Moving from ME to FL -- firearms transport?

S

Sea Buck

New member
I have a question which has been bugging me for some time. I am moving to FL next year from ME. How do I transfer my firearms collection, and ammo, to my new home in FL and not break a "Gotcha" law in a State such as DC, VA,MD,NJ,NY,CT,MA ? Just pack them in the vehicle, go the speed limit and pray? Some ideas would be appreciated.
 
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Put you firearm in locked containers. If you in a car put them in the trunk or other place not accessible to the people in the car. Ammo in a separate container. Mags should be unloaded. Note: if you going to be in NJ. NO HOLLOW POINT AMMO. Plan your trip so as to not stop for the night in NY, NJ or MD.
 
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From Sea Buck:
"Just pack them in the vehicle, go the speed limit and pray?"

Basically, yes. Lock them up separately from ammo in the cargo area (ie: trunk, rear area of a SUV, etc.). No need to pray, Jesus won't help you here.
 
I don't know about the other states but you don't need to worry about Virginia. All you need to do is make sure they are unloaded, pack for shipment, throw them in your car trunk and come on down. If you wish to carry a pistol while here we are an open carry state. Anyone who is legally able to own a gun can open carry their pistol including nonresidents. Also the no guns signs do not carry force of law. If you are seen carrying where there is a sign they must verbally ask you to leave. Then if you refuse they will call police and ask you again in front of them. If you refuse in front of police then it is only a trespass charge not a weapon charge. Most places in Virginia are very gun friendly. Again don't worry and come on down and enjoy.
 
FOPA works, just do not stop in those infamously anti states

And welcome to FL!

When I moved here from the West, the mover moved my guns (well except for one or two) but I had all of the "hazardous" stuff - ammo, primers, gas, powder, etc. in my truck. Covered with a tarp, no issues - but I did have to go around the Hoover Dam.
 
Sea Buck, the only state you cannot avoid, with proper route planning is New York. Running from NH thru NY to PA would be the most 'dangerous'. If all your firearms are locked out of reach and in a separate container from unloaded magazines you should be okay. Avoid New Jersey at all costs.
This does depend on where in Florida you are moving.
 
This does depend on where in Florida you are moving.
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Not really, FL has some long stretches from the panhandle to the Keys, but Interstate and Turnpike can get you anywhere quickly. As in any state with a large population, major cities and a multi-cultural make-up, there are certain areas you want to avoid and others that are fine.
 
And always remember, you are under no obligation to answer any questions from the police and it is your right not to. All you are legally required to do is provide your driver's license and registration and proof of insurance.
 
You would have to be trying to drive through DC so don't do that.

Once you get to Virginia it is smooth sailing. I'd just drive through until I was well past the 495-95 interchange South of Springfield, VA and find a place to stop for the night.
 
Wow, you're really landlocked in the Northeast! Can you hop a barge from Maine to Virginia then drive the rest of the way? :D
 
Even here in NY you can pass through the state without a problem. You can be in NY for 24 hours if it's a "pass through" situation. I drove every year from NY to FL with a van full of guns and ammo. I mean FULL. Four of us would go to the NSSF shoot in Ft. Lauderdale every year and we had at least twenty-five guns in the car and cases and cases of ammo. Never a problem. Keep them all empty and cased and not readily accessible to the driver or front passenger. If you get stopped, just tell them what you have and why you have it. I don't think there are any laws being broken in that scenario. It is against the law in about any state to lie about it though and the entire scenario changes from innocent to guilty in a big hurry. Drive the speed limit, drive safely, and drive sober. Be polite and you won't have any problems.....unless you're a convicted felon or have drugs in the car. In that case, all bets are off.

NOTE: Do not leave the guns in the car overnight anywhere. That's just asking for trouble.
 
Wow, you're really landlocked in the Northeast! Can you hop a barge from Maine to Virginia then drive the rest of the way?
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You can. Weird but in order to drive North-South you either have to detour 500 miles, take a boat or go through the Springfield Interchange. The Springfield Interchange is larger than many cities.
 
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