Vehicle Transport/Carry Question from PA to FL -- SC and MD?


PAJeeper

New member
Good morning.

I am traveling with my wife and small kids from PA to FL in a few months. I wanted to bring my pistol for self defense purposes on this long trip. It appears that the two states I would be traveling through that do not honor a PA concealed carry permit are Maryland and South Carolina. Looking at the information on Maryland's page on this site, it looks like it is not legal for me to have my handgun in my vehicle in any manner in this state. Is South Carolina the same? That is, since they don't honor my concealed carry permit, that means I can't transport my handgun in my vehicle in any manner (even in a case in the back, unloaded?)?

Thanks in advance.
 

You are only partially correct. We travel to and from NY and Florida regularly. Under FOPA, you may transport your firearms FROM anywhere you may legally possess it TO anywhere you may legally possess it, however, you must meet certain transport requirements. Look up FOPA Firearms Owners Protection Act.

First, when going through MD, make sure you have your weapons in a locked container either in the trunk or in the rear area of a SUV. While there is some disagreement on this and various other forums, I transport them unloaded, with ammo in a different locked container...why take the chance.

A good resource is Handgunlaws.us which gives a synopsis of state laws in a consistent format.

The state of Maryland uses license plate readers and cross reference plates with pistol permit records from states which cooperate. Obey all traffic laws and remember the phrase "What is the probable cause of criminal activity?" if they stop you. There have been instances and posts of out of state people being stopped for no other reason than they had pistol permits from other states...FL comes immediately to mind. It is also my understanding that the "stops" are most prevalent at the tunnels.

As for SC, you cannot carry concealed without a SC non-resident permit which requires you own land in SC, but check handgunlaws for car carry, which may or may not be allowable.

Finally, if you do stow per FOPA requirements, especially in socialist states like MD, NY, NJ... don't stop unless absolutely necessary for gas, then get to the next state to stop overnight, for dinner, etc.... I'm not sure about MD< but NY and NJ will arrest you regardless of whether or not you're in compliance with FOPA, then let it get sorted out in court.

Safe travel.
 
If you can legally own a handgun, you may legally transport it in your vehicle while travelling through South Carolina. It must however be in a glove compartment, console, trunk etc. The handgun may be loaded. South Carolina is fairly strict so you may want to research their statutes.
 
Here is the relevant section of the S.C. annotated code on the transport/carry of firearms.



SECTION 16-23-20. Unlawful carrying of handgun; exceptions.

It is unlawful for anyone to carry about the person any handgun, whether concealed or not, except as follows, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by law:

(1) regular, salaried law enforcement officers, and reserve police officers of a state agency, municipality, or county of the State, uncompensated Governor's constables, law enforcement officers of the federal government or other states when they are carrying out official duties while in this State, deputy enforcement officers of the Natural Resources Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources, and retired commissioned law enforcement officers employed as private detectives or private investigators;

(2) members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the National Guard, organized reserves, or the State Militia when on duty;

(3) members, or their invited guests, of organizations authorized by law to purchase or receive firearms from the United States or this State or regularly enrolled members, or their invited guests, of clubs organized for the purpose of target shooting or collecting modern and antique firearms while these members, or their invited guests, are at or going to or from their places of target practice or their shows and exhibits;

(4) licensed hunters or fishermen who are engaged in hunting or fishing or going to or from their places of hunting or fishing while in a vehicle or on foot;

(5) a person regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, repossessing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of this person, while possessing, using, or carrying a handgun in the usual or ordinary course of the business;

(6) guards authorized by law to possess handguns and engaged in protection of property of the United States or any agency of the United States;

(7) members of authorized military or civil organizations while parading or when going to and from the places of meeting of their respective organizations;

(8) a person in his home or upon his real property or a person who has the permission of the owner or the person in legal possession or the person in legal control of the home or real property;

(9) a person in a vehicle if the handgun is:

(a) secured in a closed glove compartment, closed console, closed trunk, or in a closed container secured by an integral fastener and transported in the luggage compartment of the vehicle; however, this item is not violated if the glove compartment, console, or trunk is opened in the presence of a law enforcement officer for the sole purpose of retrieving a driver's license, registration, or proof of insurance. If the person has been issued a concealed weapon permit pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23, then the person also may secure his weapon under a seat in a vehicle, or in any open or closed storage compartment within the vehicle's passenger compartment; or

(b) concealed on or about his person, and he has a valid concealed weapons permit pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23;

(10) a person carrying a handgun unloaded and in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his home or fixed place of business or while in the process of changing or moving one's residence or changing or moving one's fixed place of business;
 
are you trying to imply that when I drive through SC carrying concealed on my person with my FLA CWFL which is accepted in SC that I am actually in violation of SC law?
 
are you trying to imply that when I drive through SC carrying concealed on my person with my FLA CWFL which is accepted in SC that I am actually in violation of SC law?

I don't think he was implying anything. But, SC doesn't recognize PA permits; so the OP will have to keep his firearm in a glove box, console, safe, etc while he's in SC.

But, as long as you have a "Resident" permit for FL, you're fine apv...


-
 
Going through MD, travel according to FOPA. If in an SUV or vehicle with no trunk, either the ammo OR the firearm must be in a locked container. Notice it says OR, not and.

Never consent to a search of your vehicle either.

