Traveling out of state with pistols?

[Brando 0]

I am planning to visit my friend who lives in VA in approximately 2 weeks. He works for a government agency and has an array of pistols and rifles. I would like to while down there to go to the range with him and bring my XDM 9 and 1911 to let him try.

 

What are the regulations if I was to put locks on my guns and transport them from NJ to VA in my trunk?

 

I would be stopping in Philadelphia to pick up 2 friends and then heading down, but the guns would remain in my trunk until we reach my friend's residence, where they would then be locked in his safe.

 

I've never transported my guns beyond the range and would like some insight.

 

Thank you,

 

Brandon

[HBecwithFn7 296]

I am planning to visit my friend who lives in VA in approximately 2 weeks. He works for a government agency and has an array of pistols and rifles. I would like to while down there to go to the range with him and bring my XDM 9 and 1911 to let him try.

 

What are the regulations if I was to put locks on my guns and transport them from NJ to VA in my trunk?

 

I would be stopping in Philadelphia to pick up 2 friends and then heading down, but the guns would remain in my trunk until we reach my friend's residence, where they would then be locked in his safe.

 

I've never transported my guns beyond the range and would like some insight.

 

Thank you,

 

Brandon

 

Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) - It says it all.

 

As long as you may legally possess the weapons in both the state of origin and the destination, you are covered for all travel in between.  But, DO NOT STOP for any significant time in any state in between, or you may be subject to the laws of that state.  For example, if you decide you want to "overnight" somewhere prior to arriving in VA, you would be subject to the laws of that state. Personally,  I would not stop in Maryland at all.. not even for fuel or food. In fact, depending on where you will be staying in VA, I may choose a route of travel that minimizes my time traveling through MD.  If it's somewhere near the Roanoke area or on the way, I'd take I-78 all the way through Penn. to I-81, and drop down to VA that way. That would give you far less time in MD (12.08 miles, 10-15 min straight through, by Haggerstown). If you need to go to the Richmond, Norfolk, or VA Beach areas, you may as well take I-95. But if possible, come down the Eastern Shore route (US 301/50) and across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, straight across US50 West to the Cap. Beltway, and then down to I-95.  I would NOT go through the Baltimore tunnels...

 

Enjoy.. Stay Safe.

[PK90 3,570]

No issues should arise if transported like you stated. Perfectly legal. Make sure they are unloaded.

[PK90 3,570]

I am sure they will be someone along to post that FOPA does not apply in NJ and/or NJ's transport law does not allow handguns to be taken out of state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait for it ..... wait for it ....

[Brando 0]

No issues should arise if transported like you stated. Perfectly legal. Make sure they are unloaded.

 

Yes they will be unloaded, magazines and guns in separate compartments and ammo in separate compartments.

 

I am not too worried about traveling in VA with them in my friend's car given his position, but my concern was traveling in NJ to PA down to VA with them.

 

Thanks for the insight!

[GRIZ 3,369]

I am sure they will be someone along to post that FOPA does not apply in NJ and/or NJ's transport law does not allow handguns to be taken out of state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait for it ..... wait for it ....

[glockamole 0]

You will be fine. As stated don't stop for long period of time or fopa might not apply and it would be that states laws then. I never taken my handgun to Virginia but I do take it to delaware all the time. Put them in the trunk ammo separate no issues. Have fun!

[Brando 0]

Going away this weekend, wish me luck!

 

Anyone have recommendations on ranges near Fairfax VA

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot 358]

Close by, NRA Range or Arlington Fairfax IWLA.

 

Farther out, the Cove in Gore, VA

[oldguysrule649 397]

Two range suggestions. I travel to Virginia on business and have shot at both. Did not transport my own guns. I either rented or went with a VA friend and shot his guns.

 

Silver Eagle Group in Ashburn

Sharpshooters in Lorton.

 

The latter requires you buy a membership (1month min for $25).

[Worn_Holster 2]

The NRA range in Fairfax is very nice. They also have an awesome firearms museum there at the NRA headquarters.

