Crossing State lines w/ my pistol

DoD1776

DoD1776

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So, late July I’m finally heading out to Montana after saying I was going “next year” for the past six years. I’ll be driving the whole way.

From what I’ve gathered, it’s federally legal to transport a firearm across state lines under FOPA, provided the gun is unloaded and not readily accessible. To play it safe, I plan on keeping it locked up with the ammunition stored separately.

Can anyone who has done this trip vouch for that? I understand federal law provides protection, but can individual state laws still create issues along the way? I’ll be passing through several states, so I want to make sure I’m squared away before I leave.

Once I’m out there, I plan on open carrying on my chest while hiking in the national parks. I just picked up a Vedder chest holster. I considered concealed carry, but with a backpack and other gear on long hikes, I don’t think it would be very comfortable. I’ll be doing some pretty lengthy hikes, so a chest rig seems like the most practical setup. Just trying to make sure I’m doing everything legally and responsibly.
 
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Parzival said:
If you have a NY permit your only issue is IL, FOPA should be followed there.
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Yep, in most of the country crossing with a pistol is the same as crossing with a pocket knife.

Most states you don't need to do anything even if that state is your destination.

Best plan is to take your route, and look up each of the states along the way. If you can avoid the stupid ones, I'd recommend that.

When we drove out here from NY we brought enough weapons and ammo for an infantry platoon, and we didn't break a single law that I am aware of.
 
DoD1776

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Parzival said:
If you are carrying a 9mm in the mountains, I’d pick up some hard cast Buffalo Bore.
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Would I be able to purchase in another state do you think? I know some states are very weird about it.
 
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DoD1776 said:
Would I be able to purchase in another state do you think? I know some states are very weird about it.
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Yes, unless you look 12, you won’t get ID’d buying ammo in most states.

Where are you headed in MT? If you have questions, let me know. I’d go back tomorrow if it was my choice.
 
DoD1776

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Parzival said:
Yes, unless you look 12, you won’t get ID’d buying ammo in most states.

Where are you headed in MT? If you have questions, let me know. I’d go back tomorrow if it was my choice.
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  • Glacier National Park
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Lake McDonald
  • Bowman Lake
  • Logan Pass
  • Hidden Lake Trail
  • Many Glacier
  • Swiftcurrent Lake
  • Grinnell Glacier
  • Iceberg Lake
  • Avalanche Lake
  • Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge
  • Big Sky
  • Hyalite Reservoir
  • Yellowstone National Park

All within 10 days… lol and 5 days after a surgery so we will see what I can get done
 
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DoD1776 said:
  • Glacier National Park
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Lake McDonald
  • Bowman Lake
  • Logan Pass
  • Hidden Lake Trail
  • Many Glacier
  • Swiftcurrent Lake
  • Grinnell Glacier
  • Iceberg Lake
  • Avalanche Lake
  • Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge
  • Big Sky
  • Hyalite Reservoir
  • Yellowstone National Park

All within 10 days… lol and 5 days after a surgery so we will see what I can get done
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Jesus, that sounds a lot more like work than vacation. Pick a few and take your time.
 
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DoD1776 said:
  • Glacier National Park
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Lake McDonald
  • Bowman Lake
  • Logan Pass
  • Hidden Lake Trail
  • Many Glacier
  • Swiftcurrent Lake
  • Grinnell Glacier
  • Iceberg Lake
  • Avalanche Lake
  • Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge
  • Big Sky
  • Hyalite Reservoir
  • Yellowstone National Park

All within 10 days… lol and 5 days after a surgery so we will see what I can get done
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Yeah, that’s a lot.

It’s Montana, slow down a bit and just enjoy the peaceful freedom. In 10 days I’d recommend just sticking around Glacier. Save the stuff down south for another trip.

You’re not going to want to leave.IMG_2303.jpegResized_20220628_185044.jpegIMG_2302.jpegIMG_2282.jpeg
 
DoD1776

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Parzival said:
Yeah, that’s a lot.

It’s Montana, slow down a bit and just enjoy the peaceful freedom. In 10 days I’d recommend just sticking around Glacier. Save the stuff down south for another trip.

You’re not going to want to leave.View attachment 284590View attachment 284591View attachment 284593View attachment 284592
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Looks gorgeous, I’m very excited. I figured I might not have time to go to Yellowstone. 2 day driveway there and 2 back so that gives me roughly 6 days. Non stop driving to Montana. Bought a blow up bed for my truck fit to size so I’ll be sleeping in the bed with my cover on. Might get a hotel for a night or two at some point
 
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DoD1776 said:
Looks gorgeous, I’m very excited. I figured I might not have time to go to Yellowstone. 2 day driveway there and 2 back so that gives me roughly 6 days. Non stop driving to Montana. Bought a blow up bed for my truck fit to size so I’ll be sleeping in the bed with my cover on. Might get a hotel for a night or two at some point
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You can disperse camp in Montana, great way get away.

What route are you taking?
 
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DoD1776 said:
Theoretically
  1. New York
  2. Pennsylvania
  3. Ohio
  4. Indiana
  5. Illinois
  6. Minnesota
  7. North Dakota
  8. Montana
I have to check out this Illinois thing that was mentioned. Just not sure why they wouldn’t legally allow me to go through.
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You can drive through IL, just follow FOPA, don’t carry. All the other states you can carry through.

