Posted on 08/17/2012 7:29:14 PM PDT by America_Right
Question for fellow gun nuts:
I have a lot of guns at my dad's place in Ohio. Rifles (.22, 30/30), shotguns(410, 12ga, 20ga), and pistols (.38, .44). No assault weapons. Here's the thing. I want to drive them back to Idaho at some point, but I just heard a news story about a guy that is being charged with "Transportation of Firearms Across State Lines". If I get pulled over, am I going to prison? I know, this sounds like a stupid question, but I would hate to go to prison for driving legal firearms across the country.
Obey the speed limits in Illinois.
Do not, under any circumstances whatsoever, drive through Chicago or neighboring cities no matter what anyone else on this thread tells you.
To answer your question, I think it’s legal to do what you want to do, if the guns are locked and inaccessible during the drive, and they are legal at both the origin and the destination. (That is, irrespective of laws of the intervening places. But see above.)
Unloaded, in trunk. Look up various state rules.
Basically if you drive point to point, short rest stops for food/fuel, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting arrested. Personally I’d have a handgun loaded for defense and the guns being transported unloaded and if able in a locked case or storage container, just so nobody else can easily get them.
You’re safe in Indiana.
Heck...we’ll even buy you a coffee.
http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/federal/read.aspx?id=60
Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in the trunk. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
do your own verification. This was from a quick check i did on a link i had.
If you are legal to own from your starting point and at your destination, you should be good to go. Just don’t detour to Jersey, Mass., New York City, California, Hawaii, Chicago, you get the point. And make sure they are unloaded and secured out of reach. NRA has a paperback about traveling with guns. Good luck.
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! And thanks to everyone else for your replies.
Send them to yourself fed ex
Make sure they are unloaded
Better than dealing with officer Obey
I think you’re ok if you a) keep ‘em unloaded and locked in the trunk — don’t even carry any ammo, and b) don’t speed, drink, do bong hits on the interstate, etc. Scrape the Romney sticker off your car too.
Except that when you pass through Chicago — and you should plan to pass through Chicago, if at all possible — I’d have your significant other drive around downtown, while you hang out of the sun roof with the twelve-gauge shotgun in plain view, screaming “Hey Rahm! Want some of THIS???”
I’m not sure that’s legal. (Yes, here in the Free Country, with an explicit right to keep and bear arms.)
Dunno, but even that doesn't sound like it should be illegal. I don't remember what the story was, exactly, but there was a laundry list of charges, and that was the one that stuck out at me. I didn't understand how someone could be charged with that.
Especially don’t take a detour to Hawaii. They really hate people who have cars full of guns, driving from Ohio to Idaho, who swing through Hawaii on the way.
Quite the opposite,one of the most important questions ever asked on this forum.
Believe it or not, Hawaii has an interstate highway.
LOL!
I would take along proof of ownership (eg, copies of sales receipts) just in case you need them. Particularly if it is more than just a couple of guns.
***Obey the speed limits in Illinois.***
Even better, GO AROUND Illinois.
How did your guns come to be at your dad’s place in Ohio? Under federal law, you generally cannot buy guns in a state where you don’t reside, unless they are transfered thru a dealer where you live.
I’m in CA, dad’s next door in NV. He can’t sell or give me guns unless he/me consumate the deal thru a dealer setup.
If you lived in OH, legally bought guns, then later moved to ID, you could go back and get your guns and drive them home.
Swing to the South to avoid the communist states, go west from there, then go north someplace in the West.
Bought them when I was living there. When I originally moved, I didn’t have room for all my stuff, and guns weren’t at the top of the list of stuff I needed to bring with me, so I left them with him.
You should be good to go.
I'm afraid only legal activity is illegal in Chicago. All illegal activity is perfectly legal. This means that if you do what you described you will be only seen as a typical local gangbanger, a daily occurrence.
Research FOPA. Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. Print the text of the law off and carry it with you. Abide by the text of the law to the letter.
