Traveling and (g)unfriendly places in the US

[Kobun]

What are you supposed to do with your firearms when you travel in the US and plan or have to go to some of the (g)unfriendly places like; New York, Chicago, California and Washington D.C.

What do you do with the guns when you don't have anyone to leave them with?
Can't exactly leave them in a ditch some where along the road...

 

[Bergeron]

You might consider renting a long-term indoor storage space while you are gone. That seems like it would be the most secure way to store your arms while you are away.

 

[Kobun]

Bergeron,
I'm talking about bringing guns with me when I travel to shoot competitions around in the US.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've been using bank boxes for years—and no, I've never asked whether bankers care to have their premises used for storing expensive hand guns. I figure if I'm paying for the space, I'll use it as I please.

 

[Bergeron]

Oh, sorry 'bout that, your problem is much more vexing then...

 

[Marko Kloos]

You can legally ship a handgun to yourself at a c/o address. A post office box or American Express travel office would do, as long as you know where you're going to be.

 

[synoptic]

check federal firearms laws, under transporting a firearm. You can legally do it either in your trunk or in a lockbox, and following other conditions. This is assuming the guns are for competition and not for protection

 

[TaxPhd]

Actually, Synoptic, competition or defense is a non-issue. FOPA says if legal at point of origin and point of destination, legal ANYWHERE in between.

 

[Edward429451]

FOPA says if legal at point of origin and point of destination, legal ANYWHERE in between.

Say What?! You mean all this time I've been 'home of the brave'n it' around the country and I've been legal??! Wonders never cease. I knew deep down inside that I was legal, but didn't think I was legal by their books.

 

[labgrade]

Depends on what you mean, ed.

"Legal - in between" ( in the unfriendly states) means unloaded, usually locked up & ammo stored separate & usually too in a trunck - well away from occupants, FAIK.

 

[synoptic]

What is FOPA? Sorry for my ignorance, I am still learning what all these acronyms and such are... I'd like to see the reference you got that from TaxPhd, not that I don't believe you, but I have looked this up before and couldn't find anything on this subject in federal law, so I am just interested to see what else the source has to say. I don't leave the state too often (Texas is HUGE and I'm a poor college student) but it would be nice to know that if I did I could carry so long as I was traveling.

 

[labgrade]

Firearms Owners Protection Act, synoptic.

Try a decent search engine & you'll get lots of hits.

A quicky turned up this from Gunsite ... decent enough reading & ought to get you started.

 

[synoptic]

Thanks, I prolly would have gotten around to doing a search, but I am being lazy at the moment

 

[labgrade]

Welcome.

Insomnia allows one to be community-oriented.

 

[Litlman]

How do the Pro's do it ? They are always all over the country for competitions.

 

[TaxPhd]

Sorry, should have provided more info. Thanks, Labgrade, for filling in some of the holes.

FOPA allows transportation, but not concealed carry. Huge difference!

Litlman, they do it as described. Unloaded, in trunk or other inaccesible place.

 

[Ian]

Also: FOPA will not prevent you from being arrested. It will hopefully save you froma conviction, but the cops can (and will) still arrest you for violating state or local law.

I know a guy who was arrested in Chicago just last weekend for having a Mauser on his back seat and a pistol locked in his trunk. He was travelling through, from Minnesota down to Indiana. His actions were fully legal in IN and MN, so the FOPA should cover him - but got arrested anyway, and will have to prove his case in Chicago courts. In other words, be CAREFUL! Being legal isn't always enough to keep you out of trouble.

 

[TaxPhd]

The mauser on the back seat would seem to negate any FOPA protection, given that a trunk was available.

 

[Edward429451]

So legals legal but tyranny abounds. Officer (in-) discretion, whoops, the township line was two blocks ago. Tell you what, we'll go ahead and arrest you and impound your guns and you can appeal with johnnie cochran later. What a can of worms.

And to think that they say that 'we the people' have rights.:banghead:

 

[Woodchuck]

Put the weapon in your trunk, unloaded (in a box or bag or suitcase). Put the mag.(unloaded) ina seperate container in the trunk. Just think of how many times you have had your trunk searched without a search warrant. Never . And it will never happen unless you are arrested for something to give the police a reason.

 

[labgrade]

"And it will never happen unless you are arrested for something to give the police a reason."

Woodchuck makes a great point.

Never give a reason to be pulled over in the first place (& this from someone who regularly sppeds 20 over when doing the interstate bit - I have a "Stealth button" it seems).

Too, check packing.org for those states that have the "friendly travel" (somesuch phrasing) clause that allows a bit more lattitude whilst plyiong your trade. PIck a route.

 

[dav]

Woodchuck wrote:
Just think of how many times you have had your trunk searched without a search warrant. Never . And it will never happen unless you are arrested for something to give the police a reason.

Gotta be a little careful with those all inclusive generalizations. It has happened to me. Several times. Mexico border coming in to California does it randomly. Canadian border did it, both directions. And after 9/11 the Las Vegas casinos would not let you into their parking structures until after they searched your trunk.
Of course, the casinos were security, not police, but the border checks are done by uniformed officers, with no warrant. Not even reasonable cause.