Transporting Guns across State Lines

inNOTof · March 06, 2018, 10:05:33 PM

Heya, Boys! It has been a while since I have been on. Hope everyone has been okay!

I'll get straight to the point. My son's grandfather (on the other side) passed away back in early January. He left an "empire" that he built over his lifetime. Included in that empire he left roughly 70 guns and no will, yes NO WILL. The estate has gone thru probate and all worked out evenly. My son, my daughter and the only surviving son (their uncle) will split the 70 guns, which would leave my son 25 or so. These are split between pistols, revolvers, long guns and whatever else.

My question is, later this month, I will be flying down to Pensacola to drive back to Pennsylvania with my son. He interviewed with my company and was offered a position so he will be moving to PA and living with me until he gets on his feet. Anyway, my question, can anyone here help me take the responsible steps to transporting these guns across 7 State lines? I have no idea even where to start to make sure we do this by the law. I mean do I have to contact each State that we will go through and find out each individual law for that State? None of the guns are registered to him because they were his grandfathers but as part of the inheritance they are passed down to him now.

Any suggestions/advice/thoughts would be a great starting point no matter how small you may think they are cuz honestly I am totally lost here. Feel free to ask any questions that might help you give me advice.

Thanks UB'ers!

Princeton_Man · March 07, 2018, 05:36:32 AM

I think as long as they are not loaded and in cases/boxes or otherwise packed up, it should be fine.

Check this out. https://www.nraila.org/articles/20140630/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

Oldfart9999 · March 07, 2018, 06:17:04 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on March 07, 2018, 05:36:32 AM
I think as long as they are not loaded and in cases/boxes or otherwise packed up, it should be fine.

Check this out. https://www.nraila.org/articles/20140630/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation

I would think that this all you need to do but do it all, would even go so far as to break down any weapon you have and don't lock ammo with a weapon but lock it in a separate container. If you aren't asked about them don't volunteer the info.
Rodney

SteelHorseCowboy · March 07, 2018, 07:30:47 AM

That link pretty much nailed it.

But one of the safest, most fool proof, CYA methods for transporting that many guns across that many state lines...

Take them to an FFL dealer and ask for help. They may be able to guide you through the steps of shipping them home, or even do it for you. It would be expensive though, for that many guns, probably between $200 and possibly up to $1,000, give or take, depends on the total weight for freight charges, how much the dealer charges (or even if they do), etc, etc.
And yes, you can ship guns you already own to yourself at your home. Just can't buy (most) guns and have them shipped home prior to taking ownership. BUT, if you end up having to ship them to another dealer near your home, you're looking at the possibility of a $20-$50 transfer fee per each gun.
But going this route guarantees you're staying on the right side of the law and taking no risks.

What I would be worried about is this:
Transporting a couple guns, no biggie. I normally roll with at least two in the car, one on me, another one secured nearby, and usually at least one passenger is armed.
But around 25 guns? If you get stopped in some über-lib jurisdiction, I can almost guarantee you they're going to try to slap you with trafficking charges. Sounds like you have a good defense to fight such a charge, but that's a lotta money, time, and headache. And probably a challenge to get your vehicle back too.

Wizard · March 07, 2018, 08:00:12 AM

My best friend had this problem. He lived in Illinois, which has exceptionally strict gun laws. The hardest part is proving ownership of the guns. A lawyer can handle that for you. Even in Illinois, you can carry if them if their final destination is outside Illinois. They have to be carried in an area not easily accessible to the occupants of the car. They must be cased separately in a lockable case. Ammunition can't be in the same case as the gun.

Wizard

Polaris425 · March 07, 2018, 08:03:25 AM

We did it years ago, but we only crossed 1 state, from Alabama to Mississippi. And the did it again back to Alabama.

If it were me, as long as I had the proper paperwork from the lawyer/estate showing ownership, I would just pack them safely (wrap in blankets, whatever you can to protect them) and roll on. Make sure to obey ALL traffic laws, so you don't get pulled over. Unless you went through a road block and they wanted to search your car (which they would have to have probable cause to do) who's gonna know they are even in there?

Except for all of us :D

inNOTof · March 07, 2018, 01:52:21 PM

Thanks Guys. I don't know maybe we should ship them as SHC mentions. We will be traveling in a Jeep Wrangler (small). And good point, obey ALL traffic laws which was already on my mind. I was really worried about the unforeseen traffic accident, then the cops are called and "HOLY COW, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THESE GUNS!!"...I can see it now, what a mess that would be.

Anyway, thanks for the advice/suggestions. I think I'm going to ship them.

Princeton_Man · March 07, 2018, 06:20:40 PM

Quote from: inNOTof on March 07, 2018, 01:52:21 PM
Thanks Guys. I don't know maybe we should ship them as SHC mentions. We will be traveling in a Jeep Wrangler (small). And good point, obey ALL traffic laws which was already on my mind. I was really worried about the unforeseen traffic accident, then the cops are called and "HOLY COW, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH ALL THESE GUNS!!"...I can see it now, what a mess that would be.

Anyway, thanks for the advice/suggestions. I think I'm going to ship them.

I think you'll be just fine. My guns are never in any better hands than my own.

When you ship through FFLs, you are transferring ownership. When you go to pick them up, you are subject to all of your states for transfers. Just not something I'd care to do myself. I'd rent a u-hall and tow the jeep.

One thing I would recommend as you pack them up, take a picture and record the serial number of each one. That helps identify them, can be used for insurance purposes, and should any of them ever be stolen, it can help recover them as well.

inNOTof · March 08, 2018, 12:38:40 PM

Thanks again!