Moving from AZ to WA

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sumpnz

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I've recently accepted a new job in Yakima, Washington. In a couple months (hopefully by then our house in AZ will have sold) we'll be moving all our crap up there. However, since the moving companies won't take guns (nor would I let them even if they would) and I have one more car than company will pay to transport I'm going to be driving my guns up to WA.

I have relitives near Sacramento that would probably be willing to let me stay the night (they have in the past when I was passing through), but since I'll have 3 handguns, plus several bolt action rifles and a semi-auto (tube fed) .22 I worried that it might be more trouble than its worth to try and stay the night there.

FOPA protections *should* keep me safe if I don't stop beyond bathroom/gas/food breaks, but if I stop for the night my understanding is that those protections go away. Of course I know they'll have to be unloaded and locked and not in the cab of the truck as well.

So, to the best of the knowledge of those who are not my lawyer, can I legally and safely drive though California on my way to WA with the handguns locked up and unloaded in the bed of my truck even if I stop for the night. FWIW I do have an AZ CCW, though as I understand it, NV OR and WA all refuse to honor it.
 
Are you going through CA only to see those relatives? If not, why not come up through UT and ID, who do honor your AZ CCW. Once you get up here, get a WA permit, and you're good to go.

As to the legalities through CA, I'm not sure, but I wouldn't put it past them to give you problems over passing through.
 
I would mail the high capacity magazines to your new address if you drive through california. Everything else would be legal to possess under CA state law.
 
Those relatives are at a somewhat convienient point to stop for the night (when driving from Tucson IIRC it took about 14 hours, from Phx it should be closer to 12). From there it's about 8 hours driving to my parents in Eugene, OR (where I'll drop a lot of stuff to store until we can buy a house in WA), and then it's about 5-6 hours from there to Yakima.
 
I hope you have a very positive experiance living in the Yakima area. It is a nice valley setting and the entire state is within striking distance, as is Oregon. If you are moving from AZ then the summer heat in the Yakima valley will be no problem.

I personally know of only one gunshop in the city, and while small it was a fine one. There must be others in the area, but I am a wet-sider (west of the Cascades) and lack info.

You do like touring wineries, don't you?

Bart Noir
 
You do like touring wineries, don't you?
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I could quite happily bankrupt myself doing so. When there's some time available ask me about my winery tours the last time I went to New Zealand. It's a long story.

MD - Thanks.
 
SUMPNZ, you should have no trouble with the police stopping you in Calif., so long as you OBEY the traffic laws.

If you have your firearms merely in the bed of your truck, and NOT in a locked shell, etc., then you'd better be where you can watch it every second, when you stop for gas, food, restrooms, etc.

FWIW.

L.W.
 
Long Drive

If the relatives are not an obligatory stop, I would also recommend the AZ, UT, ID, OR, WA route. OR can be bypassed. NV can be included or not.

Just the idea of driving longways through CA with any number of guns would give me the willies.

But if relatives is a must, then yes, ship yer bigger mags to yerself at new address (or trusted friend).

You could, of course, have them all shipped to a 'smith or FFL up in WA for cleaning. ('Course, you might find yourself having to do NCIS to get 'em back.)

Good luck with yer move.

I loved AZ. Sux to move. Sometimes ya gotta go with the job.
 
Congrats on the new job!

Sell the sunglasses and buy the Gore-Tex.:D

It's legal to drive through California with unloaded handguns in the trunk, or in a locked container, even on the passenger seat.

"Locked container" can be a gun rug with a lock on the zipper.

We don't have the same restrictions on transporting handguns as some states. You can stop to take a pee or have lunch.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php?PHPSESSID=10a12ca4bd8db1105fa52c96970b1295

Bringing in magazines with more than 10-round capacity, or any gun that qualifies as an "assault weapon", are greater concerns.
 
But if relatives is a must, then yes, ship yer bigger mags to yerself at new address (or trusted friend).
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Well, unless the corporate housing will let me have my cockatiel I have to stop at my parent's place in Eugene. The rellies in CA are not a must, except that I wouldn't have to worry about a hotel telling me I couldn't bring my bird in with me.

