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.
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.
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