I will be moving early this year from Oregon to Texas. I would like to take my guns, ammunition and magazines with me. Colorado, which I pretty much have to travel through, has a “High Capacity” magazine ban. I believe previously owned magazines are “grandfathered” in, dont know if this makes a difference?. My guns will be unloaded and secured in a small cargo/moving trailer I will use for my move. Magazines and ammo will be in the same cargo trailer but in separate but unlocked boxes (The Trailer itself WILL be locked). Assuming the guns are properly secured, what do I need to do to legally drive through the state of Colorado? My biggest concern is the magazines and ammo. Thanks for any insights.
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Calling @Will_B
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Check each state’s gun and gun transportation laws you’re passing through, and be prepared ahead for changes and surprises you might face regarding your arsenal. Some of them could present UPITAs, such as Canada does - there are people that still don’t realize it’s a FOREIGN country.
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I think I’d go thru Nevada, hit Arizona and take the 40 thru Arizona, New Mexico and into Texas. And no, haven’t figured the exact route, but suggesting a way to stay in more “friendly” states. Just a thought.
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It would be warmer
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I would suggest not being pulled over or having 3 pounds of cocaine next to your guns. If this doesn’t work for you, I would suggest bringing them through like they do drugs in prison. I do believe you will need a lot more lube for magazines.
While federal law allows for “safe passage,” Colorado’s possession ban overrides this for LCMs, making it risky if you can’t prove pre-ban ownership.
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Per Robert1025
I think I’d go thru Nevada, hit Arizona and take the 40 thru Arizona, New Mexico and into Texas.
I was thinking the same thing… but it is already a 2000 plus mile trip… I am not young anymore, it is going to be a difficult drive. I have been trying to get someone to ride with me. I just dont know what the law would be if a) magazine is considered hig capacity, b) I am just loading boxes that are sealed, I dont know if it makes a difference if there is a magazine that is loaded, but in a box and separate from the secured firearms and c) how the police might react if they saw 200# of ammo cans or boxes in the trailer.
I will research different routs as you suggest. Thanks!
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The proving how long I have owned them is not possible. Back when I bought my magazines 6-8 years ago, no one would think to save receipts, and, no way to prove a given magazine is the one on the receipt… I dont know of any magazines that have a s/n to match to a receipt anyway.
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Optimist!
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Yes, I have been checking every resource I can on laws.. but it is things like Colorado, where it is just restricted… you cant buy, sell or trade them, but if you owned them before the legislation was passed you can possess them. No way I can think of to show prior ownership of all the magazines.
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The best route would be the Nev., Ariz., NM., and into Texas just as Robert1045 suggested as well as your thoughts and just enjoy the trip with no worries and no magazine limits through these states. I’ll wave to you as you pass through New Mexico Amigo! 
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I wish you the greatest of success on your travels, and I hope it doesn’t prove to be a difficult drive for you. You mention you are a bit older; one of my suggestions is you might want to map out where you can go to the bathroom along the way. 
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That works too if you can fit the head in that small of an opening 
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Correct, the rules say you can’t buy/sell magazines over 15 rounds.
What’s not in black and white print is that the vast majority of sheriffs won’t enforce the magazine restriction because it’s basically impossible to determine when or where it was purchased. That and it’s unconstitutional.
Your plan of having the ammo and magazines separate from the firearms is realistically all that’s necessary.
You can have a loaded handgun in the cabin, but long guns have to be unloaded.
Also try not getting pulled over and there won’t be any issues at all!
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Thanks!
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I thought of that… I actually bought a small portable camping toilet that I will put in the back of the small 6x12’ cargo trailer for such emergencies! Good thought!
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I am a very safe driver… at least I like to think so. I also have my Oregon, Utah and Florida CCW permits, the Utah and Florida have reciprocity with Colorado as long as I also have a permit in my home state (Oregon) which I do.
I never imagined what I thought was going to be such a simple, straight forward trip would become suc ha burden. I am almost tempted to ship the guns through an Oregon FFL to a Texas FFL just to avoid the hassle… but I am not a rich man either…
I appreciate your input.
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My understanding is the way you plan on tramsporting them there is no issue for the fact they are secured,unloaded and you are passing through. On a personal note I traveled through there a year ago my EDC was with a 10rd mag. and I had 3 other weapons with high cap secured .
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Beware of anyone suggesting you just mail the mags to your new location, because that could be misconstrued as furthering a criminal enterprise, and no one here would ever do that!
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