[Smokin .50 1,907]

Go and have a good time!  And if you get the chance, do make the NRA Museum!

[Brando 0]

We will be going to the Sharpshooters range, my friend has been before and said it is good.

 

I have my 2 pistols in my range bag with trigger locks + locks through the slides. I have my ammo in an ammo can, but it is not locked. Should I buy a lock for my ammo can too?

 

Thanks for all the help!

[Brando 0]

Thanks everyone again for the tips and advice. We went to Sharpshooters on Saturday and it was a good time. The range was empty and everyone was very friendly. My only complaint was inside the ports was an ice box!

 

I shot a few of my friend's guns and looks like Christmas I might get another one :x

[HBecwithFn7 296]

Thanks everyone again for the tips and advice. We went to Sharpshooters on Saturday and it was a good time. The range was empty and everyone was very friendly. My only complaint was inside the ports was an ice box!

 

I shot a few of my friend's guns and looks like Christmas I might get another one :x

 

Just curious... What route did you travel?  And did you stop over anywhere?

[Brando 0]

Just curious... What route did you travel?  And did you stop over anywhere?

 

 

We went down 95 pretty much the whole way then followed the gps to and eventually ended up on rt 66 to FairFax, VA.

 

I made two stops on the way down, one in Philly to pick up my friends, second at a rest stop to get a redbull. Once I arrived at my friend's residence he locked them in his safe.

 

Driving back North today we stopped for gas at service center, philadelphia, and then back home.

[HBecwithFn7 296]

We went down 95 pretty much the whole way then followed the gps to and eventually ended up on rt 66 to FairFax, VA.

 

I made two stops on the way down, one in Philly to pick up my friends, second at a rest stop to get a redbull. Once I arrived at my friend's residence he locked them in his safe.

 

Driving back North today we stopped for gas at service center, philadelphia, and then back home.

 

Sounds like it worked.... As long as you didn't stop in MD... But Philly might have been problematic as well.

[Brando 0]

Sounds like it worked.... As long as you didn't stop in MD... But Philly might have been problematic as well.

 

I think it might have been either the Delaware or Maryland welcome center that we stopped at, but I'm not sure.

 

What is the issue with Maryland?

[HBecwithFn7 296]

I think it might have been either the Delaware or Maryland welcome center that we stopped at, but I'm not sure.

 

What is the issue with Maryland?

 

The gun laws there are as strict (if not stricter) than NJ.  If you stopped for any length of time, MD might have claimed that you lost FOPA protection and subject you to their laws.

 

Also, I gather you heard of the case of Mr. Fillipidis.  We haven't heard much about this lately... Maybe the MTAP was told to "keep quiet" and not "expose the assets," but there is always the possibility of it happening again.  Best to avoid MD and DC if at all possible.

[67gtonut 847]

The tin foil hat is strong within this thread.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

[njpilot 671]

The tin foil hat is strong within this thread.....Sent from my iPhone

You ain't kidding Troy.

 

Sheesh. In 2011 I drove to FL with 2 handguns in my vehicle. Even stopped for crab cake lunch in Middle River, MD and lived to talk about it. Whew.

[67gtonut 847]

Amazing isnt it.... 

 

The few people who just spread the fear is amazing...

[Smokin .50 1,907]

Amazing isnt it.... 

 

The few people who just spread the fear is amazing...

Maybe now is a good time to mention I used to visit my son when he lived and worked in Iowa.....I would pack rifles, pistols, shotguns, ammo and pounds of black powder explosives into the trunk of my car and drive out 1,100 miles one way, taking Rt. 80 from NJ to Iowa, driving through Illinois and across the mighty Mississippi River and into Iowa.  Never broke a sweat.  Have NRA and other right-wing bumper stickers.  And ya know what.....NOBODY BLINKED!   WHEW!  Good thing I didn't stop to take a dump, lol!

[GRIZ 3,369]

Yes you can encounter problems driving through Maryland. There is one incident out of how many millions of people transported guns through the state. Maybe 3 or 4 out of DC.