Guide To Moving Guns And Ammo Across The State Line

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

If you are planning on transporting your gun collection to another state, you will need to comply with all the rules and regulations associated with the endeavor. Every state has its own policy that concerns the transport and usage of guns. Therefore, moving guns and ammo across the state line is something that you can’t afford to approach lightly. You will need to read up on these laws, pack your guns and ammo properly, and understand the FOPA (Firearm Owners Protection ACT). That is why The Weapon Blog has prepared this article for you to have a greater understanding of the entire process. By the time you finish reading, you will know all there is about moving your gun collection across the states.

How to prepare for moving guns and ammo across the state line?

Here are the things to do that will make the transport of your weapons a lot easier (and safer):

• Check state laws
• Pack and protect your guns with care
• Understand firearm owners’ protection act
• Talk to your professional moving company
• Always be safe!

If you devote a bit of your time to doing this research, you will have no problems transporting any guns and ammo you might have.

Check state laws

Alright, to begin with, you need to understand that what applies to your state might not apply to others. Some states regulate handguns much more strictly than long guns, for example, while others consider them both to be the same. You will need to thoroughly examine each state you will be moving through, as far as these rules are concerned. Only then will you be able to enter gun contests at your destination safely. You want your mind on the game, and you will have it if you learn about these rules beforehand. Not having even a basic understanding of the regulatory state laws is definitely not the place you want to be.

Pack and protect your guns with care

But knowing about the various regulations that cover the transport of firearms is just the first step. You will want to ensure that your collection is properly packed, as well. For an added precaution, it is also advisable to use trigger locks or even break the weapons down into parts. That will provide you with maximum protection. You will want to unload every piece in your collection, too, and to engage their respective safety mechanisms.

While you are doing this, it is well worth your while to take a photo of your guns. Note the serial numbers, the model, and the make. If you have hard cases, make sure you use them and ensure that they are locked. And if you don’t, it might be beneficial to purchase them before the move. On that note, it may also be worth your while to figure out how much money you will need for the move. With the help of a moving company, you can have your relocation budget calculated in no time. That way, you will get a considerable chunk of worry off your shoulders. And you will be able to practice more for any contests you will be entering soon.

Understand firearm owners’ protection act before moving guns and ammo across the state line

FOPA is designed around protecting firearm owners that are transporting their weapons both locally and across states. However, to comply with it, you will need to take an active approach instead of a passive one. For example, this act stipulates that your ammunition and firearms need to be transported in separate, locked containers that you can’t access from the front portion of the vehicle. This might not be intuitive for many people, and not abiding by it might get you in trouble. Obviously, you should never travel with a loaded gun; that one’s easy to understand. But there are many other bullet points in the act, all of which you need to follow.

That being said, FOPA is not “be-all-end-all” when it comes to transporting guns and ammo. You can still be arrested even if you comply with everything. Some states, such as New York, view the act as something called an “affirmative defense.” This means that you can invoke the act only after you’ve been arrested. Therefore, you want to avoid that in the first place and take all the caution when transporting your pieces.

Talk to your professional moving company

If you are using a moving company to transport your collection, the thing that you need to know is that they are legally forbidden to transport any ammunition you might have. Guns are safe to relocate as long as they are unloaded. But you will need to talk to your movers, as some companies have protocols you will need to follow. They might want to be present at the time of sealing, for example. An interesting fact here is that ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) does not allow movers, or any other third-party carriers, to label the guns as firearms. That means that they will be transporting “household goods”!

Always be safe!

During the entire process, ultimate safety needs to be your primary concern. You can’t afford not to take this very seriously. Even if you are using a moving company, you will want to know what to ask your gun-safe movers before hiring them. That way, you will have a much greater understanding of the process, and any run-in with law enforcement will be solved quickly. And on that matter, if you are ever pulled over, neutrally declare any of the guns that you might be carrying, even if they are broken down in parts. And the fact of the matter is that, despite all your efforts, state law might want a word with you. By following all the necessary safety rules and taking as many precautions as possible, you will have a much easier time dealing with them.

Why do you have to prepare when moving guns and ammo across the state line?

As you can see, moving guns and ammo across the state line is a process that will require you to put in considerable effort. That is why it is quite important to start your preparations early. Never leave anything to chance if you can help it. If you are using a moving company, for example, you will want to pay attention to the conditions of the contract as well as what they tell you. Otherwise, you may be in for a nasty surprise down the road.

Finally, if you decide to transport your weapons on your own, learning about all the rules and regulations does not happen in a day. You need at least a few weeks for everything to settle in. Therefore, start early, prepare for moving guns and ammo across the state line, and you will have no problems!