The last exit in Indiana has a Walmart. I used to stop in the parking lot, unload and lock up my gun. Then stop at the Wisconsin Welcome Center and get my gun back out. I did the same in Minnesota, but they now honor NY permits.

This was my first drive out, taking the route you have planned. When you see this sign you still have about 9 hours of driving to get to Glacier haha.
IMG_1617.jpeg
 
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DoD1776

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Parzival said:
You can drive through IL, just follow FOPA, don’t carry. All the other states you can carry through.

The last exit in Indiana has a Walmart. I used to stop in the parking lot, unload and lock up my gun. Then stop at the Wisconsin Welcome Center and get my gun back out. I did the same in Minnesota, but they now honor NY permits.

This was my first drive out, taking the route you have planned. When you see this sign you still have about 9 hours of driving to get to Glacier haha.
View attachment 284597
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I thought PA doesn't honor NY CCP?
 
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DoD1776 said:
I thought PA doesn't honor NY CCP?
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You can carry in PA as long as you don’t leave the truck, so you are fine driving through from NY to OH.

“Exceptions…(11) Any person while carrying a firearm in any vehicle, which person possesses a valid and lawfully issued license for that firearm which has been issued under the laws of the United States or any other state.”
 
Criticalt

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I used to spend a lot of time in Western Montana during my schoolin days.
Thats where I got in a tug of war with a grizzly over an elk leg!
I was dumb and brave back then, now id just let him have it. We were warned by hunters in the area that there was a 700 pound boar approaching hunters while they were processing kills. Well, he found us.

But dont worry, im sure your trip will be fine and grizzly free. :)
If you're going to cap a griz with a 9mm, unload in his eye. I once cut into a 900 pound coastal brown with 9 rounds of 375 H&H and 300 Win Mag in him before he succumbed. I also looked at one with 2 rounds of HP 10mm rounds. The shooter said the bear died with the first round, the second was to make sure. If shot placement was ever important, THIS would be the time.
 
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I’d avoid IL. It legal to do what you are saying, but is it worth it? Legal only works if the cop knows or cares what the law is. It’s just not worth the hassle IMO.
 
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Criticalt said:
I used to spend a lot of time in Western Montana during my schoolin days.
Thats where I got in a tug of war with a grizzly over an elk leg!
I was dumb and brave back then, now id just let him have it. We were warned by hunters in the area that there was a 700 pound boar approaching hunters while they were processing kills. Well, he found us.

But dont worry, im sure your trip will be fine and grizzly free. :)
If you're going to cap a griz with a 9mm, unload in his eye. I once cut into a 900 pound coastal brown with 9 rounds of 375 H&H and 300 Win Mag in him before he succumbed. I also looked at one with 2 rounds of HP 10mm rounds. The shooter said the bear died with the first round, the second was to make sure. If shot placement was ever important, THIS would be the time.
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Moose scares me way more than Grizzlies.

9mm is certainly not ideal but if it’s all you have a heavy flat nose +p is a must. I used to keep a mag of Buffalo Bore 9mm +p Outdoorsman in my truck just in case I stoped for a hike and didn’t run home to grab a bigger caliber gun.

10mm was always my choice, I just shot 10mm better vs .44. I’d carry a mag of Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman hardcast in the mountains and switch out to JHP in town. My mountain gun…

IMG_3095.jpeg
 
Criticalt

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Parzival said:
Moose scares me way more than Grizzlies.

9mm is certainly not ideal but if it’s all you have a heavy flat nose +p is a must. I used to keep a mag of Buffalo Bore 9mm +p Outdoorsman in my truck just in case I stoped for a hike and didn’t run home to grab a bigger caliber gun.

10mm was always my choice, I just shot 10mm better vs .44. I’d carry a mag of Buffalo Bore Heavy Outdoorsman hardcast in the mountains and switch out to JHP in town. My mountain gun…

View attachment 284637
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Moose are MUCH more dangerous, and cause MANY more injuries than bears. But bears still win in the kill your ass category. Moose are angry beasts. But if you give up completely, they will GENERALLY leave you alone. Brown bears and especially black bears will kill you dead just because they...um...have their reasons.
Im sure you've heard the saying, "play dead with a brown bear, fight a black bear". That is very good advice which USUALLY works out. Brown bears want you neutralized, black bears want to eat you.
Just hope you dont meet a polar bear. They have no drawbacks, and the only way to stay safe is to stay away. Polars see you as a threat, and food 99.9% of the time. They will actively hunt you down just to kill you....very unpredictable.
Many outdoors people and guides are switching from 44 mag and 454 Casull to 10mm up in bear country.
A 200 grain hard cast 10mm round has proven again and again it can punch through to vital organs almost anywhere you hit the bear. 9mm absolutely cannot do this, ive seen it first hand several times. When you hear about a 1000 pound brown being killed by 9mm or 45acp, its either because of extreme proficiency under extreme pressure, or dumb luck....there is not a third option....in my experience.
 
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