FOPA:
8 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms

Current through Pub. L. 113-234. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)


Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
 
When visiting relatives in NH I keep mine in a locked container in the way back considering it's a SUV, Print out a copy of FOPA
And schedule your drive so you go thru NY.NJ at night, also the fuel on the jersey turnpike it is the cheapest in those area states and you don't have to get off the highway and will get you to at least RI MA
 
Going thru Maryland you should not only have you gun in a locked container, you need to have the ammo separate from the gun, and no mag in the gun. If you have a locking tool box in the back use that for a "trunk".
I also suggest you take any kind of Pistol manufacturers decals, or NRA type decals off your vehicle. MD. cops have the ability to pop your tag number in their computers and can find if you have a CC permit from other states. That tells them you may be carrying in the vehicle and instigate a pull-over check.
 
cops have the ability to pop your tag number in their computers and can find if you have a CC permit from other states. That tells them you may be carrying in the vehicle and instigate a pull-over check.

I call BS.....

How do they handle residents who's states don't require a permit?
Are the cops going to run EVERY vehicle plate that has a permit system?
What about me? I'm in Vermont and we have no permits for carry...
Will the cops pull me over based on the firearms laws in Vermont?
I mean, as a Vermonter, that has Constitutional Carry, are the cops going to "pull me over" because I'm from Vermont?
A lot of people have guns here so wouldn't it be easier to just ban drivers from states that have a permit system?

Please.. Continue with your "scare tactics" for the newbees!

Not every state has a permit system so all you are doing is promoting "fear".
 
FOPA only requires the ammo and firearm be separate from YOU in the passenger compartment. There is no prohibition on the firearm and ammo being together. The exception is a vehicle with no trunk. Then either the ammo OR the firearm must be in a locked container.
 
I call BS.....

And you would be wrong on that one:
License Plate Reader Program - Standard Operating Procedure

^^^Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center^^^
Automatic License Plate Recognition Operations Center

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/maryland.pdf

Notice: Maryland has a unit called, “Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.” They have license plate reader cameras around the state that read license plates of vehicles. Some are connected to Criminal Background Check programs and Permit/License Holder lists from the different states that will supply them with that information. Do use caution when even driving through Maryland. They can know if you have a firearms permit/license without even stopping you. Other States most likely have a similar system.
 
And you would be wrong on that one:
License Plate Reader Program - Standard Operating Procedure

^^^Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center^^^
Automatic License Plate Recognition Operations Center

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/maryland.pdf

That still does not explain how any cop could even know if I was a gun owner.
No permit system in place so nothing but a 4473 in my state.
I live in Vermont! Nothing is registered and we don't have permits so once again, if IM traveling through and they run my plate, what friggin gun info would come up?
Nada.
If your state issues permits and or your pistols need to be associated with your permit, that's your problem.
As it stands, "Maryland" can blow me. The only conversation I would engage in would consist of...

"Am I being detained?"

"Am I free to go?"

"I will not submit to a search or questions without my lawyer present".

But since they have ZERO ways to know if I am a gun owner, your permission slip owners might want to be careful!
 
MD. cops have the ability to pop your tag number in their computers and can find if you have a CC permit from other states. That tells them you may be carrying in the vehicle and instigate a pull-over check.

is that so?

my FLA cwfl is not in any DMV database.

please explain how a MD cop will learn that I have a CWFL by running my plate through his system
 
And you would be wrong on that one:
License Plate Reader Program - Standard Operating Procedure

^^^Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center^^^
Automatic License Plate Recognition Operations Center

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/maryland.pdf

once again you are making inaccurate proclamations. A MD cop will never be able to determine if I am a cwfl holder by running my plates.
My FLA cwfl is issued by the FLA dept of agriculture, FLA decided that one way to thwart police abuse of CWFL holders was to keep the issuance and records out of law enforcement's hands. law enforcement must go through the FLA dept of ag. to access the cwfl database, it is not impossible to do but it is rarely done on any sort of road stop and it is rarely if ever done unless part of an investigation of a more serious crime.
 
once again you are making inaccurate proclamations.

What part of my "proclamation" was inaccurate? The portion that I quoted from handgunlaw.us appears to be completely accurate:

Notice: Maryland has a unit called, “Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.” They have license plate reader cameras around the state that read license plates of vehicles. Some are connected to Criminal Background Check programs and Permit/License Holder lists from the different states that will supply them with that information. Do use caution when even driving through Maryland. They can know if you have a firearms permit/license without even stopping you. Other States most likely have a similar system.

I never mentioned any specific state in my "proclamation." The portion quoted from handgunlaw.us was specific, "and Permit/License Holder lists from the different states that will supply them with that information."
 
What part of my "proclamation" was inaccurate? The portion that I quoted from handgunlaw.us appears to be completely accurate:



I never mentioned any specific state in my "proclamation." The portion quoted from handgunlaw.us was specific, "and Permit/License Holder lists from the different states that will supply them with that information."
right, and FLA does NOT provide any police agency DIRECT access to the Concealed weapons and firearms licence databases. so your statement that an MD cop using some computer technology could know that I am a CWFL holder isn't accurate. you should clarify the posts
 
Florida reports persons authorized to carry a firearm to the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), so that information is made available to other states.

At least that's what Florida told the Illinois State Police (ISP) in response to the ISP Firearm Services Bureau's "substantially similar" survey:

https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/similarsummary.pdf
 

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