Transporting Handgun in NJ

[navy man]

I have CCW permits for FL,NH and Maine. Obviously I am concerned not to get
arrested just getting to any state from NJ that honors my CCW permits. I am aware of the NJ laws that its ok going to and from ranges,gunsmiths. What about driving from NJ across to PA, De, etc. or going to Newark Airport. I spoke with the State Police Firearms Div in Trenton and also with the Port Authority Police in NJ. The SP said I'm ok driving under USCA 18 making sure all is cased and locked in trunk. PAP said to just follow the individual air line regs. Has anyone done this??? Would like what they said confirmed by others who have
actually done it. Driving and flying from Newark. Does FOPA work??

 

[Ektarr]

Cased and Locked, -AND- locked in the trunk, seperate from the ammunition. Do I need to mention UNloaded? These precautions should get you into PA without any problems, or anywhere else -out- of New Jersey. Your carry permits won't carry any value here.

I haven't flown with any firearms. I'd like to - heading for AZ and NV next month - but I'd be really, really cautious about even approaching Newark Airport with firearms. Good Luck!

 

[navy man]

Thanks for the input, it does support what I thought about car travel, do you think it would also apply from NJ into NY state then into Vermont, NH and Maine
where I also have CCW Permits. (Not NY state) I still would like to have someone share their experience with air travel from NWK. If I hear anything on another forum I will share it here.

 

[Ektarr]

I dunno...New York's a funny call. We have property in New York and there's plenty of room to shoot there. I have taken guns up there, both for carry and for fun (on the property!), but I'm anxious about transporting through the State. Maybe one of the New York guys can shed better llight on this.

As for carrying, generally...gun, knife, bludgeon, whetever...I can only reiterate what I've said in another forum on the matter...

...I'm of the opinion that the only reason a cop will pick you out to pick on is if he has his attention drawn to you...a condition over which you have the best control. Drive sanely, but not like a priest. Don't dress or act like an a'hole. Keep your mouth shut and be polite when you DO have to interact with people and, by and large, you'll just blend in.

 

[Cerick]

Transporting without Firearms ID card.

I am just about to move back to NJ from FL. When I turned 21 down here Bought a XD .45 pistol. When I go back am I going to be allowed to take my gun to the range without having an ID card. Also I bought the gun legally at my local gun shop in FL and also have a FL CCW permit.

 

[Ektarr]

Unless something's changed while I was asleep, there's no obligation to register a firearm bought legally elsewhere then brought into the State. You should also be able to take it to a range (same transport rules apply as above) but your FL CCW has no vale here. Neither does mine. But check real laws...I'm no Authority.

 

[Dewhitewolf]

I flew out of Newark airport with a declared handgun. Cased, locked, and unloaded, in full compliance with TSA regulations and the airline's requirements. I was not asked to show proof of ownership or registration, nor was I asked for my firearms ID card (not within the scope of TSA anyway).

I flew out, and flew back, with no problems. Just make sure you declare your firearm in your checked luggage to the airline counter clerk. They'll give you a form to sign, stating that the firearm has been declared and that it is not loaded.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not required to label any luggage as containing firearms. In fact, it is illegal, as per the FAA, to do so.

 

[tattedupboy]

I am just about to move back to NJ from FL. When I turned 21 down here Bought a XD .45 pistol. When I go back am I going to be allowed to take my gun to the range without having an ID card. Also I bought the gun legally at my local gun shop in FL and also have a FL CCW permit.

With all due respect, are you crazy? Why in the world you you move away from the Great state of Florida and back to this godforsaken People's Republic?

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

There have been several instances of non-residents passing through NJ and NY and getting arrested. Link Removed

I tell my students do not go through a State other than ground transportation (in your own or rented vehicle) through a State that requires an ID, license or permit for simple posession (i.e. IL, MA, NJ and NY(C)). There have been instances where LEOs from these States go out of their way stop and harass motorists without of State plates, particular plates issues by States that are 2A (IL LEOs stopping motorists from IN, KY or MO, NJ/NY LEOs stopping motorists with NH, PA or VT plates).

Former AG Gonzales has stated the FOPA does apply to air travel. The NJ/NY port authority has dropped the charges in the case mentioned above.

