Should I take my handgun with me on my car camping trip? I can't get a concealed carry permit in my county. But their brochure did say it's OK to have it in my car and my house. I know that the next county over (Denver) says it's illegal to have the gun in your car unless your moving your domicile, or you are going to/from the shooting/hunting range. They confiscate your car and contents if they catch you. I know they're nuts, so whaddya do? Is Denver the only wacked out city between the Mississippi and Sierra Madres? It makes only common sense to take one on car camping trips...
traveling
- Thread starter Kathryn
- Start date
When we go 4 wheeling and tent camping up in the mountians around Silverton, Durango, Oury and anywhere else in we always have 1-2 pistols along and sometimes a rifle or shotgun depending on where we will be going.
On a couple of trips we were glad to have the pistols. Once in AZ just a hop skip and jump from the Mexican border we were camping in a rather remote campground when a mag light flashing on a hard chromed 45 at "ready pistol" helped 4 non english speaking people who were extremly loud, dirty, stinky, aggresive and scary to make a hasty retreat.
We always avoid Denver when possible and always when having firearms in the truck.
On a couple of trips we were glad to have the pistols. Once in AZ just a hop skip and jump from the Mexican border we were camping in a rather remote campground when a mag light flashing on a hard chromed 45 at "ready pistol" helped 4 non english speaking people who were extremly loud, dirty, stinky, aggresive and scary to make a hasty retreat.
We always avoid Denver when possible and always when having firearms in the truck.
Good Evening Kathryn-
There was a great thread on this very topic the other week. Double-click on the URL below for lots of feedback on this subject:
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=24985
Welcome to TFL
Regards,
~ Blue Jays ~
There was a great thread on this very topic the other week. Double-click on the URL below for lots of feedback on this subject:
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=24985
Welcome to TFL
Regards,
~ Blue Jays ~
Jeff Thomas
New member
Kathryn, welcome to TFL. Check out Mothers Arms - http://www.mothersarms.org .
Consider buying the 'Traveler's Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States' - see http://www.gunlaws.com/order.htm .
And / or, call Alan at 800/707-4020 to see if he has any other books that will help.
In general, have some idea of the laws for the states you will be traversing. And, there is a federal law (name escapes me) that gives you some cover if the firearm is legal in your home state, and legal at your final destination.
The law problem with various cities and towns is why we have fights over 'preemption'. People like you (and everyone else) shouldn't be made into criminals because we want to defend ourselves. But, we can't know all of the various ordinances every municipality might enact regarding firearms.
In essence, do your best to obey the law, keep a low profile, and keep your protection handy but unobtrusive. No one should know you have it unless it becomes necessary to use it. And then, no matter what the law, if the choice is death or legal hassles, at least you'll be able to make the smart choice.
Good luck, and enjoy your trip.
Regards from AZ
Consider buying the 'Traveler's Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States' - see http://www.gunlaws.com/order.htm .
And / or, call Alan at 800/707-4020 to see if he has any other books that will help.
In general, have some idea of the laws for the states you will be traversing. And, there is a federal law (name escapes me) that gives you some cover if the firearm is legal in your home state, and legal at your final destination.
The law problem with various cities and towns is why we have fights over 'preemption'. People like you (and everyone else) shouldn't be made into criminals because we want to defend ourselves. But, we can't know all of the various ordinances every municipality might enact regarding firearms.
In essence, do your best to obey the law, keep a low profile, and keep your protection handy but unobtrusive. No one should know you have it unless it becomes necessary to use it. And then, no matter what the law, if the choice is death or legal hassles, at least you'll be able to make the smart choice.
Good luck, and enjoy your trip.
Regards from AZ
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Welcome Kathryn,
Everyone here knows my story. My best friend and school room-mate was invited to vacation in Key West with his new wife's family. He and his wife decided to drive. He also decided to leave his pistol at home because they would be crossing state lines. (At that time there were no carry laws.) Right outside Jonesboro, Georiga a drunk who was looking for trouble forced my friend's car to the side of the road. My friend tried to talk to the man. My friend's widow told me the man quickly pulled out a hunting knife and slit my friend's throat and then sped off in his truck.
