Road Trip Weapon

[timer]

We've taken a lot of trips over the 40 years we've been married, but we've never taken a long road trip. We are thinking about a two to three week drive next summer or fall - maybe up to Maine. We like to explore, so we will be off the interstate during a big part of our trip.

Can we legally have a firearm in our vehicle in states like NY, NJ, MA, VT, NH and ME?

 

[JR in KY]

Better leave it at home. I have been in all those states and they have some beautiful areas, But. I just can't get it out of my mind that "These People Elected Bernie Sanders." Better yet, go West.

 

[Mt Pokt]

Like JR said. If you're heading to New England, leave it home.
Some states may have firearms transportation laws you'll want to familiarize yourself with before packing the car too. Transportation and concealed carry being 2 different sets of laws.
When Ohio first legalized permitted concealed carry, you could get ticketed if you were pulled over because
the firearm transportation laws superseded the concealed carry law.
Do your homework...

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ky-gun-laws/

 

[baknblack]

What everyone else is saying. Go unarmed or go somewhere else. There are lots of horror stories about out of staters getting caught with a gun and arrested. Cost them dearly.

 

[carnivore]

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/ny-gun-laws/

 

[EdLongshanks]

Just a question and I’m pretty sure I know the answer, but say I don’t have a ky state ccp and I travel from a constitutional carry state (ky) to a ccp reciprocal state like Ohio, with a concealed firearm in my vehicle…am I illegal?

 

[Strutter]

Yes you are illegal. When KY passed it to where you could carry without a ccdw permit they said that if you planned on going out of state that you should keep your ccdw up to date.

 

[carnivore]

Just a question and I’m pretty sure I know the answer, but say I don’t have a ky state ccp and I travel from a constitutional carry state (ky) to a ccp reciprocal state like Ohio, with a concealed firearm in my vehicle…am I illegal?

Reciprocity is for ccdw only BUT as of june 12 2022 Ohio is now a constitutional carry state. Before that date you were illegal, looks like interpretation of carrying in a vehicle is vague and up for interpretation so you are at the mercy of the sitting attorney general. See below.

Summary of Ohio Gun Laws​

Ohio is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons licenses issued at the county level by a county sheriff.

There is no permit, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.

Open carry and concealed carry are legal without a permit. Individuals 21 years old or older not prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are no longer required to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun as of June 12, 2022. Since open carry is not addressed in state statutes, the Federal minimum age for possession of a handgun of 18 years old applies. Disclaimer:Carrying in vehicles is not addressed in the Constitutional Carry bill. However, according to the Ohio Attorney General, it is legal to possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

Residents can still obtain a CHL. They must have completed eight hours of firearms training and meet other criteria to qualify. Current and former servicemen and women are able to obtain an Ohio CHL without paying the fee or going through a concealed carry class. In addition, active duty military with a valid military identification card and documentation of successful firearms training that meets or exceeds that required in Ohio do not need to obtain an Ohio license. Non-residents can obtain a CHL if they work in Ohio. In terms of reciprocity, Ohio will honor permits issued by any state or jurisdiction.

 

[timer]

Interesting responses so far....

I agree that CC and transportation in a vehicle are two different things. I was specifically wanting to know about having a weapon in the car. I do not plan on carrying the weapon.

I thought there was a Supreme Court ruling that said the city/state (I believe it was NY - maybe DC) couldn't deny you the right to take your pistol to the range in your car. I thought this ruling struck down any state laws against transportation. I accept that the city/state might be able to tell you how to secure your pistol (maybe in a locked box in the trunk) while in the vehicle....but I thought it was legal.

I did NOT know the Ohio transportation issue. I've driven into Cincinnati several times with my loaded Glock in my truck. Is that still law in effect?

Wife wants to drive through New England. It sounds nice, peaceful, laid-back. I guess the safe thing to do would be to leave the Glock at home.

 

[1wildcatfan]

We've taken a lot of trips over the 40 years we've been married, but we've never taken a long road trip. We are thinking about a two to three week drive next summer or fall - maybe up to Maine. We like to explore, so we will be off the interstate during a big part of our trip.

Can we legally have a firearm in our vehicle in states like NY, NJ, MA, VT, NH and ME?

Resources online that will answer your question.
Several yrs ago, traveling through NJ, firearm needs to be in locked case out of reach. I think its more strict now. I have a CCP from Ky, Fl, Az and Utah. I'm covered in most states, but there are several I'm not covered in.