If you are stopped and a cop tries to arrest you or take your guns, make sure you say loud and clear that he is in violation of FOPA 1986 and you are complying with that law. He can be charged for false arrest and violating FOPA. Make sure that his dash cam gets the comment too...
I would however, avoid Illinois all together.
I think I'd take I-80 straight across, and avoid Chicago as much as possible. Use the cruise control; watch the speed limit. Once you clear Illinois -- heck, once you get west of Joliet -- I think you'll be okay. Try to stay awake crossing Nebraska, and whatever you do, don't eat at a Runza.
In Wyoming I think you can be arrested for not having a gun in the car, so once you get that far, you should be okay the rest of the way home.
Send them to me by Fed Ex. I’ll make sure they get to you.
It’s a pain, but I’d recommend staying clear of Illinois, not just Chicago. Even though the people are much, much, better in the south of the state, they still have the laws that Chicago essentially sets. All of the other states are very friendly, so why risk it - just add a day to the trip?
Just to add a bit more, assuming that your car has Idaho plate, you’re practically announcing to the world that “MY CAR HAS AN ARMORY IN IT”, at least to any liberal. You’ll really stick out in Illinois and could get pulled over for having a license plate bulb out, or doing (a fictitious) illegal lane change. Once they see you’re nervous, they’ll drop something in the vehicle, or claim to see something, and that’ll get the dogs, that will smell the powder residue.
You should be ok. The advice here seems reasonable. But here’s one thing not mentioned: take the gun rack out of the back window. Nothing good will come of that.
And, FYI, in Mass you will be ok if the guns are transported in a locked container ( the trunk, a bag, or case.). Don’t store your hand gun in a glove box. That will get you shot by a nervous trooper. But, since driving from Ohio to Idaho the chances of coming through Mass are pretty slim. And if you do so...you might not be bright enough to own a gun. ( just kidding...by asking the question, you proved you had smarts.)
I mean, where else would you see people turn into sniveling crybabies at the mere mention of Illinois?
Hey, we pull over our tourists all the time. And they still keep coming back. /s
>>Obey the speed limits in Illinois.
Let me second that. I have relatives in southern Illinois and they told me the same thing in a way I have never heard from anyone from any other state. The cops there are pretty brutal.
The most redeeming thing about Illinois is that it is a long way from where I live. The big problem with Il is that Joliet and Chicago put such a horrible stench on the rest of the state.
You’ve received appropriate advice and references on your basic question so now I’m going to help you improve your vocabulary: Eliminate the words/phrase “assault weapon” from your vocabulary. You only play into the hands of the libs by even accepting that as a legitimate concept.
Lesson over - have a nice drive back to Idaho.
Once you hit Montana you're pretty much good. There actually is a speed limit there now - didn't used to be, which is why I ended up hitting I90 at...uh...55 mph, Your Honor. I swear. Take care at Fourth of July Pass (if you're going that way) and stay safe when you hit the Promised Land. :-)
Worked for me driving tractor-trailer. Might consider some of the Kansas roads if I was hoping to avoid scales, though. But then that State has roving truck inspectors who will pull a truck over on the side of the road and use portable scales, and a mechanic's creeper to roll under the rig and give it a level One inspection.
Other States use weigh Stations and Inspection barns, if they inspect much at all. Colorado wants to see one's fuel tax agreement (IFTA), or pay a fee to cross the State. Wants the first six numbers of the VIN on the side where they can read it too, or they'll wave you over to come inside and show them paperwork...and maybe get inspected.
New Mexico is similar, except they want the New Mexico specific agreement. First they ask for the IFTA, then when you show them that, they get real rude saying they "don't care about that" then ask for the New Mexico paper. F 'em. I hate that State.
Unless he’s taking a very long way home he will not be going through Kansas, and nowhere near Denver for sure. 80 goes through Nebraska, and 90 is even faster and a lot prettier once you get to Wisconsin.
Very good advice.
My suggestion: find an FFL gun dealer at both ends of the trip. Have to one in OH ship them to the one in Idaho. They’ll add a nominal charge.