Sell the sunglasses and buy the Gore-Tex.
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Bear - You ain't been to Yakima, have you. It's drier than Phoenix. Colder, but still dryer.

It's legal to drive through California with unloaded handguns in the trunk, or in a locked container, even on the passenger seat.
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That's good to know. I assume that means the pistol safe I keep the guns in at home would qualify (it is advertised as "quick access") so long as there's no ammo? No AW's in my safe :( though I do have one 11rd mag for my .40cal. Maybe I'll toss that in a box of clothes (I hardly shoot that gun anymore anyway).
 
QA safe should be okay, as long as it's shut and the gun is unloaded. Small combination locks like you'd use on luggage are okay, too.

Ship the 11-round magazine. 11 rounds is the same as 110, the way the law is written.

It's not worth taking even a slight chance if there's no reason to.

I haven't been to Yakima. What are you going to do out there?
 
Got offered a job at Smiths Aerospace (however, they're in the process of being bought out by GE). They mostly make aircraft landing gear actuators, but they also make a number of other hydraulic aircraft components. They needed an engineer with vibration and fatigue experience, and I fit the bill. Since at my current employer there haven't been any new contracts since I hired in 2.5 years ago, and 3 big ones cancelled, I figured it was a good time to look elsewhere.
 
Well, welcome to the state... when you get here. I too play with airplanes for a living (interiors at the moment).
 
sumpnz, I live in the Tricities area, only an hour and a half from you. I don't know what Yakima has in the way of ranges, but come on out to TriCities Shooting Assc. anytime and air out your long guns on the 1000 yard line. :)

http://www.tcsa.info/picpage.htm

I haven't spent much time in Yakima, the view on the river looks very nice all times of the year I've been through and you're just a short hop from the mountains. I'm envious!

jm
 
armedandsafe and grimjaw - Thanks. Once I'm up there and have had a chance to catch my breath I'll give you a call. I'll PM both of you my cell phone number. I don't expect to change until the contract runs out and I switch companies.
 
Cant give you any help on the move or about Yakima.

But apply for the WA CCW permit as soon as you get into the state, even before the move if possible. WA is shall issue, no test, just fill out the app, which is one page, it so simple you'll laugh at it. There's no resident or non-resident permit


And welcome.
 
"Bear - You ain't been to Yakima, have you. It's drier than Phoenix. Colder, but still dryer."

Indeed, it is dry there. You'll do better than I would, adjusting to the climate in Yakima. Pullman was bad (go Cougs), but Yakima would turn me into jerky. :eek:
There is a fantastic range about 20 minutes outside of Yakima, called the Sun Valley Shooting Park. We visited it last October for the Appleseed clinic being held there, and it's really something else after getting used to the sad little shooting ranges we have up here in the 4th corner (Bellingham area).

Heck, if you're going to be around, you should try attending the next Appleseed event, April 21/22, to be held at Sun Valley.
www.rwva.org for more info. It's a really awesome position-rifle clinic, with a history lesson to boot.
 
Yakima can be a tough town. There's a lot of poor people and some moneyed people who live well, and not a lot in between. Look for a house on the west side- even when I was a kid no one went into the east side of town unarmed after dark.

Having said which, for a guy with a good job and a love of the outdoors it's a great place to live.
 
Unload "completely".

In WA some LEOS think a loaded rifle magazine NOT in a rifle is still illegal.

RCW 77.15.460
Loaded firearm in vehicle — Unlawful use or possession

1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle if:

(a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls a rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle; and

(b) The rifle or shotgun contains shells or cartridges in the magazine or chamber,
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BUT the same law says:

(5) For purposes of this section, a firearm shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the firearm.
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When you get here do the following:

1. Get Dave Workman's book "Washington Gun Rights and Responsibilities". Available at most gun shops in Washington.

http://www.danddgunleather.com/washington_gun_rights.htmGuide to

2. Apply for your CPL as soon as you get here. Makes things easier for transporting handguns and removes the 5 day waiting period for handguns at the very least. The best $60 bucks you can spend. No training required, just ID and fingerprints.

3. Head west on Highway 12 from Yakima for great camping and hiking.
 
Driver Beware

WA State Patrol Will stop and cite you at 5 mph or more over the posted limit :what:
 
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