Can I Travel with My Gun on a Road Trip?
As a gun enthusiast or a hunter, traveling with your firearm on a road trip can be a pressing concern. You’ve meticulously planned your route, arranged accommodations, and booked appointments, but you can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for your firearm during your journey. The regulations on transporting firearms vary widely between states, cities, and even countries, so it’s essential to brush up on the rules to avoid any legal trouble. This article aims to address this question and provide the most up-to-date guidance to ensure a safe and secure trip with your weapon.
What is Federally Regulated?
As a starting point, federal regulations have supremacy over state and local regulations. This is key to understanding what governs the transportation of firearms cross-state lines. Federal statutes, specifically 18 USC § 926A (the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act), and TSA rules (Transportation Security Administration) provide guidelines on transportation of firearms in checklists, vehicles, or both.
TSA Laws and Regulations
Prior to 9/11, the TSA didn’t specify rules for carrying weapons through airports or in airplanes, but the Homeland Security Act of 2001 included the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which resulted in the following mandate:
- Air Transportation Security Act of 2001: "Prohibition Against Carrying Loaded Firearm in Aircraft Cabins (49 USC 44805)"
This federal act regulates the transportation of guns inside aircraft cabins. So, if you travel via air, do not keep your gun loaded nor loose in your luggage. Use a secure firearm locking system and check it against with the airline for accepted modes of transportation. There are some exceptions regarding charter flights, commercial flying to Alaska, or going with a properly authorized carrier but these cases require official agreements and licenses.
Additionally, the TSA permits visitors or travelers to enter terminals with unloaded, inaccessible fire-arms, (except for active military serving duties) but keep loaded firearms and weapons strictly limited to authorized individuals working near the terminals, checkpoints or transportation areas. Check ahead when traveling, if traveling requires specific documents for air.
Road Tripping Without Air Travel
- Transportation of Firearms on Open Carrying
With current regulations, open carry gun laws differ state-wise as well as on traffic authorities. If carrying inside areas, check your relevant location’s open-carry **laws, permit fees for gun transportation and understand reciprocity agreements. Keep copies safe and ready, a guide to help gun enthusiast comprehend such laws.
For driving journeys, consider that as it’s legal for federal vehicles, highways and, where allowed, city ordinances should be considered while transportation: familiarizing and understanding state regulations specific guns transportation laws, some allowing concealed carrying for permits under certain circumstances, ensuring personal safety, respect neighboring restrictions.
Problems Related to Road Trips (Travel)
Car traveling will increase liability or risk in these four zones:
Car Traveling Across Fifteen Unstable States, Counties without Federal Guidelines Regulations Control
Some States such California, Texas, New York states forbid open carrying guns anywhere by law. States require or have special local authority and other non-official car permits necessary.Passing Federal Boundaries within the US, Check permits, as required if having Conceal, Carry Permits under each state, so make these Permit Transplants (founded)
- Visits abroad: International airspaces – check International Aircraft Requirements before departure,
Crossing international boundaries during visits, as you move towards your travel goals on highways.
General Car Security Tips
As car breaks down or other stops; keep Your Valued Firearms in Your Custody.
For each zone, check rules if keeping your weapons (especially outside your home), within secured storage containers (under or above) vehicle spaces . Consider gun-related information, your legal residence within the states for security regulations.
How Gun-Free Zones Impact Travelers
Some places and properties don’t allow gun. Take note that public premises under federal regulations might explicitly, strictly enforcing prohibitions against the concealability of weapons in transportation, carrying arms of any kind into locations:
Air Traffic
- Air Traffic at your destination airport.
Make proper identification, documentation for secure air travel. Gun rules regarding transportation differ.