Nobody can tell you what to do, however I never travel without a firearm. My wife just passed the CCW course, and now we'll both be armed.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
Everyone here knows my story. My best friend and school room-mate was invited to vacation in Key West with his new wife's family. He and his wife decided to drive. He also decided to leave his pistol at home because they would be crossing state lines. (At that time there were no carry laws.) Right outside Jonesboro, Georiga a drunk who was looking for trouble forced my friend's car to the side of the road. My friend tried to talk to the man. My friend's widow told me the man quickly pulled out a hunting knife and slit my friend's throat and then sped off in his truck.
Nobody can tell you what to do, however I never travel without a firearm. My wife just passed the CCW course, and now we'll both be armed.
Will
------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
hoosierboy
New member
if its locked in the trunk in a locked container, as far as I know you don't have to unlock it and show it to the leo unless they have a search warrant. If they ask you whats in it just tell them legal private property.
carry it with you at all times!! screw denver. unless you are doing something out of the ordinary or in a high crime area and do not blend into the locale (hows that for pc) chances are very slim that the denver pd will do a vehicle search. who have you contacted about a ccw in arvada? i personally know alot of woman in the metro area that carry w/out ccw. lets see female alone carrying a handgun for personnal protection miles from any sort of help. NO BRAINER. going west from arvada you do not go thru dumpver. going east the hwy patrol is only concerned with speeders and no seat belt wearers.
Hoosierboy has actually hit upon a very good way to have a firearm close to you in government locales that are hostile to firearms. Although you may not be able to have the firearm immediately available, at least you have one available close-by in the event of an emergency.
A sturdy HARD case, that locks with a combination type lock, sitting on the seat next to you can be open/closed very quickly. In very hostile locales, the locked trunk provides an additional barrier for “fishing expeditions”. Never, I repeat, NEVER negate your Fourth Amendment rights to search and seizure. (Use a pistol rug or heavy towel to cushion the firearm in the case, in the event the container is shook or “examined”.)
Legally, no one can force you to open a locked container without your consent or a valid search warrant, indicating exactly what is to be seized. If asked what is in the case, you may simply state “legal private property” or you may chose not to answer questions at all.
This approach may make certain people unhappy with you, so be prepared for the long haul.
Any “evidence” seized improperly, and without your consent, will be ruled inadmissible in a court of law.
Good luck!
A sturdy HARD case, that locks with a combination type lock, sitting on the seat next to you can be open/closed very quickly. In very hostile locales, the locked trunk provides an additional barrier for “fishing expeditions”. Never, I repeat, NEVER negate your Fourth Amendment rights to search and seizure. (Use a pistol rug or heavy towel to cushion the firearm in the case, in the event the container is shook or “examined”.)
Legally, no one can force you to open a locked container without your consent or a valid search warrant, indicating exactly what is to be seized. If asked what is in the case, you may simply state “legal private property” or you may chose not to answer questions at all.
This approach may make certain people unhappy with you, so be prepared for the long haul.
Any “evidence” seized improperly, and without your consent, will be ruled inadmissible in a court of law.
Good luck!
Thanks all, for the welcome and the advice!
I'll order the book and check the links. I've read The Police and You already. You bet I won't consent to a search! It was a wonder to me that anyone would, so a friend recommended the book so I could learn their tactics of persuasion.
Personally, a car trip with kids is a very unlikely vision for a police officer to want to investigate...
My favorite handgun doesn't have a container. I usually put it in a fanny pack holster, but could easily put it in a brief case beside me that has a joke of a lock... or get a nice case for it.
Thanks again! Appreciate the advice!
[This message has been edited by Kathryn (edited February 17, 2000).]
I'll order the book and check the links. I've read The Police and You already. You bet I won't consent to a search! It was a wonder to me that anyone would, so a friend recommended the book so I could learn their tactics of persuasion.
Personally, a car trip with kids is a very unlikely vision for a police officer to want to investigate...
My favorite handgun doesn't have a container. I usually put it in a fanny pack holster, but could easily put it in a brief case beside me that has a joke of a lock... or get a nice case for it.
Thanks again! Appreciate the advice!
[This message has been edited by Kathryn (edited February 17, 2000).]