Transporting guns across state lines

[frankcostanza]

I'm about to head out on a hunting trip to Iowa and South Dakota and am wondering about the best (legal) way to transport my guns through several states. Here's a quick rundown: I have a truck with no topper, so everything will have to be in the cab behind the seat. I dont have my concealed carry permit, so all the ammo and magazines (unloaded) are in a padlocked dry storage box, and all the guns im bringing are cased and have either a trigger lock or cable lock. I'll be driving through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and South Dakota. I feel like I've covered myself pretty well in case I get stopped, but I have no idea about what the gun laws are like in these states as far as transporting. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Thernlund]

What I'd do is not concern myself with the states in between. Only the one I'm in and the one I'm going to. Federal laws say you can transport through any state provided you take certain precautions, which you have already done.

Some reading...

http://chris.cc/firearmstransport.htm


-T.

 

[ilbob]

You are probably OK, even in Illinois. Even so, stay away from East St Louis and the Chicago area in Illinois. Unpleasant and not gun friendly, and we have no pre-emption, so there is no practical way of knowing what wacky gun laws a particular locality might have.

I would also be inclined to cover them up with a blanket or something so it is not real obvious what you have there. Maybe set a suitcase on top of them as well.

Watch the construction zone fines. Its like $500 now, and they are using cameras to increase revenue so Rod can spend it on his pals. The other day I saw four ISP cars that all had people pulled over in a construction zone on I90 just before it enters WI. No construction going on, no workers present, but I guess that does not matter much in the eternal quest for additional revenue.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I may be mistaken, but I believe that CCW permits in most states only cover handguns. Guys correct me if I'm wrong. I know that's true in Alabama.

 

[Mannlicher]

Since Federal law permits carrying your rifles across state lines for legal purposes, like hunting, I would load up, and take off.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I dont have my concealed carry permit, so all the ammo and magazines (unloaded) are in a padlocked dry storage box, and all the guns im bringing are cased and have either a trigger lock or cable lock. I'll be driving through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and South Dakota. I feel like I've covered myself pretty well in case I get stopped, but I have no idea about what the gun laws are like in these states as far as transporting. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Unfortunately, you will not have covered yourself at all. You don't have to worry about state laws because the trip is interstate, and therefore covered by the federal Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA). However, the FOPA has very specific requirements for how the firearms may be transported, and what you describe (while some LEOs might agree is a functional equivalent) does not conform to the requirement.

Code of Federal Regulations
Title 18 > Part I > Chapter 44 > § 926a
§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Release date: 2005-08-03

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.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000926---A000-.html

A trigger or cable lock is not mentioned in the law. Technically, if you wish to comply you need a rifle case that you can lock with either a built-in lock or a small padlock.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Unloaded and cased in IL is good. Stay on the interstates. Contrary to logic, it IS PERFECTLY OK to drive through Chicago with cased and un-loaded firearm stowed in the trunk or behind the seat (it is THEIR law). But that doesn't really matter--if you stay on the main highways you will be fine. In IL, the hard ball interstates are under the control of the ISP.

 

[B. Adams]

Of the states you mention, Illinois is probably the worst, and Iowa is second. The most restrictive laws in those states are for handguns, so if you're not bringing any you won't have to worry much. And don't even try to go through Chicago. Ever.

In Iowa, long guns must be completely unloaded and enclosed in a fastened and secured case, or not accessible from the passenger compartment. Handguns must be unloaded and in a case "too large to be concealed on your person," or inaccessible.

Make sure they're locked in cases and completely unloaded and you'll be fine pretty much anywhere you go.

Once you get to South Dakota you won't have to worry about it anymore. A loaded handgun is allowed in your vehicle as long as it's visible, with no permit, or concealed if you have a permit, of course. A CCW permit from any state is valid here, just don't take in in a bar, courthouse, school, or federal building. There's no law against having loaded long guns in a vehicle.

There is some weird stuff when hunting public land, and some other weird stuff about road hunting, and some other wierd crap about game refuges, but that's all covered in the hunting handbook. South Dakota gun laws are some of the least restrictive in the country.

What and where will you be hunting in South Dakota? There's some great areas in this state.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

And don't even try to go through Chicago. Ever.

Why not? Local Chicago law expressly permits non-residents to travel through the city with their weapons subject only to the conditions that 1) they be cased and unloaded (trunked a good idea) 2) lawful to own where the citizen resides. O'hare airport is in the city and it is perfectly lawful to fly from there with a properly cased weapon.

I hate Chicago as much as the next guy--and I wouldn't go out of my way to drive through there for fun--but why worry? The Illinois State Police patrol all of the main arteries (I-90, 94, 88, 355, 55,etc) even in the city proper; you won't get pulled over by CPD and if you did--they are (for the most part) law abiding and pro-RBKA unless you tick them off.