Rifle Transportation

U

usmilitarysoldier

Inactive
I need to know the law of transporting a personally owned rifle from state to state. I am going to be moving my belongings to my new active duty station, including my rifles (no pistols), and I need to know the rules and regulations of transporting/storing a personally owned rifle in a vehicle.
 
I am actually getting shipped to South Korea for a year first. The question is more for when I return to the States. I haven't gotten my assignment yet for the US.
 
Shouldn't be a problem. I go hunting all over the Western United States with rifles, shotguns and handguns. Keep them out of the passenger area, keep them unloaded, separate from your ammo and you should be OK... If you think there is a problem, check the laws and regs of each state you are passing through...
 
I'm not a lawyer and I haven't read the rules of each state, but like previously said, as long as the ammo and weapons are separated and the weapons are not hidden (as in under a seat, under a blanket, etc) you'll probably be OK. I personally keep ammo in back seat in a backpack and the weapons in the trunk of the car. Another advantage is when you stop to eat or sleep they are out of sight.

I've never been pulled over while transporting a firearm, but if it ever happens my plan is to not mention they are in there unless the officer asks me to get out or if he wants to search my car. If he's just asking me why I was speeding, I don't feel they need to know I have legally owned, unloaded firearms in the trunk.. It would be a polite, "Sir, just so you know, I've got legally owned, unloaded firearms in my trunk. I'm returning from a trip from so-and-so range." My hunting partner who is a Deputy Sheriff told me they don't like surprises so a courtesy statement before hand will almost always go over well. I know we've got law enforcement officers on here, maybe they'll chime in on how to handle this type of situation.

Have you ever been to Korea? It will be a total culture shock when you first get there, but if you give it an honest chance and keep an open mind about how they live, I guarantee you will have a ton of fun.. Koreans have a very respectful culture and as long as you don't have a "know it all" attitude or attitude of being superior, you'll a great experience!
 
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Thanks for the responses. I appreciate it. No, I have not been to Korea. I am looking forward to it though. I hope to learn a lot of culture and military knowledge while there.
 
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If you're doing a military move they will contract a moving company to pick up your household goods, store themwhile you are in Korea, and deliver them to your next duty station. It's a pretty easy process. You don't have to worry about the transportation legal issues, the mover will do it all for you.
 
I have never let movers handle my firearms. For what it's worth, most of the items that friends and I lost over the years in PCS moves were lost during the storage phase (when we didn't have a new address prior to the move, so goods were put in the movers' warehouse nearest the new base). Items were more likely to be lost, stolen, or damaged at the warehouse.

I recommend storing firearms and small, valuable items with family while you are in Korea, and moving them yourself when you get back. Look into Partial DITY (Do It Yourself) moves at your Household Goods office; you get paid by the military for expenses by weight and mileage, even if you only move a small portion of inventory yourself.
 
Next bit of advice: take pictures of items you do let movers take, so you can prove "before" condition in case the movers damage anything. Keep a list of electronics serial and model numbers, in case of loss.

Also, movers who contract with DOD are supposed to bring enough crew to box and pack your shipment, and move it all. Some outfits try to make money by understaffing, and some will even try to get you to help. If this happens, call your HHG office, and they will send a rep.

Pay close attention to the condition the movers list for your goods on the inventory. They tend to mark everything scratched, chipped, etc. Again, if conflict exists, call HHG.

Movers should disassemble large furniture; on the delivery end, they should reassemble it. Any problems, you get the idea...

At the delivery end, movers should put items in the rooms you specify. They should reassemble furniture. They should remove packing materials (unless you opt to keep them). If you let them go without doing this, it's on you. If they argue, call HHG.
 
Last couple items:

Keep anything you do not want movers to take in a separate area, preferably behind a locked door. The good ones pack quickly, and will empty a room faster than you would believe. If you plan to take or store it yourself, don't put it near stuff you want movers to take.

If friends and family are available, have a few over on mover day, to help watch for damage to goods or house during packing at departure end, and unloading and reassembly at the new place.

By the way, when you are overseas, or on TDY if CONUS, you can get reimbursed for storage fees.

Any questions or problems, call your HHG / shipping office.

Good luck with the move, and the new assignments.
 
I work with active duty military personnel and they are not happy campers about some of the movers. I would not let the movers near my firearms much less store them.
 
From chasep255; Stay away from my state.
__________________
I have mostly non-sporting firearms
In NJ, technically speaking, ALL guns are illegal
Also in my state there is such thing as a Class III BB gun
Happy to say that despite the NJ AWB I still manage to make my guns look scary
Click to expand...

I'm surprised they don't make slingshots ClassIII;)
 
I ended up in a conversation w/ somone at the Calif dept of fish and wildlife..Asked this question and noone there could answer it. Weird.

finally found a book at the local sportsmans warehouse which had a state by state breakdown of laws..
Helpful to say the least.
elkman06
 
I think as long as you put it in a case unloaded, take the bolt out and put a gun lock on it and lock it in the trunk you really can't argue about it, unless you have a gun that is illegal in that particular state.
 
If you have a book of state laws you might want to check the publishing date to make sure it is current.
 
some good advice but you will need to know the laws about whether or not you are required to inform a LEO that you have a weapon on your person or in the vehicle if and when you do get pulled over.

www.hangunlaw.us

every state is different - the answer is a blue "NO" or red "YES" on top right of the state you click on. It is important to respect these laws whether its a pain for you or not(in my opinion).
 
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