Guns Legal in All States

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

giggitygiggity

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
2,250
I was wondering if anyone knew what guns are legal in all 50 states. I will be moving to California for a couple years starting this summer. I will be driving through a number of states on my way. I would like to take some guns with me. However, I live in a free state and I know that a lot of my guns would be illegal if I took them into some of the other states along my ways, especially California.

Therefore, I was wondering, what criteria firearms need to meet that would render them legal for all states (barrel lengths, magazine capacities, etc.)? Thanks. I'd like to take a shotgun and a few pistols.
 
Look at any gun shop on the net and they have a list of places they will not sell guns too. Most list guns and some magazines that can't be sold in California, New York etc.
 
The handgun list posted above is only for what dealers can currently sell new/from out of state. http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf
There ya go for assault rifles, also no pistols with features or detachable magazines not contained in the grip. No SBS, SBR, supressor or MG. Some AOW's are ok, but I would not mess with it. High capacities(over 10 rounds) are a no-no, but just break them down and they are no longer considered magazines. I am sure a few other things too, but we have ways of getting around most of the stupidity here if you feel like walking a line.
 
My 'traveling Carbine' is a SUB2000 (9mm Glock 19), and it's my best guess for legal in all states (with 10 round mags).

I am not certain that it makes the cut in CA.
 
You may carry your guns with you as you go through cities and states, regardless of their laws and restrictions provided you adhere to the dictates of the FOPA (Firearms Owners Protection Act). You might want to read up on this federal law which provides you this safe passage.
 
You are only looking at part of the equation. WHile the gun itself may be legal..YOU are not legal to own a gun in all 50 states. In NJ, if you don't have a NJFID card, and you are caught with a firearm of any type (bb guns included), you could find yourself in a world of trouble.
 
Most California laws cover guns that can be sold new, not what can be possessed legally.

As said above, it's perfectly legal to move to California with any revolver and nearly any semi-auto pistol as long as the magazine is contained in the grip (of course, target pistols with forward-located magazines are legal). Swap any regular capacity mags for ten rounders and you will be fine.

When it comes to shotguns, you can't have a semi-auto shotgun with a folding stock and a pistol grip. You also can't have one with a semi-auto shotgun with a detachable magazine. In other words, you should be good for 99% of the shotguns out there.
You are only looking at part of the equation. WHile the gun itself may be legal..YOU are not legal to own a gun in all 50 states. In NJ, if you don't have a NJFID card, and you are caught with a firearm of any type (bb guns included), you could find yourself in a world of trouble.
Click to expand...

This is probably far more of an issue than the individual guns themselves. I think you meant Illinois, though, where you need the card for firearms possession. In NJ you only need the card to purchase the firearm (I'll wait for someone from the state to chime in.)
 
Last edited:
WHile the gun itself may be legal..YOU are not legal to own a gun in all 50 states. In NJ, if you don't have a NJFID card, and you are caught with a firearm of any type (bb guns included), you could find yourself in a world of trouble.
Click to expand...
This is wrong, at least in New Jersey. You only need an FID card to BUY things considered firearms in New Jersey as well as their ammunition. It is not needed to POSSESS firearms or their ammunition, nor do most online retailers even ask for it when buying ammunition as long as they're shipping from out of state.
 
This is wrong, at least in New Jersey. You only need an FID card to BUY things considered firearms in New Jersey as well as their ammunition. It is not needed to POSSESS firearms or their ammunition, nor do most online retailers even ask for it when buying ammunition as long as they're shipping from out of state.
Click to expand...
While this may be how it reads in code 2C, that is far from how police officers deal with people legally possesing guns in NJ. THis comes from first hand experience, and many vicarious experiences through customers while working at a gun shop in NJ. You possess firearms at your peril in New Jersey.
 
CA has a safe gun roster which applies to new guns sold in the state. CA also has guns that are just plain prohibited. You can bring guns with you if they are not prohibited. You are required to register any handguns you bring. This doesn't apply to a visit.

For more CA info, go here http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs
 
You should probably also include ammo in this discussion. In NJ, hollow points are illegal.
 
