It finally came!

N

njlungbuster

Member
As a resident of NJ(New Jermany), I am not allowed to protect myself or anyone else while outside of my home. As a freedom loving American I chose to go the route of a Utah non-resident CFP so I can carry when I cross the Delaware river into free America and/or visit 31 other states. So yesterday my permit arrived at my house. I'd be lying if I said i'm not a little nervous about how I'd handle an encounter with someone else. I'm not at all worried about using my firearm in self defense. I'm more worried about the hassle from law enforcement or someone like that. Did anyone else feel this way when they first started carrying?

Sent via carrier pigeon
 
Yes, I'm sure most of us did when we first started carrying. However, now it's like my wallet. I feel naked when I don't have it. You'll get used to it.

You are more aware that you are carrying than anyone else is.
 
Congratulations. As wolf_fire said, I'm sure many of us felt a little nervous at first but you get used to it and it becomes part of your everyday items when leaving the house such as wallet, keys, knife, sunglasses, etc.
 
New Jermany... love it..

I never felt worried about law enforcement. Only part I was ever worried about is some thug seeing it and grabbing for it, until 1 day I was pulled over. I immediately told the cop I had a gun, he asked where it was and I told him "under my seat". This was one of the few days I did not actually have it on my person while driving. Meanwhile this cop had NO reason what so ever to pull me over. Just because I was driving a semi new 2004 mustang and was visiting an aunt in the projects (hence the reason for having my gun on me). I never met a cop so rude and ignorant in my life. After I was free to leave I told the cop I know at least 1 cop now that I would not back up if I was ever there again.
 
Unless you're in a Must Inform state, keep your mouth shut. Go about the business of the traffic stop. If asked, answer honestly and politely, indicating that you have a lawful permit to carry and offer to produce the permit. Let the LEO know where the permit is, as well as your weapon, then ask him how he would like to proceed while your hands are in plain sight until he/she knows where you are reaching and for what...permit or weapon.

I know you stated that you'd be traveling to other states, so make sure you are familiar with the laws of that state and whether you must inform.

As for the LEO being an a$$, you just don't know what kind of officer you're going to get. That's why..... Do not offer up your weapon, nor consent to a search of your vehicle without probable cause of illegal activity. The mere fact that you have a legal weapon is not probable cause. Fishing expeditions are NOT allowed!

As for the original question, everyone probably has had a little apprehension the first time out, mostly because you are acutely aware of the responsibility you have just taken on. But as many have said, it's just natural now.
 
Good stuff guys. Thanks for the advice. I'm honestly not worried about having to use it, I'm more worried about some over the top cop locking me up for no reason at all and having to go through all the crap that would follow. Maybe it's just more because I'm from a state where chips don't run into people that carry so I'm over thinking it. Maybe free states are really free lol.

Sent via carrier pigeon
 
y9agypes.jpg


Sent via carrier pigeon
 
Let me ask you this. For those of you that travel through another state that your permit is NOT valid in. Obviously you would have to store the firearm as per federal regulations. That being said, as I understand it, the gun has to be separate from the ammo. That being said, do I literally have to take every round out of the mags and put it back in the box? Then reload the mags when I cross back into a state in which I can carry? If so, where the hell can I do that discreetly? Lol what do y'all do?

Sent via carrier pigeon
 
njlungbuster said:
Let me ask you this. For those of you that travel through another state that your permit is NOT valid in. Obviously you would have to store the firearm as per federal regulations. That being said, as I understand it, the gun has to be separate from the ammo. That being said, do I literally have to take every round out of the mags and put it back in the box? Then reload the mags when I cross back into a state in which I can carry? If so, where the hell can I do that discreetly? Lol what do y'all do?

Sent via carrier pigeon
Click to expand...

First and foremost, read the Federal regulations on it: 18 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms | LII / Legal Information Institute

Secondly, some states are more lenient than others and you might not have to go to all that trouble. My suggestion is to read up on the state's laws that you plan on traveling through and see if they offer a less restrictive mode of traveling. Generally if you go to Link Removed then click the state you need, they will reference certain handgun laws for that state. Use those citations as a link to find the specific laws you are looking for.

Thirdly, while in the state I'm allowed to carry in but before going into the state I'm not, remove the firearm/ammunition while in the car. Put them in their discreet cases. Get out of the car, put the cases in the trunk. Drive away.
 
njlungbuster said:
Let me ask you this. For those of you that travel through another state that your permit is NOT valid in. Obviously you would have to store the firearm as per federal regulations. That being said, as I understand it, the gun has to be separate from the ammo. That being said, do I literally have to take every round out of the mags and put it back in the box? Then reload the mags when I cross back into a state in which I can carry? If so, where the hell can I do that discreetly? Lol what do y'all do?

Sent via carrier pigeon
Click to expand...

Daws724 said:
Yes. Ammo can not be in the magazines.
Click to expand...