 

[Dewhitewolf]

FOPA protects you during interstate travel if
--the firearms are transported unloaded, cased, and inaccessible to the passenger compartment;
--the firearms are legal to possess in the state of origin;
--the firearms are legal to possess in the state of destination;
--you make no substantial stops in travel, except for fuel or emergency repairs (stopping to visit with friends or relatives may put you at risk)

As far as New Jersey, a recent NJ Supreme Court Case, State v. Carty, the court held that police cannot request to search your vehicle for an ordinary traffic stop; the officer must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is being, or about to be, or has been committed. Appearing "nervous" or "unsettling" is not grounds for suspicion of criminal activity. Even though firearms were not an issue in the case, it is still of interest to us because police cannot pull us over and search our vehicles.

Link Removed

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

FOPA protects you during interstate travel if
--the firearms are transported unloaded, cased, and inaccessible to the passenger compartment;
--the firearms are legal to possess in the state of origin;
--the firearms are legal to possess in the state of destination;
--you make no substantial stops in travel, except for fuel or emergency repairs (stopping to visit with friends or relatives may put you at risk)

As far as New Jersey, a recent NJ Supreme Court Case, State v. Carty, the court held that police cannot request to search your vehicle for an ordinary traffic stop; the officer must have reasonable suspicion that a crime is being, or about to be, or has been committed. Appearing "nervous" or "unsettling" is not grounds for suspicion of criminal activity. Even though firearms were not an issue in the case, it is still of interest to us because police cannot pull us over and search our vehicles.

Link Removed

I noticed that you're from NJ. Did the person you checked your bags with, NJ port authority or TSA as for your NJ FID card issued by NJSP? We already have a well known case where a Utahn was illegally arrested for checking his firearm without a NJ FID card.

 

[Dewhitewolf]

I was not asked to present FID or purchase permit, or anything else. That is not within the scope of the TSA anyway. Port Authority was not involved (as they shouldn't be).

The incident regarding Revell, the Utah traveller (a case which I followed from the first publication of it) was a result of an airline counter clerk who didn't know what to do, and thought that calling the police was what she was supposed to do. I had brought with me copies of both the TSA regulations as well as the airline's policies. The counter agent simply had me sign the declaration, took my bag, and escorted me to the TSA station and explained to the agents there. They ran my bag through the scanner (my pistol was in a locked case inside the bag). The agent gave me the thumbs up, and I went on my way to the gate. I was not even asked to open the case to present it to the TSA to prove that it was unloaded; the luggage scanner was able to prove that.

The process was even quicker flying back from Las Vegas to Newark. Again, I was not asked for any license or permit, nor was I asked to open the case. The only thing they asked was whether there was any ammunition in my bag (only to ensure that the firearm was not loaded). Again, the agent brought me to the TSA station, explained that I declared an unloaded firearm, and the agent put the bag on the scanner. No problems.

 

[S&WM&P40]

I am not from or live in NJ. So if i am not aloud to post in the NJ forums i am sorry and please delete. So are you saying that even with your NJ state permit you still can not drive with your loaded fire arm on you? Why is that? In NH All you need is your permit and you can carry in the car. As well as Vermont as they have no permit system at all.

 

[Dewhitewolf]

NJ requires residents to get a permit to purchase a handgun. A purchase permit is NOT a permit to carry.
That means that for every handgun you wish to purchase, you must apply to the police department for a separate permit for each gun.

Generally, handgun ownership is limited to keeping it at home, or transporting it to or from a shooting activity (range), gunsmith, or store. Even then, it must be transported unloaded, and either secured in the trunk or in a locked case if the car has no trunk.

A civilian is NOT allowed to carry a firearm in public without a NJ carry permit, which is only issued to private security personnel, retired law enforcement, and those who can demonstrate to a judge "compelling need."

We in NJ dream of a free society like that of NH or VT.

 

[S&WM&P40]

WOW i feel so sorry for you guys in NJ that just sucks. I did not know you had to get a permit to buy the gun and then another to carry. Did NJ break off from the US and i did not know it? Because it sounds like you guys live in a 3rd world country and not the good old USA. Sounds like NJ has taking a crap on the 2nd Admen to the point of going as far as they can to stop you from using your god giving right. But not as far as to make it so you have a case in court on the matter and that just sucks. I hate how people can sit there and say. If we take all the guns away from people or make it so hard that people will no longer want them. That the killings and crime will just up and stop. They miss the fact that people CALLED Criminals do not follow the laws and as such can still get guns. Leaving the rest of us to be Robbed,Murdered,Raped and so on by them and having no way to stop it. As i read some place on the net (it's the police departments job to step in after a crime has happened or during it) It's not there job to stop it from taking place as they can not be every where at one time. So by taking the guns away or by stopping you from carrying them they are really just making more work for them. On a side not There is a lot of room in NH and VT if any of y'all want to move up here.

