Moving across the country - what to do with handguns?

[still442]

This summer I will be moving across the country, from Oregon to Florida. I will be driving and living in a travel trailer as I move.

Is it necessary to examine the gun laws for each state I will be driving through?

What questions should I be asking myself as I prepare for the trip?

I don't mind taking most of my guns and packing them away with the items the movers will be handling, but I would like to carry one piece with me for protection. Is this realistic?

 

[AirForceShooter]

nope Federal rules apply
FOPA.
Locked up in the trunk of your car. Ammo seperate.
Welcome to the sandbar.
Where is Fla?

AFS

 

[ProficientRifleman]

easy fix

You can ship the guns, by common carrier to yourself at your new address.

Done deal.

 

[NavyLCDR]

You can ship the guns, by common carrier to yourself at your new address.

WHY? That is a lot of expense. Plus, that only applies to rifles sent via USPS because neither UPS nor FEDEX will accept firearms for shipment to anyone other than an FFL or manufacturer and private parties cannot send handguns via US Mail.

Personally, when I moved half way accross the US from Oklahoma to Washington, I had a U-Haul trailer with about 13 guns locked inside along with about 3,000 rounds of ammo, 2,00 primers and 30+ lbs of gunpowder. I also open carried a 9mm in whatever states I could.

First: FOPA, Firearms Owners Protection Act 18 USC 926A:

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.

Unloaded and locked in the travel trailer would work just as well.

Second:
When the trailer is set up as a temporary abode, it becomes your residence and, in most states, you can have the gun loaded and readily accessible in the trailer. And if the state doesn't allow it....my opinion is who cares? Nobody is going to come knocking on your door asking if you have a loaded gun in your trailer set up in an RV park somewhere. And if they do, the answer is "I refuse to answer that question, no you can't come in here and search without a warrant."

 

[NavyLCDR]

Also, be advised, most movers are supposed to move unloaded firearms by company policy, but many of the local packers and loaders won't know that and will give you a hard time. Also, by most movers company policy, the firearms are supposed to be declared and their make, model and serial numbers recorded on the inventory forms. They will NOT move loaded ammo, primers, gunpowder, or primed brass. You can move all that yourself as well.

Personally, if you've got room, I would just move them all yourself.

 

[Winchester 73]

Personally, if you've got room, I would just move them all yourself.

+1
This is the way to go.Just follow all state laws and use FOPA when needed.
Have a safe trip.
Useful sites:
http://www.handgunlaw.us
http://www.usacarry.com

 

[MICHAEL T]

I moved several pistols cross country. I had then secured unloaded in trunk. I had one with me inside . Police don't stop you at every state boarder to search you Well maybe Ca But no one in right mind travels thru their . I wouldn't let movers know I even had guns Let alone let them pack and move them .

 

[Vincent]

Nobody stops you and searches you going into CA. You may have to stop at the agriculture station as it is illegal to bring some type of fresh produce into CA. I have not seen these stations manned in years. CA in no different and the same laws apply. Lock guns and ammo in seperate compartment and you will never have a problem in CA. I lived there my entire adult life and was a shooter the whole time and I NEVER had a single issue even when I TOLD officers that there were firearms in the car.

 

[Big Mike]

Made the move from Southern Oregon to Florida last June. What to do has been said. Keep the weapons unloaded, unless you have a permit to carry through the states you are traveling through. FWIW, I love FL and have no inclination to return to OR or WA. Welcome, and get your FL CCW permit if you don't already have it. Mike

 

[LAK Supply]

Take them with you?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Keep the weapons unloaded, unless you have a permit to carry through the states you are traveling through

To be safe you can do that. But in states such as Idaho, Wyoming, and Kansas (except for in some cities in Kansas), it is perfectly legal to keep a loaded firearm in the vehicle and to even wear it openly when not in the vehicle.

 

[Treo]

QUOTE: " Is it necessary to examine the gun laws for each state I will be driving through?"

What could knowing the laws possibly hurt? I might even go so far as to print them out as a reference.

QUOTE: " I don't mind taking most of my guns and packing them away with the items the movers will be handling"

Double plus not good. Waaaaaaaay too much oportunity for your guns to get " lost in transit"

I'm not sure if I'd go trailer or trunk while driving , but they'd be in that trailer W/ me every night for sure.

 

[garymc]

I'd try to avoid going through Illinois.