Need advice on interstate transport of rifles - The Firearms Forum

bobcam1 · 10-18-2008, 10:54 PM

Hello, all.....
I have a group of rifles (about 20) that date from the mid 1800's through the early 1900's. They haven't been fired in at least 80 years, and I'm unsure if they're even operable.
I would like to drive them from New Jersey to Florida and I'm wondering about the legalities of doing so. I do not have a C&R or FFL license, and I'm hoping that some of you can advise me on whether or not I can take them along with me on the trip.
I will be driving from New Jersey and passing through Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, before arriving in Florida.

If transporting them by car is not advisable, I'd appreciate suggestions on other methods.

This trip will be in about 4 weeks, so I'd be grateful if I knew what to do, before then.

Thanks,
Bob.

gdmoody · 10-20-2008, 12:16 PM

Bobcam - I don't know if you got an answer elsewhere for your guestion or not. I can tell you this, several years ago (while still in the Army) I was transferred to Rhode Island and I transported most of my weapons with me to there from Florida.

The rest I left with my father in Florida. In the five years that I was stationed in RI, I made a few trips home (Chirstmas and summer) and on each trip I took a weapon or two with me, all without any problems.

Five years later when I was transferred to Georgia, I again transported them, by car, to Georgia with me. I do not know the laws in each of the states that I came through and truthfully did not care about them. I was, and still am, a law abiding citizen who was transporting legally owned private property.

GoodOl'12gauge · 10-20-2008, 12:20 PM

As long as there in cases and unloaded they shouldnt bother you. Thats how i transport all my firearms.

bobcam1 · 10-20-2008, 12:40 PM

gdmoody, GoodOl'12gauge,

Thanks so very much for the help. I'm grateful to both of you for it.

Cheers,
Bob.

user · 10-20-2008, 04:54 PM

You can also lock them - pull out the bolts or whatever, and run a cable tie through the action in each one, so they'll be inoperable during the trip. They have to be stored out of reach, otherwise they're "in your possession". A locked trunk is the same as a case, though you ought to wrap them in blankets or something to protect them if you do that.

Terry_P · 10-22-2008, 08:43 AM

And drive a reasonable speed and you shouldn't have problems with them in your trunk. If you leave your vehicle lock it so it won't get stolen.

GMFWoodchuck · 10-26-2008, 09:29 AM

Also, make sure everything is legal on your car. The lights, registration, insurance and all that. And drive with a low profile. Do the speed limit. Get sleep. Basically just in case there is a question of legality make yourself unnoticeable to the local cops. Don't give them a reason to pull you over.

sg5054 · 11-23-2008, 08:12 PM

Stay out of Massachusetts.

transplanted texan · 12-07-2008, 06:50 PM

I know I'm to late but maby for future use might need this form A.T.F F 5320.20

10-18-2008, 10:54 PM	#1
bobcam1 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 5	Need advice on interstate transport of rifles Hello, all..... I have a group of rifles (about 20) that date from the mid 1800's through the early 1900's. They haven't been fired in at least 80 years, and I'm unsure if they're even operable. I would like to drive them from New Jersey to Florida and I'm wondering about the legalities of doing so. I do not have a C&R or FFL license, and I'm hoping that some of you can advise me on whether or not I can take them along with me on the trip. I will be driving from New Jersey and passing through Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, before arriving in Florida. If transporting them by car is not advisable, I'd appreciate suggestions on other methods. This trip will be in about 4 weeks, so I'd be grateful if I knew what to do, before then. Thanks, Bob. --> Last edited by bobcam1; 10-18-2008 at 10:58 PM..

10-20-2008, 12:16 PM	#2
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,345	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles Bobcam - I don't know if you got an answer elsewhere for your guestion or not. I can tell you this, several years ago (while still in the Army) I was transferred to Rhode Island and I transported most of my weapons with me to there from Florida. The rest I left with my father in Florida. In the five years that I was stationed in RI, I made a few trips home (Chirstmas and summer) and on each trip I took a weapon or two with me, all without any problems. Five years later when I was transferred to Georgia, I again transported them, by car, to Georgia with me. I do not know the laws in each of the states that I came through and truthfully did not care about them. I was, and still am, a law abiding citizen who was transporting legally owned private property. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant) Last edited by gdmoody; 10-20-2008 at 12:17 PM..

10-20-2008, 12:20 PM	#3
GoodOl'12gauge V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 258	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles As long as there in cases and unloaded they shouldnt bother you. Thats how i transport all my firearms.

10-20-2008, 12:40 PM	#4
bobcam1 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 5	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles gdmoody, GoodOl'12gauge, Thanks so very much for the help. I'm grateful to both of you for it. Cheers, Bob.

10-20-2008, 04:54 PM	#5
user Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern piedmont of Va. and Middle of Nowhere, West Virginia Posts: 1,013	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles You can also lock them - pull out the bolts or whatever, and run a cable tie through the action in each one, so they'll be inoperable during the trip. They have to be stored out of reach, otherwise they're "in your possession". A locked trunk is the same as a case, though you ought to wrap them in blankets or something to protect them if you do that. __________________ ===== Daniel L. Hawes - 540 347 2430 - HTTP://www.VirginiaLegalDefense.com By the way, nothing I say on this website as "user" should be taken as either advertising for attorney services or legal advice. Everyone having a question regarding the application of law to the facts of their situation should seek the advice of an attorney competent in the subject matter of the issues presented and licensed to practice in the relevant state.

10-22-2008, 08:43 AM	#6
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles And drive a reasonable speed and you shouldn't have problems with them in your trunk. If you leave your vehicle lock it so it won't get stolen. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

10-26-2008, 09:29 AM	#7
GMFWoodchuck Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,369	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles Also, make sure everything is legal on your car. The lights, registration, insurance and all that. And drive with a low profile. Do the speed limit. Get sleep. Basically just in case there is a question of legality make yourself unnoticeable to the local cops. Don't give them a reason to pull you over.

11-23-2008, 08:12 PM	#8
sg5054 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 7	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles Stay out of Massachusetts.

12-07-2008, 06:50 PM	#9
transplanted texan Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4	Re: Need advice on interstate transport of rifles I know I'm to late but maby for future use might need this form A.T.F F 5320.20