 

[carnivore]

Interesting responses so far....

I agree that CC and transportation in a vehicle are two different things. I was specifically wanting to know about having a weapon in the car. I do not plan on carrying the weapon.

I thought there was a Supreme Court ruling that said the city/state (I believe it was NY - maybe DC) couldn't deny you the right to take your pistol to the range in your car. I thought this ruling struck down any state laws against transportation. I accept that the city/state might be able to tell you how to secure your pistol (maybe in a locked box in the trunk) while in the vehicle....but I thought it was legal.

I did NOT know the Ohio transportation issue. I've driven into Cincinnati several times with my loaded Glock in my truck. Is that still law in effect?

Wife wants to drive through New England. It sounds nice, peaceful, laid-back. I guess the safe thing to do would be to leave the Glock at home.

The link I provided has a summary for each state. Just select each one and read through. Do you have a concealed weapons license? If you do not it is absolutely a complete no go. If you do, Several states laws allow you to transport unloaded in the trunk but *only to go to a gun range, home from the store you bought it from, on your way to a gun repair shop without stopping. They write a bunch of shit in and leave out “just passing through” intentionally.
If your firearm is unloaded in the trunk you might as well leave it home.



Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 aka “The Peaceable Journey Law”
This act allows a person to transport a firearm through states in which he or she does not hold a valid permit, as long as he or she may lawfully carry (whether by permit, constitutional carry, etc.) in the state of origin as well as the destination. The owner of the firearm must be in transit and not stay in the state where possession would be illegal. Furthermore, the firearm must be unloaded and contained in a locked box or out of the driver’s reach, unless state law allows otherwise. It is recommended that ammunition be in a separate, preferably locked container. In some states, the drivers must pass through the state without stopping, and in others only short stops are tolerated. Consult the USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity and Gun Law Map to determine what laws apply to you for every state along your route.

The act does not allow the owner to use his or her firearm for defense during transit.

Fed Interstate 18 USC § 926A — Vehicle carry unloaded and secured
These sections of the code were intended to protect the passage of travelers (who can legally possess a firearm) to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he or she may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he or she may lawfully possess and carry such firearm. The firearm must be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition can be readily accessible from the passenger compartment. In the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. It is recommended that ammunition be in a separate, preferably locked container.

 

[timer]

The link I provided has a summary for each state. Just select each one and read through. Do you have a concealed weapons license? If you do not it is absolutely a complete no go. If you do, Several states laws allow you to transport unloaded in the trunk but *only to go to a gun range, home from the store you bought it from, on your way to a gun repair shop without stopping. They write a bunch of shit in and leave out “just passing through” intentionally.
If your firearm is unloaded in the trunk you might as well leave it home.

Agree. Unloaded and inaccessible equal useless in a situation of need. Thanks for the link - I didn't have time to review this morning but I'll take a look late this evening when I get home.

I feel like we'll be in a situation where the laws keep lawful folks from having the means to deter unlawful people with evil intent. If Biden and Schumer and AOC could have their way then only the criminals would have guns and we'd all be easy pickin's.

 

[carnivore]

Agree. Unloaded and inaccessible equal useless in a situation of need. Thanks for the link - I didn't have time to review this morning but I'll take a look late this evening when I get home.

I feel like we'll be in a situation where the laws keep lawful folks from having the means to deter unlawful people with evil intent. If Biden and Schumer and AOC could have their way then only the criminals would have guns and we'd all be easy pickin's.

The officers will not acknowledge nor seem well informed (which is likely intentional) on all these federal laws that supersede their own. They will enforce them and let the judge and lawyers figure out the rest after the fact. Meanwhile you sit in jail until they decide you were correct. Read up thoroughly on each state. And have all statues printed out for them in a folder for reference. (All this to carry an unloaded useless fire arm in your trunk.) Its not worth it.

 

[grinder]

I plan to do the same trip, and will have at least three guns in the car.
I really dont give a flip what their laws are.
My life, and my wife’s life is worth more than any fine they can give me.
Dont speed or do anything to give them a reason to pull you over.
My vehicle has been searched only once in my life, at the gates of Camp Lejuene, when picking up my Marine.
You have to give LE a reason to search you, or your vehicle.
I dont plan on giving them a reason.

 

[beauhunter41031]

Well call me an ignorant outlaw, but there’s no way in hell I would be traveling anywhere that far from home without a firearm