 

[Dewhitewolf]

You don't know the half of it, how bad it is here in NJ:

--We are the first state to pass so-called Smart Gun Legislation, where once guns that can be personalized are commercially available, they will be the only handguns allowed to be sold in NJ (the Attorney General must report to the Governor every 6 months whether such guns have been invented and sold yet)

--we currently have a bill in the legislature requiring all handgun ammunition sold in the state to be "serialized,"--each round, box of rounds shall have serial numbers engraved that will be registered to the purchaser; it will become an offense to possess any non-serialized ammunition after a period of time after the bill passes

--we currently have a bill in the legislature that would limit gun purchases to one per month; it's bad enough that it takes forever for a purchase permit to be approved and issued, now we have yet another hurdle

--under current law, all handgun ammunition purchases must be recorded and the lists made available to police as to who bought what, how much, and for what cost

--current law forbids keeping a firearm in the car; transportation of firearms is limited to going to or from a range, gunsmith, hunting, or other shooting related activity. Unnecessary stops (such as stopping on the way home at a diner to have a meal with friends) puts you at risk of being in violation.

 

[S&WM&P40]

WOW Who runs your state Hitlers brother?? Whats next tracking devices implanted in your Butts? Wire taps on all gun owners phones/cell phones. No longer need a search warrant to search homes of people who have guns? Right put you in jail just for asking how to buy a gun? I mean God damn it's like they are trying to make it so the only people who have guns are police and drug dealers. At this rate all of NJ Citizens who follow the laws around guns will be doing just what the drug dealers doing. buying from the back of a van. LOL Remind me to start building a wall to keep all BS laws like that out. It looks like all the people who are anti gun run that state and Cut the balls of any one who gets in there way. It's the tax payers who pay there pay checks. Y'all should stand up and start a movement for your rights. If not this will start to happen all over YouTube - NRA: The Untold Story of Gun Confiscation After Katrina Here is also a vary good Video on why you should have that right. YouTube - The Truth About the Right to Carry

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

I was not asked to present FID or purchase permit, or anything else. That is not within the scope of the TSA anyway. Port Authority was not involved (as they shouldn't be).

The process was even quicker flying back from Las Vegas to Newark. Again, I was not asked for any license or permit, nor was I asked to open the case. The only thing they asked was whether there was any ammunition in my bag (only to ensure that the firearm was not loaded). Again, the agent brought me to the TSA station, explained that I declared an unloaded firearm, and the agent put the bag on the scanner. No problems.

We all know how it should be. However, we all know what IL, MA, NJ and NY(C) do and have done in the past. Considering NJ uses the Bill of Rights as State legislative, gubernatorial or judicial bird cage liner, I would not fly in or out of NJ or any other State that has an ID, license or permit for simple possession.

No need elaborate on the process at McCarran as I am a frequent traveler. I'm very familiar with the process.

 

[Dr. J.]

I have flown out of Newark with a firearm

I have flown out of Newark and checked a handgun and ammo with no problems on several flights. However, I have seen ticket agents who did not know the law or their own airline policies. For that reason I always do the following: 1) check airline and TSA web sites and print out firearms info to bring with me; 2) call ahead to airline to see if any policies have changed from the web site; 3) have slides locked open and no mags in wells to make checking easier, 4) say the following to the ticket agent: "I have an unloaded firearm to declare. Do you know how to do that?" That way you can avoid hassles and get someone who presumably knows what to do.

If you are fom out of state, I would also go to the NJ State Police web site page on transporting firearms in NJ Link Removed and bring a copy with you in case you get hassled.

I moved to PA five years ago and commute to Newark. Pa has much more sensible firearms laws.

 

[mrjam2jab]

Cased and Locked, -AND- locked in the trunk, seperate from the ammunition. Do I need to mention UNloaded? These precautions should get you into PA without any problems, or anywhere else -out- of New Jersey. Your carry permits won't carry any value here.

Sorry to bring back an old thread....but i just signed up and reading old stuff. Bold above...can you show where in statutes it says ammo must be separate from the firearm?

The Link Removed doesnt mention it...