In case of vehicle break-in or theft, who do you report to?

[jaydub]

I love this site and forum, guys. I stumbled across it yesterday looking for travel info since we are about to take a family road trip 2000 miles, round-trip.

I plan on bringing my S&W M&P 9c with me, loaded in the under-seat glove box and will be returning with an inherited rifle, which we will stow under all our stuff behind the back seat of our SUV. I'm wondering who needs to know the guns and serial numbers in the event of a theft of either the vehicle or firearms in case they are used in a crime afterwards. My state LE, the state or municipality I'm in, both? The shop where my FFL shop where I picked up my S&W? I'm sure the rifle isn't registered anywhere - it's a very old farm .22.

We travel at night because we have a pre-K kid and it's just easier if he sleeps, so nighttime security got to be a concern the last two times we made this trip. Any insights or links (I've done lots of looking and just didn't see this answered) would be much appreciated. No rush - we don't leave until next month.

 

[wolf_fire]

If someone during your trip steals your firearms, then report it to the police officer who comes to take the report.

I'm assuming you have a FL concealed carry permit? If so, then these states are the only ones that don't honor it: California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin. You should be able to travel most places without a worry with your pistol. As far as the rifle... bring a rifle case, bring a lock, and lock the case up as well. Hide the case under items that most people wouldn't break into a car to steal (blankets, clothes, etc.). The pistol should be on you when you check into hotels, etc. I personally like motels, because I can just walk into the room and stow the rifle right there without people realizing I have a rifle. I don't like to advertise that. When stopping at a restaurant, get a window seat to keep an eye on your vehicle. I do this every time I'm traveling and most times when I'm not. Some call me paranoid, I call it being aware. These suggestions should eliminate the chances of having your car broken into for your firearms.

The reason why you don't see the answer to who do you report to is because your firearms aren't registered. Therefore, when the police come to take the report let them know the description of the firearms, their serial numbers and anything else they ask. They'll take the report, most likely they won't find the guy, and then you hope that your insurance will cover it.

 

[jaydub]

Thanks for the rifle tips, for sure. I can lock it in the spare tire compartment instead of with the luggage. I hadn't even thought about a case.

I'm set to get my permit in the next couple of weeks, but just read they are taking 60-90 days in FL to send the permits even with the expedited method, so I'll simply be bringing them to fire on the farm and having the 9mm in the glove box under the passenger seat and bringing them into our room in its box and lock. At least FL law says it must be inaccessible while driving, which includes a holster, glovebox, or unloaded. Still need to look up GA, TN, KY, & OH to complete the trip's research on the handgun in the car policies.

It's clear I have more statutes to look up. :dirol:

 

[jcreek]

When stopping at a restaurant, get a window seat to keep an eye on your vehicle. I do this every time I'm traveling and most times when I'm not. Some call me paranoid, I call it being aware.

Im kinda the same way. I won't sit in public unless my back is to a wall. I don't have to worry about somebody coming up behind me that way. Some call it PTSD, I call it being aware.

 

[farsidefan1]

I'm a bit confused by where the 9 mm is traveling. Are you planning on under the passenger seat or in the glove box? Or do you have a lock box which you carry the handgun in that fits under the passenger seat? I'm not aware of any vehicle with the glove box under the passenger seat.

Do you have a ccw permit from any state? If not I see a multitude of difficulties ahead. If you get pulled over and the cop sees your gun when you reach for license and registration you might keep track of what happens and try to sell it to the national lampoon movie folks. It will have great comedic value to everyone else but you and yours.

This trip would be a lot easier if you wait for your Florida permit. Have you taken the course and started the process?

 

[wolf_fire]

I'm glad you mentioned the states you are traveling through.
GA: Non-permittees may have a loaded handgun in your vehicle while driving. You may only carry your handgun on foot if it is unloaded. Long guns may be carried loaded or unloaded in or out of the vehicle. If out of the vehicle the loaded long gun must remain in the open and fully exposed view.
TN: Non-permittees may not have a loaded handgun in the vehicle. The handgun may be in plain view, or secured in commercial gun case. Glove compartment or console is not allowed. Rifles must be unloaded in the vehicle and separate from ammunition.
KY: non-permittees may carry a loaded handgun as long as it is in plain view. Rifles may be carried loaded and in plain view, just not concealed on their person (serious, a rifle concealed on your person while driving??)
OH: non-permittees may carry an unloaded handgun in plain view or secured in a gun case or the trunk. A non-permittee may also carry openly on foot in most unrestricted areas. All rifles must be unloaded and secured in gun cases.

These "rules" are overviews as I have read them in the Traveler's Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States and should not be considered "law". Also, this book is the 2011 edition, therefore laws may have changed.

Take from this what you will... If I was traveling through these states, I'd be ever mindful which states allowed me a loaded handgun, and which don't. Look up the laws yourself.

In short, I would get myself a rifle case, since you will need it in OH and I'd be very careful where and when I carried my loaded handgun. If you can, avoid this trip until your FL permit comes in because every one of those states recognizes your FL permit to carry your handgun concealed.

 

[jaydub]

We were mainly taking it to the farm to get practice without range fees. My grandparents have a large property with hunting grounds and target areas. By the looks of the laws, I think it's best to keep it in the case, locked and unloaded, and just use it on the farm.

farsidefan1, Our Kia Sorento has a lockable glove box under the passenger seat, much smaller than the ones in the old 90s Dodge Caravans. It's big enough for a large pack of wipes or my M&P 9c. No, no permit yet. I've been to the range 3x with handguns and decided I'd rather get personal instruction from some very seasoned friends before I take the class. We'll be going to the range tomorrow, actually. Probably going to get my permit in November plus however long it takes to receive it. Holsters and a biometric vault will be on my birthday and Christmas lists.

 

[jcreek]

I'm a bit confused by where the 9 mm is traveling. Are you planning on under the passenger seat or in the glove box? Or do you have a lock box which you carry the handgun in that fits under the passenger seat? I'm not aware of any vehicle with the glove box under the passenger seat.

Several vehicles have small lockable drawer type glove boxes under one of the seats. My old Audi had one under the driver's seat.

 

[jaydub]

We will be staying in an LQ with outside doors, so I was looking at this case: Plano Double Case.

On a related note, does anyone have the Gunvault SVB500 speed vault? We've got a 4yo, so accessibility vs safety is first. Things are just too locked up now for home security.

 

[wolf_fire]

Plano makes decent cases if you want plastic. If I were traveling by plane (yes, I know you are not), I would want Aluminum.

That particular speed vault has received great reviews. A friend of mine has one and it is relatively fast. Not faster than having the firearm on your person, however. But when you are in bed, having that by your bedside would be a great thing to keep a little one that couldn't sleep at bay.

 

[Bigcarlover]

As you are realizing, there are different laws in each state, especially when it comes to whether or not you have a carry permit. Make sure you research all the ones you will or may (if there's a chance you might detour your route) pass through.

Not only may the various laws determine where you keep it, but it's condition. Some states actually require it visible, not hidden from view. Some it can be unlocked but only in a certain location(s). Some required it to be locked. Some require it to be unloaded. Some, illegal no matter what you do. Also make sure about whether or not you are required to inform an officer if you are stopped.

Unfortunately, if you get it wrong you could end up with a misdemeanor or in some places, even a felony. Jail time, fines, and possibly kiss the permit good-bye forever.

Jot down the serial numbers and keep them in a safe place, should you need to report them. If you have a picture-capable mobile phone, you could take a couple clear shots of the overall gun and it's serial numbers.