Transporting a Handgun

Horney toad

November 15, 2011 07:18

What are the laws about transporting a handgun from state to state on a long trip? Obviously I'll have it unloaded. If I have a pickup truck would I be okay putting it in my suitcase and strapping it in the bed of my truck?

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  rufe-snow

  November 15, 2011 07:25

  Each State and certain cities has their own laws and regulations concerning this. Some will throw your butt in jail just for possessing a handgun, no matter it's condition or where you have it stashed. We will have to know the specific States and cities you intend to travel through.

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  llama

  November 15, 2011 07:25

  The FOPA provides for self transport... IF your item is legal at starting point, and destination, and locked up so you have no access, then in theory the Fed law covers you.

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  nmyers

  November 15, 2011 08:04

  The only safe & legal way you could transport a firearm in a PU is inside a locked steel tool box or lock box that is bolted to the truck.
  
  Neal
  
  "Arrest now, litigate later." ---- ATF motto

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  beantownshootah

  November 15, 2011 11:36

  In GENERAL its legal to transport a gun from point A to point B in the USA so long as its
  
  a. UNLOADED and
  b. In a SEALED container NOT accessible to the passengers.
  
  If you do that, you really shouldn't have a problem. Even if you were pulled over, the police wouldn't have the legal right to search your trunk without probable cause.
  
  But as mentioned there are a lot of jurisdictions with a hodge-podge of laws, and not all of the local police or laws are necessarily in sync with Federal law. Some jurisdictions have specific instructions on what kind of packaging your gun has to be in. Others forbid ammo (eg hollow point ammo is highly restricted in NJ, and ANY ammo is illegal in MA if you don't have the appropriate MA gun ID or LTC).
  
  As a matter of practice, I would not consider a gun in a suitcase loose (or strapped down) in the bed of a pickup to be a safe way to transport a gun. If you're not (legally) carrying it concealed, it should be under lock and key.
  
  So as mentioned, you'd want it at least in a LOCKED box that was physically attached to the truck bed. Alternatively, it *might* be OK inside the cab, again, if it were unloaded, in a locked container, and not readily accessible to any passengers.

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  wpage

  November 16, 2011 07:19

  You may avoid certain states to be safe...
  http://www.handgunlaw.us/

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  dfletcher

  November 16, 2011 07:43

  quote:Originally posted by llama
  The FOPA provides for self transport... IF your item is legal at starting point, and destination, and locked up so you have no access, then in theory the Fed law covers you.
  
  
  This is the part some folks overlook or can cause issues. What is the definition of "locked and no access"? Interesting read on what can go wrong in one of the "bad states" - the bad states is of course where this is needed most.
  
  http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2010/03/fopa_protection.php

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  andrewsw16

  November 16, 2011 08:41

  A bit OT, but this is one area that reciprocity would help. If you had your CCW permit with you, then transport would probably be a moot point. Personally, I don't think the bill will pass and if it does, will be vetoed. But, just for this specific use, reciprocity would help reduce any hassles in transporting (except when driving through Illinois).

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