Traveling with a gun (NJ to PA)

Yep, we got into that somewhere in all this...

the original poster finally decided it was safer for him to travel in NJ with the pistol locked in the trunk and no ammo in the car at all...

If that is the 'safest' way to travel in NJ, then I'll just stay away.
 
My bro-in-law and I reignited this topic over the holidays. He felt for sure that Florida would issue a non-resident CCW to a NJ resident despite my not having a CCW in my NJ. Anyone in NJ try this and get it to work (and thereafter get a non-res PA permit based on the FL one -- or just use the FL one with reciprocity)?
 
Florida will issue a non-resident permit, but it doesn't matter to PA. PA. continues to view NJ as a may issue state, and will not issue a CCW unless you have a NJ CCW. But your Florida non-resident permit is good for CCW in PA. no matter where you reside. :)
 
You may bring firearms from NJ to a range in PA. You do not need any special permit to do this. As long as you keep all firearms in a locked trunk and unloaded, you are well within the law. PA residents who don't have carry licenses are permitted to go to and from ranges in this fashion, and so are you.

A CCW license, issued either by PA or another state and recognized by PA, is only required if you plan on carrying firearms on you. If you get pulled over, you are not obligated to notify the officer that you have firearms in the trunk; notification is only required if you are carrying.

PA is gun-friendly, and as long as you exercise common sense, you won't run into any trouble.

Consider getting one of these books "The Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws
of the Fifty States," updated annually. They will give you the general rundown of the laws of each state, as well as the contact information for further questions.

http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm
 
stopped?

Great discussion. Lots to learn. One thing that I don't follow is the much stated fear of getting stopped by a cop in NJ (or NY). Why is that an issue at all? Why would you (or me) get stopped?
I travel back and forth between homes in NYC and PA on a very regular basis. Been doing it for many years. I've never been stopped; there's no reason that I should have been.
My big concern when carrying a firearm is the possiblity of a breakdown which would force me to have to leave my vehicle. Then, especially with long guns, it'd be pretty obvious that I had a firearm.
Pete
 
I have friends and relatives who live in NJ and have heard the horror stories for years. NJ's propaganda service has done its job well, as most have no idea what is or isnt legal, and the misinformation and rumors fly freely, even amongst people who live there.

When my kids got into grade school here they thought NJ was not part of the US, as I always told them we were leaving the country we we crossed the bridge. :)

In all the years I've been going across the border, I've been stopped quite a few times, all for mostly BS excuses of a reason, but I've was only ever ticketed once, which actually amazed me, especially when you talk to those who live there, who seemed even more amazed. A couple of the times I was stopped, I was on my way to shoot in matches in south Jersey, and I kept my mouth shut about what was in the car. They never asked, and I never offered. I probably would have said no if asked, I know someone from PA who answered honestly and didnt have a very pleasant experience. A word of advice, dont leave anything gun related, like a live round, laying in plain sight. ;)

Its not out of stater's that need to watch themselves, I personally know of two NJ residents who had their pistols confiscated, even while following all the prescribed "rules", for transport and behavior, or at least they thought, silly them, you have to shoot at an approved range, and not in a sand pit in the Pine Barrens. Took them almost a year, and a bunch of money for the lawyer to get them back.


.....notification is only required if you are carrying.
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As far as I know, unless something has recently changed, this isnt a requirement in PA. I never told them anyway, even when they asked about the bullet holes in the back of my truck. He had to go back (after he walked by them the first time), and put his finger on the stickers, and boy was he mad! We had to wait for back up and everything before he'd even get out of his car. Jeez, the cops in W. Conshohocken have no sense of humor! :D

Needless to say, they came off right after that. There was no way I was going into NJ with them on there. But I did bring a few and put them on some other peoples cars. :)
 
I should clear something up... I'm not worried about being stopped BECAUSE the guns are in the car. The concern was being stopped for some other offense (or non-offense) on the highway, and the guns then becoming some kind of issue.

At this point, I'm not really concerned about it as I would just carry the guns empty, unloaded, and with no ammo in the car just to avoid any issues.
 
For the record, it's not New Jersey itself that has made me so nervous about running afoul of the law, it's New York City (where I work) that gives me the willies.
 
jg, here's the scoop based on my personal experience with firearms in NY/NJ/PA for near twenty years:

1) As many have posted before, keep your firearms locked separate from the ammo and travel freely to PA to shoot. Just like traveling with your guns in Jerz, right? My wife and I take handguns and long guns to PA about six times a year to shoot on family property, no problems.
2) NO PA CCW will be issued without a NJ CCW which we know is damn near impossible to get, so give that up.
3) FL will issue a non resident CCW to us without having a NJ CCW and it's a nice thing to have, just because.
4) NEVER take a NJ registered handgun to NY state, they have zero sense of humor about this and honor no other state's handgun permit process.
5) It is a good idea to stop at WalMart to get ammo! We often go to Morgantown, PA; WalMart for shotgun ammo, Sonic and then it's 35-40 minutes on scenic roads to Cabela's.
 
I have traveled from Long Island to upstate New York countless times, which requires passing through New York City confines. I have only been stopped once, and was not asked nor volunteered any information about having weapons in the vehicle. I would say the odds are astronomically low that you are going to be picked out for a search or even a stop if you are following the speed limit and not breaking any traffic or equipment law. I have driven the New Jersey turnpike many times with guns in the vehicle heading towards PA and have never been stopped. Don't speed, don't tailgate and make sure all your lights are working. You'll be fine. I have licenses from NY, PA, CT, NH, FL and UT. That covers about 35-38 states. Only New York has "restrictions" because we can't be trusted with firearms here and the Suffolk County PD has to keep the people under control. :rolleyes:
 
jg, here's the scoop based on my personal experience with firearms in NY/NJ/PA for near twenty years:

1) As many have posted before, keep your firearms locked separate from the ammo and travel freely to PA to shoot. Just like traveling with your guns in Jerz, right? My wife and I take handguns and long guns to PA about six times a year to shoot on family property, no problems.
2) NO PA CCW will be issued without a NJ CCW which we know is damn near impossible to get, so give that up.
3) FL will issue a non resident CCW to us without having a NJ CCW and it's a nice thing to have, just because.
4) NEVER take a NJ registered handgun to NY state, they have zero sense of humor about this and honor no other state's handgun permit process.
5) It is a good idea to stop at WalMart to get ammo! We often go to Morgantown, PA; WalMart for shotgun ammo, Sonic and then it's 35-40 minutes on scenic roads to Cabela's.
Click to expand...

Superb info. Thank you.
 
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