Driving to N.Y. unarmed.

[toivo]

If you want to get really crazy, you could follow Red Wind's route, but instead of cutting south to NYC, keep going east into Connecticut. Then you could take the car ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson on Long Island. Skip the city altogether.

http://www.88844ferry.com/

I guess it depends on how much of hurry you're in.

PS: I know a really good gunsmith in Milford, PA (about 5 minutes from NY border) if you're thinking of going that route.

 

[dragon813gt]

My wife and I drove all across the State 15 years or so ago, a few others up there too. From Boston to Niagara Falls then back down through Manhattan. Kind of surprised at how much nothing there is up there 5 or 6 cities and a bunch of nothing. The thruway was kind of nice but if it wasn't for the rest stops between the east and west lanes, there isn't a lot to see except land.

Upstate NY is nothing like the NYC area. There is a reason they wish they could annex NYC. I really like the upstate area but they are held captive by a few counties that aren't remotely close to most of the area. NY is a fairly large state.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm another who says go, enjoy the trip. I've done it several times. Just leave the gun at home but BE SURE to bring an EZ Pass. They do like their tolls up there.

 

[jimbo555]

Thanks Redwind, I'll consider the option of a detour.

 

[Red Wind]

You're welcome,Jimbo. And thanks to Toivo,you have a handy gunsmith in Milford to take care of your firearm.

It's all good! Whatever choice you make, have a great, safe trip.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have lived in New York my whole life except for the time in the military (30 years). You can have an shotgun in most places. Driving through New York city is the only exception. The rest of the state is pretty rural and lots of empty spaces. More than one would expect. I wouldn't have a problem with having a shotgun in the back of the truck driving to Long Island. But with all things, travel at your own risk.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

What a beautiful ship. Battleships are indirectly responsible for my firearms interest; as a small child I was taken on a visit to the battleship NORTH CAROLINA, and that sparked an interest in military history. Many years later I discovered military surplus guns, and, well...

 

[Red Wind]

The Battleship New Jersey is certainly a gorgeous piece of work. It was the most decorated Battleship in the the entire annals of United States Navy history and the only battleship that was actively engaged all the way through Viet Nam.

Here is its wonderful story.

USS New Jersey (BB-62; "Big J" or "Black Dragon"[2]) is an Iowa-class battleship, and was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the US state of New Jersey. New Jersey earned more battle stars for combat actions than the other three completed Iowa-class battleships, and was the only US battleship providing gunfire support during the Vietnam War.

 

[chris in va]

I'd be more concerned about driving an RV through all that mess.

 

[thump_rrr]

As a Canadian living about 30 minutes drive from both the NY and VT borders who frequently travels to both NY and NJ to visit family I can tell you the following.
Stay out of Camden, Patterson, Trenton looking to buy crack or heroin at night and you will be ok.
I have been spending several weeks a year in those states for the last 3 decades and I can count on one hand the amount of times I had that feeling that I should be elsewhere.

I really feel safer in NY NJ than I do in Florida and that is a state with CCW.
As far as firearms go I wouldn't bring anything more than a pump action shotgun with a conventional stock if anything at all.

Go enjoy the wedding, you'll be fine.

 

[Rotorflyr]

Can't speak directly to NY/NJ rules/reg's on RV's but in many places they are considered "Homes" (a case in CA comes to mind) and as such you'd be fine with a shotgun/long gun, as long as it meets the State requirement (ie: no magazine, no pistol grip etc) and is secured in a location that can't easily be accessed from the drivers seat.


Might be worth looking into.

Beyond that, look into OC spray reg's for the route of the trip.

 

[NormH3]

As a Canadian living about 30 minutes drive from both the NY and VT borders who frequently travels to both NY and NJ to visit family I can tell you the following.
Stay out of Camden, Patterson, Trenton looking to buy crack or heroin at night and you will be ok.
I have been spending several weeks a year in those states for the last 3 decades and I can count on one hand the amount of times I had that feeling that I should be elsewhere.

I really feel safer in NY NJ than I do in Florida and that is a state with CCW.
As far as firearms go I wouldn't bring anything more than a pump action shotgun with a conventional stock if anything at all.

Go enjoy the wedding, you'll be fine.

Years ago I worked for a company that provided onsite computer support for their clients that owned our products. My head was always on a swivel. A bit disheartening when you arrived at a customer site and had to be buzzed into the main entrance. One time I had to step over a mastiff to get to the equipment. Owner said and I paraphrase... "don't worry...he won't hurt you."

