Posted on 08/26/2006 7:35:58 PM PDT by George Smiley
Folks, I'm taking on a contract position in Pennsylvania as of this coming week and need a quick overview of firearms laws.
I've got a North Carolina Concealed Handgun permit, so I can legally carry in Pennsylvania (or so it seems from a cursory websearch).
What about AR-15 style weapons?
Any problem there?
The thought of carrying firearms, even unloaded and in locked containers through Maryland and especially DC, scares the you-know out of me.
A semi-auto rifle shouldn't be a problem. Unless it's a gun grabbing state or community an AR is legally no different than a hunting rifle.
not sure about the legal details, that's pat's dept.
but you don't have to go through d.c. to get to pa
from n.c., just swing around through va and md. :)
In fact, I just happily replaced the "stock" stock on my Stoner M4 model SR-15 with a six-position telescoping one as a belated celebration of the repeal of the AWB.
L
I think I'd be okay in Maryland courtesy of 18 USC 926A
It basically says that if you're going from point A where you can legally possess a certain firearm to point B where you can legally possess it, then as long as it's unloaded and not in the passenger compartment (or unloaded, in a locked container if you're in a car that doesn't have a trunk), then federal law says you have the legal right to do so.
Do you want to think you'll be okay or do you want to know you'll be okay?
then federal law says you have the legal right to do so
Have you decided exactly how much of your time and money you want to spend arguing the point with some pencil di**** gun hating DA in Maryland or DC?
L
I was thinking about going across at some real narrow point.
But I definitely see your point.
Take an extra day and see the countryside. You'll arrive in better spirits and you'll have a much more pleasant trip.
Just my two cents.
Best of luck in the new position.
L
Thanks.
Been to VA and WV and I *definitely* agree.
I'm going to have to do it in one day, though.
They wanted me like yesterday after they finally made up their mind.
Does NC still have that bizarre law where you have to have your handgun on the seat or other eposed position when driving through NC with your weapon?
That always seemed like an odd law to me.
For Gun reciprocity, look at Packing.org ^.
Good luck.
And that's one of the many reasons I got a Concealed Handgun Permit.
You don't want to put yourself in the situation where the law puts your probability of being arrested dependent upon an officer's subjective interpretation and whether or not the officer is having a good day.
TRANSPORTING WEAPONS
Given this general prohibition of carrying concealed weapons, individuals must be ever vigilant to ensure that their particular situation cannot be construed as concealing a weapon either on or about them without being properly authorized to do so with a valid North Carolina concealed handgun permit. Therefore, the person's accessibility to the weapon is of prime importance. It is for these reasons, that when transporting a weapon in a vehicle, even greater care must be exercised to ensure that the weapon is not concealed and within the ready access to an occupant of the vehicle. North Carolina law does not specifically address how to transport a weapon in an automobile. Therefore, the central question becomes: when is the weapon concealed and readily accessible to an occupant of the automobile? Obviously, a weapon would be concealed and readily accessible, and therefore in violation of our law, if it were placed in such areas of a vehicle as, under the seat of the automobile; in a bag in the back seat; in an unlocked glove compartment; or in some other manner is covered or hidden within the easy reach of an occupant of the vehicle. A previous opinion from this office was that a weapon would not be concealed if it were placed in a locked glove compartment, unless the key to the glove compartment was in the lock and the person was in close proximity and had ready access to it. A concern with this mode of transportation however is that it is quite susceptible to different interpretations, based on the various factors involved. Therefore, this may not be the most legally defensible method of transporting a weapon, and is discouraged.
While a weapon carried openly in an automobile would not be concealed, there are other problems attendant to this method of carrying a weapon. The principal drawback, of course, is in the event of a person being stopped by a law enforcement official, the officer may not readily know that person's purpose and intent for carrying a weapon. As such, it is imperative that a person immediately notify an officer of the presence of any weapon in the automobile, for the officer's and the vehicle's occupants' safety. Another obvious drawback, is that a valuable weapon may be in plain view for potential thieves to see. The prohibition to carrying concealed weapons applies not only to handguns and other weapons commonly thought of as being easily hidden, but also to "long guns" as well. Therefore, shotguns and rifles concealed behind the seat of pickup trucks, and elsewhere in other vehicles, could similarly violate our law.
As to those vehicles with no easily discernible trunk area, for example vans, the question turns on a factual determination of when the weapon is within ready and easy access to an occupant of the vehicle. If the weapon is concealed near, in close proximity to, or within the convenient control and access of an occupant, which would allow him to use the weapon quickly, then a fair probability exists that the occupant is in violation of the law. Therefore, care must be exercised by any occupant of a vehicle to ensure that the weapons are securely locked away in as remote an area as possible in relation to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It is important to emphasize that these prohibitions apply to passengers, as well as the driver of a vehicle. (From North Carolina Justice Academy, Firearms Laws)
Did so.
Check out the District of Columbia.
I don't even want to go NEAR there with a firearm.
MD is not as bad, but if you go up I95, take the beltway east around the city - the western part goes into DC (The bridge is DC territory).
That's why I suggested 301; gas up in VA and drive through to Delaware -- keeps you off the I495 that could push you West if there's a major accident on the Eastbound side. Keep up with traffic, but let the hot-shots pass and pull the cops. Case the weapons and ammo separately and out of reach while driving. Or find a FFL and ship them ahead.
mapquest doesn't always give the best routes.
i guess it depends on which part of pa you're going towards.
if you're headed towards the eastern part of the state, go
with pat's directions. if you're headed towards the west,
think about taking 81 instead. it goes through the western
part of va, through a small section of md, then on into pa.
I've found an "inverse knowledge" correlation to Mapquest directions:
The better you know where you're going, the less their directions make sense.
oh i agree!
hey, good luck on your trip and on your job too!
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