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 Are
you concerned about your firearms when you're traveling? How
often do you wonder, "Am I carrying my firearms legally?
Will I get in trouble if pulled over?"
Western-action shooters travel
all across the country and some overseas. Each state seems to
have its own laws for how firearms may be legally transported.
Not only do these laws vary from state to state, but in some
cases they are significantly different. Traveling can be
nerve-racking. Those of you who have flown to shoots with guns
have probably all had that sick feeling in your stomach as you
stood there at the baggage claim hoping your gun case would pop
out.
Flying with firearms is not
that bad. They must all be declared and placed in the baggage
hold, and your ammunition is limited and cannot be placed in the
same case as the firearm. Airlines within the U.S. pretty much
all have the same regulations based on Federal requirements. The
difference among the airlines is usually how much and what type
of ammunition you can carry. Some even require it be in original
manufacturers' boxes.
Travel by auto, trailer, and
motor home is where it really becomes confusing from state to
state. It would be nice if all states had the same law for
travelers from out of state, just as it would great if all
states honored each other's Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)
permits (If this ever comes up for a vote in your state, be sure
to vote to support it). Unfortunately, this is not the case. The
law in most states is that you can carry a firearm in a vehicle
if it is unloaded and not within easy reach of the persons in
the car (i.e. place it in the trunk or in a gun case). Some
states allow you to carry a loaded firearm next to you in the
vehicle as long as it is open and not concealed - woe be unto
you if it is concealed and you don't have a CCW for that
state. By the way, watch out for Massachusetts.
Editorial
Continued
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