“Research FOPA. Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. Print the text of the law off and carry it with you. Abide by the text of the law to the letter.
If you are stopped and a cop tries to arrest you or take your guns, make sure you say loud and clear that he is in violation of FOPA 1986 and you are complying with that law. He can be charged for false arrest and violating FOPA. Make sure that his dash cam gets the comment too...”
What are you smoking and why didn’t you bring enough for everyone..... While the OP is entirely legal in transporting his firearms from point A to point B while
following the rule of law that means nothing when he has
been pulled over by a badgemonkey who neither knows nor cares about the law.
To the OP....if you are risk averse have the weapons shipped via FedEx to a dealer. It will cost you a little
but compared to the cost and grief you will face if you
get pulled over by a JBT with an attitude ( and that is most of them these days) it will be a small price to pay to insure you property remains your property and your heinie
remainds virginal.
If you’re not driving a truck, stay on I-70 over the Front Range until you get about 100 miles past Grand Junction and follow US-191 to I-15. Depending on where you’re going in Idaho, either stay on I-15 or fork off via I-84. Way prettier than Kansas, Eastern Colorado, and Eastern Wyoming, but a bit hairy for trailers at some points.
Yep, it does pretty much depend on where in Idaho he’s going to end up. Mine was a south-to-north route; his may well be a north-to-south. I nearly ended up routing through New Mexico on that run. It’s a really, really big country.
That is a fun way. Probably not good for Ohio-Utah, unless far Southern Utah is the destination.
Spend your money on some good cases and locks, avoid Illinois and Denver, and keep a low profile.
If one is not familiar with the route, going Westbound, one can end up getting off of I-80, and onto the Skyway. Toll roads to deal with there, too. No big deal for the junk in the trunk as long as nothing accidental happens, but still a consideration. Heavy traffic around Chicago. Main travel hours are murder. Can stretch until late in the evening, too.
There are other ways across from Central Ohio that can miss Chicago. Get a good, large book type Atlas. In truck stops the paperback binding kind can usually be had for less than ten dollars. I always used the ring binder type. More expensive, but I was driving without any electronic nav aids. All old fashioned maps.
Oh, wait. Some backroad areas in Ohio, also watch for Amish buggys going real slow. Those small towns can be loaded with traffic cops too. Be smart, and not in a big rush.
Some cell phones can give one maps and direction, but there isn't quite anything like having a map one can hold in their hands, even if also using the electronic stuff of any type (smart phone, or gps).
For long range driving, we would always figure 50 mph average. One can beat that with an automobile, particularly in States which may have varying speed limits for trucks and passenger cars. Yet to maintain that average over available working hours, one would still need to keep their butt in the seat, and their hands upon the wheel.
You'll be on I-80 most of the way? There shouldn't be much trouble. Don't be paranoid of course, but consider "rush hours" when transiting any metropolitan area. Rush hours it can be a little crowded around places not real big, like Davenport Iowa, Des Moines, Omaha Lincoln, Nebraska, but not too bad. There's a real beauty of a truckstop near Grand Island, Nebraska. Exit 312. Has some sections salvaged from the World Trade Center on display. Near Davenport, but a bit West there is "The Largest Truckstop in the World". It's not a big deal to me... I don't think the food is all that good. Hell, I'd park at the Pilot on the South side of the Interstate if I had a delivery the following morning in the Davenport area, just to save the time getting in and out of the joint, and crossing over the highway.
Avoid Indianapolis if possible and practical too, that is if your Ohio location is in the Southern part, which could well lead you through Indy. Heavy traffic...a few cops on the side of the road here and there, both East and West...they will nail drivers for little over in "town".
Haven't been driving OTR for about ten months, but would expect there still to be some construction around Indy, and maybe on the West side I-70 too, out some miles. Someone else could weigh in with more specifics.
Avoid Illinois at all costs. Take the ferry from Michigan to Wisconsin - well worth the $150 the thugs in Obamaland.
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