 

[HoosierQ]

I have a nice little Ruger 77/357 with a 5-round magazine that is my "go anyplace gun". I have had no occasion to go to NY or NJ so I don't know the rules for a simple, bolt action long gun.

 

[Deanimator]

Well, millions and millions of people drive through NY all the time without needing a gun so I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Just be smart and avoid bad areas and you'll be fine. The only thing that would worry me is some sort of crisis event taking place along the way. It would be nice to be armed then.

What's a "bad area" and how would anyone from out of state know where one was in NY before they got there?

 

[toivo]

I have a nice little Ruger 77/357 with a 5-round magazine that is my "go anyplace gun". I have had no occasion to go to NY or NJ so I don't know the rules for a simple, bolt action long gun.

In NY you'd be A-OK. You just can't have it loaded in the vehicle. I don't think that would apply in a parked RV, like at a campground, but I'm not sure.

 

[fireman 9731]

I traveled to Maine from KY last fall. I know your frustrations, the northeast is certainly different than the rest of the country. I decided to go un-armed. I felt naked the whole time but never felt like I really needed a gun. I stayed on the interstates, but those roads are so crazy its easy to end up in the wrong place.

Maine is beautiful place, its a shame you have to drive through so many terrible places to get there.

 

[Deanimator]

I felt naked the whole time but never felt like I really needed a gun.

I'll bet nobody in Pulse thought they needed a gun... until the shooting started, and somebody started yelling something about a snackbar...

 

[Red Wind]

Yeah, I am not ever going to drive from Key Largo to the Northeast without a gun. Done it several dozen times since 1980 and always have a gun.

Sorry, maybe it's just me. But it will be me AND my gun.

 

[Red Wind]

Seriously, just always remember: A gun is like a insurance policy, a fire extinguisher or a seat belt.

You may never need them , but if you do, you are going to need them QUICK.

 

[Old Guy]

Well, Dec 26th 2015 I needed...

A gun is like a insurance policy, a fire extinguisher or a seat belt.

Survived a head on collision, my 2008 Grand Cherokee, was totaled.
I was hurt, so always have those items.

If I drive to Canada, no gun parts, one gun, a Glock, leave it with a buddy in NYS. Pick it up coming back.

Done that trip many times, gun less in Ontario, not happy, but what can you do. Look like an English Gent with my cane, a City Stick. Cool gent.

 

[Flechette]

Seriously, just always remember: A gun is like a insurance policy, a fire extinguisher or a seat belt.

You may never need them , but if you do, you are going to need them QUICK.

And even if a fire extinguisher was outlawed (which our insane politicians would actually advocate) I'd rather have it then watch my house burn down.

 

[SwampWolf]

A friend and I are headed to Canada this Friday for a two weeks fishing trip. Decided not to pay the fifty dollar penalty and the attendant hassle for taking a long gun across the border (forget bringing a handgun for all intents and purposes). Reminded again how much I hate the Left and "we know what's best for you" socialism. But the good fishing and beautiful wilderness is worth it from time to time, I suppose...

 

[jbrown50]

I carry whenever, and wherever I feel the need to. And I have a real need to, sometimes, unlike MANY others.

So I don't understand THEIR thinking....

Need? You hardly ever really need a gun, that is, until you REALLY, REALLY need a gun. Twice in my life the mere presence of my gun stopped an attempted armed assault/robbery. It made the perpetrators briskly head away from me. These were in places that I or most people wouldn't have expected to be bad. I'm also the kind of person who avoids rowdy and high crime places or areas. It was also less than .1% of my travels through any areas in my lifetime, but those two times could have been the difference of whether or not I would be here typing this today.

So you're right. 99.9% of the time you can get through life without needing a gun. The problem is that the less than .1% of the time you might need it could be the difference between life and death.

In the OP's case, he has to weigh the risk of getting caught by the authorities with a gun compared to being caught by the criminals without it.

 

[bikerdoc]

I go to mass from Virginia two time a year.
I do not take a weapon. But I dont stop except for fuel.
Do not stop to eat on the Jersey Pike. 3rd world kind of feeling.
The G W to throggs neck to LI will test your patience

 

[Old Shooter]

I would just make sure you fill the gas tank prior to entering the city to avoid any unnecessary stops while there. Go to your destination and then take your lead from locals as to where to go and what to do, also places or areas to avoid. Stay with your group and don't go wandering around alone to explore a dark alley or interesting side street.

Have a good trip.