Traveling with guns

[Warners]

I know I can probably look this up somewhere, but with the vast amount of experience of the members of this site, I figured someone would be able to at least point me in the right direction.

A friend of mine from work, his dad, and my 15 year old son are planning a trip to Texas this July to go hog hunting for the first time. We will be driving from the Chicago area, with all of our guns in the vehicle.

What laws do I need to be aware of traveling through all of the states between Illinois and Texas? This would include Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. At times we'll be awful close to Tennessee and Louisianna, too, so it might be good to know the laws in those states to.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Warner

 

[Warners]

Update

I just did some checking around...and it looks like if I get out of my OWN stupid state, I'll be fine! Haha! My only question is....we are renting a van to drive down, so obviously the guns will be in the van, somewhat accessible to the occupants of the van. Do the gun cases NEED to be locked? Is it sufficient to just have the ammo locked? Do EITHER need to be locked, or just cased?


Thanks in advance,

Warner

 

[NavyLCDR]

The guns must be unloaded, and the guns and the ammo must be in locked containers.

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

§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms

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.

If you are stopped for some reason, never, ever consent to a search of the locked container(s), no matter what the officer threatens you with.

 

[henschman]

That FOPA law that is posted above is basically a guaranteed legal way of transporting guns interstate. It is not a REQUIREMENT that they be stored that way. It is a good idea if you are travelling interstate, through states whose laws you are not sure on, and you want to be sure to stay within the letter of the law.

But I do know that once you're in Texas, you can legally have a concealed loaded gun inside your car or when you are directly en route to it, even without a concealed carry license or anything.

 

[Warners]

Thanks for the replies, guys....

Warner

 

[brickeyee]

That FOPA law that is posted above is basically a guaranteed legal way of transporting guns interstate. It is not a REQUIREMENT that they be stored that way.

If you wish to travel under the protection of FOPA is sure as hell is a REQUIREMENT to obey its terms.

 

[Sam1911]

That FOPA law that is posted above is basically a guaranteed legal way of transporting guns interstate. It is not a REQUIREMENT that they be stored that way.

If you wish to travel under the protection of FOPA is sure as hell is a REQUIREMENT to obey its terms.

Not sure what the vehemence is for here.

If you are in a state with STRICTER laws than those of the states you're traveling from and to, then you must store the gun(s) in accordance with FOPA's rules while within those borders.

But, there are plenty of states with LESS STRICT laws on firearm possession and/or carry than what FOPA says, and you may follow those state laws instead while you're in that state.

Hope that is now clear.