Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Not sure if this is the correct forum section, but here goes.

We are planning on relocating from Massachusets to Washington State and will be driving through several states, not knowing all the rules & regs of those states. What are procedures legally for me to carry in my vehicle a handgun for my protection? I do have a Conceal Carry permit in the State of Washington, and a handgun permit for Target & Hunting in Massachusetts. Has anyone any information how I should proceed?

Thanks,

ArtN

P.S. States I will be going through are:
New York
Ohio
Illinois
Wisconsin
North Dakota
Montana
Idaho
to Washington

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Howdy Art, and welcome to TFF. That's quite a move you're making!

I'm in Illinois. If you don't have an Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) card, you can't carry a loaded weapon thru the state.

Direct from the IL State Police website:
Non- residents must be legally eligible to possess or acquire firearms and ammunition in their state of residence. It is recommended that, in order to be in compliance with all statutes, non-residents transport all firearms:

1. Unloaded, and
2. Enclosed in a case, and
3. Not immediately accessible or broken down in a nonfunctioning state.

If you google any state name plus "gun laws", you can find all the info you need on the various states.

Just remember - "Your honor, my weapon was unloaded, encased, and not immediately accessible. I barely had to time to dig it out, load it, and use it when that gang was attacking my wife at the rest stop."

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

A little prior planning goes along way. Try not to put yourself in that position to where you will need it. In Florida we all carry down here. I think just about every vehicle I have ever stopped had a gun in it. I was a deputy for 12 years so I saw alot. Don't advertise you have weapons and you should be good. How else are you going to get them to your new home? You are moving right?

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

I'd avoid NY if at all possible. You're not even allowed to possess a handgun there unless you have their CC permit, which isn't the easiest to get.

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Your honor....!!!! Thats a good one...!!! LOL

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Federal law covers this.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USRVCarCarry.pdf
Pops

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Good info, Pops, muchas gracias --

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

http://www.handgunlaw.us/ Check this out.

RC

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Your going one state too far...
Glen

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Just get in your car, and go on! Keep your nose clean, and nobody knows!

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Thank you redwing carson, excellent information answers my question very
nicely........sounds like I need to store handgun in case locked with all ammo in another area and locked, YUCK!

P. S. Thanks to all other posters for your information as well......ArtN

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Is locked in a glove box or center console considered "encased"?

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Congrats to ArtN for leaving one of the most liberal places in the USA.

I'm glad to see that everybody beat me to posting the handguns. com site.
Art have you considered shipping your arms? That might be a safe alternative, safer than dealing with some police along the way. Good luck

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

No, from the federal law posted above.

Pops

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

I have been driving through other states for the last 30 years for hunting purposes. I have never had a problem. I did get a speeding ticket one time though.

Re: Traveling across country with Firearm??
 

Like you 308, I have driven thru most of the states in the lower 48. Once I called all the States I intended to drive thru just to be sure I would be legal. Turned out that only one State required the pistol to be unloaded, and locked in the trunk. The bottom line was that almost all of the State Police units that I contacted told me to just carry on, and keep the pistol out of sight. I have carried in every State on the left coast, and in every State on the east coast form FL up to, and including D.C. I have carried in most of the National Parks, and in so many State Parks that I can't remember them all!