federal law providing defense.........

S

sewerman

New member
against N.Y. state law that prohibits the interstate travel of a person with a firearm traveling from a state permited to carry through a state not complying in reciprocity.

i read this on web ste USACARRY but was unable to find the wording of the federal law.

i'm planning a motorcycle trip from deep south to buffalo N.Y. and the only state not showing reciprocity is N.Y.

the usacarry site mentioned in my case carrying unloaded in locked case since i won't have a trunk per/se on the bike.

sure hate to make this trip without being protected during these days.

i have a florida concealed permit.

where would i find this federal law and if there is such a law would the knowledge prevent me form arrest if somehow i was stopped and searched?

thanks'
sewerman
 
FOPA 1986.

Firearm Owners' Protection Act.

18 USC, SS 921

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm_Owners_Protection_Act

One of the law's provisions was that persons traveling from one place to another for a shooting sports event or any other lawful activity cannot be arrested for a firearms offense in a state that has strict gun control laws if the traveler is just passing through (short stops for food and gas) and the firearms and ammunition are not immediately accessible, unloaded and, in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment, in a locked container.[5]

An example of this would be that someone driving from Virginia to a competition in Vermont with a locked hard case containing an unloaded handgun and a box of ammunition in the trunk could not be prosecuted in New Jersey or New York City for illegal possession of a handgun provided that they did not stop in New Jersey or New York for an extended period of time.
Click to expand...

This is an interpretation from Wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt, but unloaded and inaccessible is the key to be protected via FOPA while travelling through various "-istan" states with draconian gun laws. Newyorkistan, Kalifornistan, et cetera.

Print a copy of the FOPA and travel with it, just in case it is necessary to educate an overzealous officer. Or cite to a judge.
 
You can't posssess a handgun nin NY without a permit. You can travel through there with one, but can't stay.

WildifyougettobuffalodothepastafazoolatsantasierosAlaska ™
 
The way I interpret this is that because Buffalo is your end point, you are no longer protected by this law from NY's more restrictive law. You might want to change your "end" destination to Erie or some other place just across the border.
 
Buffalo, one of my old home towns. BUT, don't do this. As pointed out before, you are not protected if Buffalo is your end point.

The local law may also not take kindly to locked case motorcycle carry. You may be trying to explain the law from your cell.
 
thanks for the insight.

looks like i'm having to change my destination. i will look to see what the definition of passing through is...probably only period of time needed to transverse the state. what about having to stay over because of inclimate weather?

need to do some thorough reading before leaving........

thanks again,

sewerman
 
Even though Fed law protects you, you are still at risk

The best thing to do is NOT take a gun through those states that prohibit it. There have been numerous cases of travelers, protected by the FOPA, that have run afoul of local law enforcement. The have been arrested, and put in jail, had their guns taken, etc. In the end, the charges get dropped, as the FOPA does protect you. But, until then, you are in arrested, in jail, time and money (lawyer fees) lost, and possible your gun(s) also. If you can avoid it, thats the best thing to do.

good luck.
 
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