Guideto the

InterstateTransportation

ofFirearms

FFL to FFL Shipment of FirearmsDepending on your travel route, shipping your firearm(s) to an FFL at your destination may likely be the safest thing to do to avoid an all expense paid vacation in some local jail.

Shipping your firearm(s) from one FFL to another FFL will, of course, cost you packaging, shipping, insurance, handling charges, and a receipt and background check fee at the destination when you pick up the gun(s). Not very cheap, but a lot less expensive than an attorney and a few days or weeks in jail.

The FFL may package the firearm for you or you may do it yourself. Just be sure the package is not sealed when you take it to the FFL so they can verify the serial numbers.

While you may go to any FFL location, the Village Straight Shooters has a member that has an FFL and will handle your shipping and receiving require-ments for a discounted rate compared to others. His name is: Jeff Greenwood

904 Cancun Ct.Lady Lake, FL 32159Phone: 352-459-5477Email: greenwood152@aol.com

Please contact Jeff before making any detailed arrangements. Information is on the VSS Club website at:

www.vssclub.org/ffl-transfer-services.html

Interstate 75 – Florida to MichiganTraveling from Florida as far north as Michigan is a fairly safe journey provided you are following fed-eral law regarding the transportation of firearms. You will travel through:

● Florida● Georgia● Tennessee● Kentucky● Ohio● Michigan

All of the states along this route have strong pre-emption laws, so you will not have to worry about any local variations or restrictions regarding the gun laws.

Should you be stopped by Law Enforcement Officer, notification for all except Ohio & Michigan is “Upon Demand by LEO” Ohio & Michigan require “Immediate Notification”

Some states along this route allow the driver to have access to a gun either openly or concealed without a permit. Be sure you know which ones allow this.

Interstate 10 – Florida to CaliforniaHeading west from Florida along Interstate 10 with a firearm is very safe until you hit the California border. At that point throw all of your guns out the window and continue on your journey.

Along this route you will go through:● Florida● Alabama● Mississippi● Louisiana● Texas● New Mexico● Arizona● California

All states on this route have strong preemption laws except California, of course. Louisiana & Texas re-quire immediate notification upon contact with LEO.

Access to your firearm varies from state to state along this route. Be sure you know where you are!

Sources of InformationOne of the best sources for information to plan your trip is the document shown here. This document is updated annually and shows detailed information about each state plus a great deal more. This is available at Amazon and is usually priced around $20.

You should also check the current reciprocity page on the FL State website for the latest information. If travel-ing with a firearm it pays to be very informed. Date Published April, 2019

IntroductionFederal law does not restrict people from transport-ing legally acquired firearms across state lines for lawful purposes except those individuals prohibited by from doing so such as convicted felons, illegal drug users, etc.

Numerous state and local jurisdictions have laws that conflict with federal laws. Travelers must be aware of such legal requirements in each jurisdic-tion.

Federal Law on the Transportation of Firearms

The recent Firearms Owners' Protection Act, FOPA, protects individuals who are transporting firearms through local jurisdictions who would otherwise prohibit their passage.

Similar to the Peaceable Journey Act, FOPA restates that a person is entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he or she may lawfully own such firearm to any other place where he or she may law-fully possess such firearm, if the firearm is unloaded and placed in a locked, hard-sided, container not ac-cessible to the driver or any passengers excluding the glove compartment or console. Ammunition must be secured in the same manner in a separate locked container.

Travelers must be aware that some states view the FOPA provision as an “affirmative defense” that may only be raised in court by your attorney after arrest and detention pending your court date.

The McClure-Volkmer Act of 1986 is an amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and serves to correct certain daconian aspects of the prior law to make in-terstate transport of firearms less restrictive.

If traveling through a restrictive state along your route, it would be a good idea to have a copy of your

Firearms Aboard Commercial Aircraft, Ships, Trains, Buses

Firearm possession in the “sterile” area of an air-port is prohibited, however individuals flying to their destination may transport unloaded firearms in their checked baggage.

The firearms and any magazines must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided case. Ammo & firearms may be in the same case depending on the specific airlines regulations. Ammo should be in its com-mercial box or container.

Travelers must notify the airline agent at check-in if they have a firearm or ammo in their checked bag-gage and provide the key or combo if a search is requested. Only the passenger may have a key to the gun case.

Since procedures vary among airlines, you should call ahead to determine what procedures are re-quired and if any paperwork is necessary. Federal law prohibits the airline from marking any luggage containing a firearm with any signage.

A federal court has determined that the McClure-Volkmer law only applies to vehicular traffic. If you have a connecting flight in a restrictive state, you could face prosecution especially if you should have to claim and recheck your baggage.

Anyone traveling with a firearm by train, cruise ship, or long distance bus or any other form of common carrier involved in interstate transporta-tion, must turn over possession of their legally owned firearm to the captain, conductor, or pilot of the vessel for the duration of the trip.

Motor Home and RV Issues

Some carriers do make provisions for passen-gers with firearms. Con-tact the carrier before-hand to determine what the policy might be.

hotel/motel reservations or proof of residence at your des-tination where you may legally own the gun. Also, some proof of your origin will show that you are in full com-pliance with federal law.

A common concern among RV owners is whether the RV is considered a vehicle or a resi-dence.

Most states regard RVs as readily mobile and thus subject to laws concerning vehicular travel. How-ever, courts have held that RVs in fixed states with water, power, & sewer hookups are residences.

Owners should keep this distinction on mind. Many states allow loaded firearms in residences but not in vehicles.

Because of the lack of specific state laws, RV own-ers should consider external lockable compartments the same as a trunk, requiring that you exit the vehi-cle to access the compartment. The same standard can be applied to trailers.

Interstate 95 – Florida to MaineWhen traveling from Florida to Maine using the In-terstate 95 route, you will go through 16 different states including the District of Columbia.

According to federal law you should be safe through to your destination assuming you may legally own the gun at your destination. This is provided that thegun is unloaded, in a locked case, and not immediately ac-cessible to the driver or any passengers.

Sadly, you are not safe!

There are a number of states along your route that will arrestyou, given the opportunity, as a matter of pure ille-gal harassment. You will be arrested and jailed pending a court appearance, requiring you to hire an attorney. Once in court, federal law will be used as an “affirmative defense” and the case will be dismissed, usually. You have have lost time, sometimes weeks, and money. Offending states are:

● Washinton, D.C.● Maryland● New Jersey● New York

● Connecticut● Rhode Island● Massachusetts