg528iT]

I wonder, is there an APP you can download onto your computer / GPS that will automatically steer you around trouble areas. NJ, Chicago, NY City

I've been learnin up on what states to avoid.

Thanks Sam, Navy and others.

 

[SMMAssociates]

I would not sit in my car loading a mag with a coat over my lap...sure to earn you a morals charge!!!

jonnyc:

ROF,L!

But probably not in Youngstown ....

Can't you just lock your loaded mags in one part of the car and the unloaded gun in another? If the unloaded gun is locked in the trunk, do you even need to lock the loaded mags up? Just put them in a closed container that you cannot reach.

I believe that would satisfy FOPA, but I'm not sure if you wouldn't get into trouble in OH. Here in OH a loaded magazine, when you have a firearm in the vehicle that it fits, makes the gun loaded. Without an OH license (or one valid in OH), it's a felony....

My understanding is that the FOPA does NOT restrict you to unloaded magazines but it might be an issue in OH.... (Loaded speedloaders are also a no-no. En Bloc or stripper clips are OK....)

Regards,

 

[General Geoff]

(Loaded speedloaders are also a no-no. En Bloc or stripper clips are OK....)

Always been curious, what about moon clips?

 

[SMMAssociates]

General:

I don't think anybody's ever asked ....

My guess is that moon clips (or half-moon clips ) would count as speedloaders.

The En Bloc and stripper clips pass muster because ammunition is often sold that way, and it seemed unreasonable (I think many of us OH guys are still trying to accept that the legislators could do anything reasonable) to tell people to unpack factory cartons to take the stuff to the range....

I suppose if you bought a box of pre-loaded moon clips....

***

Guys, while IANAL, and I have no idea what the FOPA (or LEOSA) impact would be, OH considers a loaded magazine or speedloader that corresponds to a firearm in the vehicle to make that firearm loaded. Licensees with handguns are exempt.

Non-licensees with any firearms (and licensees with long guns, too) are NOT exempt....

While you're complaining, remember that the just prior version of the law said that (non-licensees and long guns) one round of ammunition matching a firearm in the vehicle made it loaded.... (Nobody could legally carry a long gun and ammunition in the same vehicle. Non-licensees couldn't carry a handgun and ammunition in the same vehicle....) We are now working on dropping the "loaded magazines or speedloaders".

Technically, loaded long guns could be legal, but it's really a bad idea should somebody with a badge take offense.

OH is an "Open Carry" state, too, but the way the law works you have to stow your weapon, with magazines and speedloaders empty, to go from Point A to Point B, and then get out and load up. You can't do that while still in the vehicle....

We're trying to fix that, too...

Regards,