Corps of Eng. . . DC May Issue. . . Long Guns. . . Answers

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Gary Slider

New member
The Corps of Engineers are facing lawsuits from various people/groups in different parts of the USA against all carry on Corps of Engineer property. A Federal Judge upheld the Law in Georgia while a Federal Judge in Idaho ruled against the Corps but the Idaho ruling only covers that district and stated that in the decision. There has been federal legislation to remove this restriction but it has not passed. Handgunlaw.us believes the restrictions will be lifted but how far in the future is anyone’s guess. The Corps uses taxpayer money to defend their claims so they don’t care how much it costs. Court cases take time but things are looking up for this restriction on our rights to be lifted. On a side note I have not come across any cases where someone was charged with carrying on Corps property with a valid permit/license and not breaking another law. The one case I have seen was charged with carrying after being arrested for another crime. I can’t see all cases. Does anyone know of anyone charged for just carrying legally and not breaking any other law except for being on Corps property? You can read the Idaho Ruling Here:
http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/agopinions/IdahoCOERulingMorrisvArmyCorps.pdf

On DC and their “May Issue.” The Chief stated they are going to start the process around 10/22. They have not posted any info on the DC Police website on the process as of today that I have seen. The new law on carry in DC will be in court more than once over the coming months/years. Both sides will be fighting very hard for their side of the issue. The DC Chief of Police doesn’t want to release the names of those who get a permit in DC. This is one time I think they should as long as DC Law is “May Issue.” If they have to release names they can’t just issue them to their friends and the connected as it will be very visible. DC Authorities have already stated that those living in High Crime Areas and such don’t meet the May Issue Requirements plus the law states they can restrict the times and places your permit would be valid. If DC permit law were “Shall Issue” I firmly believe all applicants’ info should be private!

DC PD - http://mpdc.dc.gov/
DC PD Firearms Page - http://mpdc.dc.gov/service/firearm-registration-district-columbia

With the way the world is going and threats from overseas pointing to the USA I am seeing a lot of discussion on having a long gun for vehicle carry all the time. (In the Trunk etc.) www.handgunlaw.us doesn’t catalog the carrying of long guns in vehicles. I do know some states do allow it with just an empty chamber or the loaded magazine not inserted into the firearm and some states have different rules for vehicle carry of longs guns for daylight hours and after dark. In others it must be cased and in some states you just can’t tote around a firearm in the trunk of your vehicle. (Think NJ) After much thought I decided not to add a section to each states page but later this fall and winter I may start researching this and maybe put a document on the site with just long gun laws in vehicles or just list the code sections in that states laws showing where to find it. These type laws would be scattered in the Statutes and Administrative Rules. Hunting laws would also affect long guns in vehicles. If you know the Statue/Admin Rule/Hunting Reg that covers this for your state I would appreciate an email to admins@handgunlaw.us with the alpha/numeric code for the law. That is all I would need.

I get emails asking questions and when I reply they get bounced back saying I have to click on a link and fill something out so they know I am a real person or Handgunlaw.us is not listed as someone’s email they will accept. I welcome questions but make sure you have your email set up so my reply can get back to you. This seems to be happening more and more.
 
Thank you for keeping up the good work.
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The "long gun in a vehicle" may be trickier to make citations for than handguns.

At least in the states I frequent, laws regarding long guns in a vehicle are not specifically codified (or, at least not as well as handguns). Rather, you have to take the combined definitions and sections from many different pieces of code, to come up with the answer to the concept.

This is one of those places where "Utah unloaded" comes to mind as an example for allowing rifles without a cartridge in the chamber....
Utah's definition of "loaded" and their lack of transportation requirements make pretty much any firearm fine for 'car carry' as long as there isn't a round that can be fired with fewer than two actions on the part of the operator (not including safety devices).
However, there is no specific piece of code that says it's okay to do so with a rifle. Instead, it is the lack of prohibition of certain activities (or firearm states) that allows for it....


There is, of course, the "car carry" allowance. ...But it only applies to handguns. The legislature (byway of the Wildlife Division) was very careful to exclude long guns from being loaded in a vehicle.
 
It will be interesting. I believe in most states you will have to keep it in some type of case. A zippered soft sided gun case or something of that nature. Here in WV after dark a long gun has to be cased. Doing the day it can be on the back seat with just the action open. Big thing is going to be ammo and loaded mags etc. I am a shotgun man. My shotgun has 11 rounds attached to it all the time outside the feed tube. I do know in some places just having those rounds attached to the firearm is illegal to transport that way. I do know I will err on the side of caution.
 
I guess that's one of the exceedingly few areas where Florida firearms law is written well. Although the handgun carry section is confusing and ambiguous (a handgun must be securely encased or not otherwise readily available for immediate use - good luck with the grey areas there), it says that nothing in that section shall prohibit a long gun from being carried in any manner in a vehicle.
 
Here is info on Florida law and long guns,
Yes, loaded rifle/shotguns allowed anywhere in passenger compartment - loaded, uncased, no training required. Exceptions would include schools and federal property. Statute 790.25(5).
 
In Pa a long gun may not be carried in a vehicle or or even touching it loaded. The ammo must be in a separate compartment. Outside pockets on a gun bag qualify as a separate compartment. Putting a loaded mag in the bag with the long gun is a no no. A long gun doesn't need to be in a container of any sort as long as the ammo is in a separate container.
 
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