Federal law does not required the ammunition to be separated from the gun, nor for ammunition to be unloaded from the magazines. Per Federal law, loaded magazines in the same locked compartment or case with the gun is legal - so long as the gun itself is unloaded. And that is only required if you are using the Federal law to transport a gun through a state that has more restrictive state laws. Some states allow you to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a recognized permit.

I would like to see a citation to law that backs up Daws724 claim - it must be a state law, because it is not Federal.
 
NavyLCDR said:
Federal law does not required the ammunition to be separated from the gun, nor for ammunition to be unloaded from the magazines. Per Federal law, loaded magazines in the same locked compartment or case with the gun is legal - so long as the gun itself is unloaded. And that is only required if you are using the Federal law to transport a gun through a state that has more restrictive state laws. Some states allow you to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a recognized permit.

I would like to see a citation to law that backs up Daws724 claim - it must be a state law, because it is not Federal.
Click to expand...

Well I've found this since I started researching. This happens to be for Virginia and was taken directly from www.handgunlaw.us

"What Does VA Consider A Loaded Firearm? 4VAC15-40-60. Hunting With Dogs or Possession of Weapons in Certain Locations During Closed Season. H. Meaning of "possession" of bow, crossbow, or firearm and definition of "loaded crossbow" and "loaded firearm." For the purpose of this section, the word "possession" shall include, but not be limited to, having any bow, crossbow, or firearm in or on one's person, vehicle or conveyance. For the purpose of this section, a "loaded firearm" shall be defined as a firearm in which ammunition is chambered or loaded in the magazine or clip when such magazine or clip is engaged or partially engaged in a firearm."

So going by this last sentence, if I were NOT valid in Virginia and I was just traveling through, I could have the gun and the loaded magazines in the trunk as long as they're not touching each other. That's what I gather from the law.

But I've been wrong before and this may only obtain to hunting?
Sent via carrier pigeon
 
This is for PA and also from www.handgunlaw.us

"What PA Considers A Loaded Firearm 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6102 Definitions "Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, the nondetachable magazine or, in the case of a revolver, any of the chambers of the cylinder contain ammunition capable of being fired. In the case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable magazine, the term shall mean a magazine suitable for use in said firearm which magazine contains such ammunition and has been inserted in the firearm or is in the same container or, where the container has multiple compartments, the same compartment thereof as the firearm. If the magazine is inserted into a pouch, holder, holster or other protective device that provides for a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition, then the pouch, holder, holster or other protective device shall be deemed to be a separate compartment."

So for PA as long as the magazine is separate from the gun by means of a container, it's also ok for it to be loaded.

Sent via carrier pigeon
 
I am surprised that nobody has suggested that the OP do a wally walk, it is a surefire way to get over the yips about carrying concealed.
 
njlungbuster said:
And that is?

Sent via carrier pigeon
Click to expand...

take a ride over to easton PA and go to the
Walmart Supercenter on Easton Nazareth Hwy

then get your gun out of the locked box in your trunk and arm up, then just walk around the store for awhile, you'll find than nobody will notice that you are carrying. It will go a long way to making you more comfortable about carrying concealed
 
apvbguy said:
take a ride over to easton PA and go to the
Walmart Supercenter on Easton Nazareth Hwy

then get your gun out of the locked box in your trunk and arm up, then just walk around the store for awhile, you'll find than nobody will notice that you are carrying. It will go a long way to making you more comfortable about carrying concealed
Click to expand...

I should have guessed it has something to do with a Walmart lol

Sent via carrier pigeon
 
njlungbuster said:
Let me ask you this. For those of you that travel through another state that your permit is NOT valid in. Obviously you would have to store the firearm as per federal regulations. That being said, as I understand it, the gun has to be separate from the ammo. That being said, do I literally have to take every round out of the mags and put it back in the box? Then reload the mags when I cross back into a state in which I can carry? If so, where the hell can I do that discreetly? Lol what do y'all do?

Sent via carrier pigeon
Click to expand...

I don't leave my guns in the car often at all, but when we are traveling and have to meet FOPA requirements, an inexpensive option is to use NanoVaults. I use the combo model. I can unload and stow our empty guns in one and the ammo in the other. I don't bother putting the ammo back in their original boxes... a ziplock bag works just fine for this purpose.

The NanoVaults are small enough that you can keep them in the passenger compartment, unload and stow your guns and ammo in the privacy of the car. You can simply carry them to the trunk, where the cable can be attached to the frame (in my case, to the back seat frame). I leave the cable attached inside the trunk, then once I'm ready, I carry the boxes to the trunk. Nobody knows what is inside and they are simply small black boxes approximately the size of a hardcover book.

We do the same thing when we travel and pass through states who do not honor our permits. They're small enough to throw into a travel bag or suitcase from the car into a hotel, all very discretely.

While they are not what I would consider "high security", but prevent "smash and grab" theft and meet FOPA requirements. All at about $50-$60 bucks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 60 (members: 0, guests: 60)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
49,523
Messages
610,662
Members
74,992
Latest member
RedDotArmsTraining

Share this page

Back
Top