Good point RalphS

No tracers or HE in California, and depending on if/where you plan on hunting no lead period, even in your sidearm. Also, most of the really fun (fun being all they are good for) shotgun rounds are against the law here (flechettes, dragons breath, etc.)
 
This is not about owning guns it is about transporting them, which is a whole different ball game. Not only is there a question of a gun being legal to own in a given state, there are questions about a gun being in a car, which can often run afoul of hunting laws and the like even for shotguns and rifles.

As for handguns, that is an even bigger question. Sure, we have the FOPA but some states simply ignore it, and police have been instructed to arrest anyone found with a gun in the car, and let the prosecutors deal with any FOPA complaints. So at best, you spend a couple of weeks in prison and have an arrest record; at worst you do serious time.

Needless to say, if you are talking about keeping a gun loaded and/or carrying it on your person, you have an even bigger problem area.

IMHO, unless you have a specific reason for taking your guns, and one that meets the requirements of the FOPA (like competing in the National Matches), leave the guns at home. Exercise good judgement and stay out of the wrong areas and away from trouble, drive responsibly and reasonably, and you should not have any problems.

Jim
 
You should probably also include ammo in this discussion. In NJ, hollow points are illegal.
Click to expand...
This is also untrue, hollowpoints are perfectly legal to sell and own in New Jersey.
 
This is also untrue, hollowpoints are perfectly legal to sell and own in New Jersey.
Click to expand...

ok, legal to own, just not legal to carry and use.

If I can't put them in my gun, what's the point?
 
This is not about owning guns it is about transporting them, which is a whole different ball game. Not only is there a question of a gun being legal to own in a given state, there are questions about a gun being in a car, which can often run afoul of hunting laws and the like even for shotguns and rifles.

As for handguns, that is an even bigger question. Sure, we have the FOPA but some states simply ignore it, and police have been instructed to arrest anyone found with a gun in the car, and let the prosecutors deal with any FOPA complaints. So at best, you spend a couple of weeks in prison and have an arrest record; at worst you do serious time.

Needless to say, if you are talking about keeping a gun loaded and/or carrying it on your person, you have an even bigger problem area.

IMHO, unless you have a specific reason for taking your guns, and one that meets the requirements of the FOPA (like competing in the National Matches), leave the guns at home. Exercise good judgement and stay out of the wrong areas and away from trouble, drive responsibly and reasonably, and you should not have any problems.

Jim
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, this is true and the OP would be well served to confirm which states do this before entering them with firearms in his vehicle.
 
Illinois Court Allows Nonresidents to Transport Guns

Updated: Thursday, 07 Apr 2011, 7:57 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 07 Apr 2011, 7:39 PM CDT

Associated Press

Springfield, Ill. - The Illinois Supreme Court says people permitted to carry guns in other states may transport them here without an Illinois license.

The court ruled unanimously Thursday in the case of an Indiana resident who was arrested in May 2005 with a gun in a closed backseat armrest of his car.

Leonard Holmes was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of weapon because he lacked a Firearm Owners Identification card and didn't have the gun in a case.

Holmes had a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Indiana, and the court held that Illinois law does not require a FOID card too. It also ruled the armrest served as a case.
Click to expand...

Probably wouldn't be a good idea to go through Illinois unless you want to spend 6 years paying lawyer fees.
 
ok, legal to own, just not legal to carry and use.

If I can't put them in my gun, what's the point?
Click to expand...
You can use them too. No, you can't carry one, but who CAN carry in NJ besides cops and government officials?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
How to establish dual state residency - AWB purchase?
Replies
18
Views
5K
dave3006
D
T
  • Locked
Anyone live near the California border?
Replies
2
Views
663
Baba Louie
Baba Louie
Handshaker
  • Locked
Guns in no registration states
2 3
Replies
57
Views
2K
Robert
Robert
Nanook
  • Locked
Buying guns while living out of home state
Replies
10
Views
783
Nanook
Nanook
Ed
  • Locked
Moving to a "ban"state
Replies
11
Views
1K
Phil Ca
P
Back
Top