Traveling to NH and ME

[thewillweeks]

So I'm planning a trip to the NE part of these United States, to be in NH and ME, which both honor my Kansas resident CCH. Now obviously, there's a bunch of states between here and there that don't.

Illinois is the first I come to, but I might be able to dodge it, go south first. But once I get up there I'm stuck going through some of those states, unless I fly. So, if I have to travel through some of those crazy NE states like NY and NJ, to get to NH and ME, what states are the best options? Do any of them allow car carry without a permit? Open carry in a car without a permit?

Or am I just better off to fly?

 

[627PCFan]

Fly. Thats what I do

If you drive make sure everything is FOPA compliant and traveling through those states are fine but make sure you plan ahead. I don't stop for food or gas.

Md, NJ, NY, CN, just truck on through.

 

[Red Wind]

Illinois will be no problem and you certainly can avoid New Jersey with no trouble.( I'm from NJ, and when going to Vermont and New Hampshire, bypass it unless visiting relatives.)

New York cannot be avoided and you will have to use FOPA 1986 to reach your goal.

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.

 

[LemmyCaution]

New York cannot be avoided and you will have to use FOPA 1986 to reach your goal.

Also, keep in mind that it is entirely illegal to possess, let alone carry, a handgun in New York State without a NYS pistol permit. FOPA is your only recourse. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution, not a defense against arrest.

Be very careful to comply to the letter of FOPA. But be even more careful not to get stopped by the police. Make sure your vehicle is entirely up to snuff, including all vehicle lighting. Make sure you do not stand out. And drive conservatively, particularly on the stretch of I-87 between Albany and Queensbury, and RT149 from Queensbury to the VT border. The NYSP is very aggressive in that area.

Once you are in VT, relax.

 

[ljnowell]

As said above, IL is a breeze. Since you have a permit in your home state you can conceal a loaded handgun in your vehicle, but don't exit your vehicle with a loaded gun.

NYS is a whole different critter.

 

[thewillweeks]

NY just scares me haha. I may end up flying to dodge it. Thanks everyone for the answers, especially the really specific stuff LemmyCaution.

 

[highlander 5]

If you have a set destination send your guns to yourself care of your arrival point. If you're driving avoid Ma as well. Even an empty cartridge case can get you jammed up.

 

[Red Wind]

Lemmy was a big help. You have to make the final decision Will, however since 1995 I have traveled from South Florida to Vermont,New Hampshire and Maine on 11 occasions by car.

Obviously I had to go through New York (and armed) each time. I've never had a problem. Following Lemmy's route and his cautious advice, the odds are great that you will be fine.

Kansas to Maine and back would be one of the great road trips of a lifetime. You see nothing by plane.

Go for it! You will have a fantastic trip and great memories.

 

[steveracer]

If you comply with the federal peaceable journey law you are good to go. I have done several cross-country road trips with handguns, and have had no issues, including MASS, NY, NJ, MD, CA. If you are legal to possess at the point of origin and your destination, and you make no unnecessary stops, and the firearms are unloaded and locked up, you are good to go. This will not prevent you from being arrested, as mentioned above, but it will provide you a defense against prosecution. Your behavior and driving is the thing to prevent your arrest.

 

[AnselHazen]

Kansas to Maine and back would be one of the great road trips of a lifetime. You see nothing by plane.

Go for it! You will have a fantastic trip and great memories.

Years ago I drove to Kansas. Spent a year there loading soybeans in railcars while the girlfriend at the time went to college. I was out there when Jimmy Carter screwed up the hostage rescue in Iran. For sure one of the more memorable days of my life walking in to work in the morning to learn of that. If I had been the President walking through the door they would have lynched him on the spot.

Red Wind is right, the road trip is worth it.

TheWillWeeks, if you're out here for one of the combat shoots at the gun club I belong to consider yourself invited as my guest. That will give you complete FOPA protection.

http://www.knoxcountybeaverlodge.org/range.html#schedule