I am going to be making a road trip from South Florida to Maine. I will be traveling straight up I-95, I-87 and finally Highway 15. This route will take me through a number of states that do not reciprocate/honor my Florida permit. I might miss one, but I think Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are going to be the problem areas.
At least one of them limits magazines to 10, and New Jersey doesn’t like hollow points. Therefore I will not take any magazine greater than 10, and take Underwood ammo with solid fluted copper projectiles. I plan to also take the original Underwood ammo box and 2 cable safes.
Since I have a stop in Virginia I am thinking I will unload and lock the pistol in one safe, and the magazine(s) and ammo in the other safe for the duration of the trip from Virginia to Maine. My questions are:
Is this a legally solid plan?
Do I need to empty the magazine(s)?
If I do need to empty the magazine(s), do I need to store the ammo separate from the magazine(s)?
Filled hollow points are not considered hollow points under NJ law.
No, you do not need to empty the mags, but as you stated, keep them locked separately from the firearm. Under federal law, you are able to travel through those states with mags greater than 10 rounds, you just can’t stop.
I agree with Dave17, just drive safely, use turn signals at every turn, obey all speed limits, not to give any excuse for LEOs to pull you over. Have a safe and pleasant road trip.
Yes, Ronald 150 is the best immediate driving behavior at any given moment. May I add a few considerations that are actually out of your control (sorry, don’t mean to scare you) we have to keep law enforcement officer perceptions in mind.
Shaneen Allen (2013-2015) crossed from Pennsylvania ¶ into New Jersey (NJ) with a PA License To Carry Firearm (LTCF). She was arrested, convicted and sent to prison from 2013-2015 for having her side arm with a PA LTCF (not valid in NJ). The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA - 1986) did not help her in NJ court as an Affirmative Defense. Depending on the State, the FOPA can be useful to protect you from arrest, or as a Defense in court
You can always be stopped by Law Enforcement because unknown to you, your vehicle matches a description of a vehicle that was stolen or used in a crime. We hope you have no vehicle issues in NJ or New York (NY)
Flying doesn’t help either because as soon as you declare it to the ticket / baggage agent in NY you are arrested.
Trains don’t help either unless the train route offers a train with checked baggage. We can not ride Amtrac because the train route in Minnesota does not offer a train with checked baggage.
Certainly do not want to impose. As I read about your travel plans on the east coast, these considerations came to mind. Blessing and have a wonderful / safe trip without incident.
Very good input, I agree, thank you for sharing, and it’s Gary_H that is planning his road trip, so let’s give him Blessings and to have a wonderful/safe trip without incident.
NY State is going to be the riskiest. Mere possession of a handgun, of any sort, in NY without having a NY Pistol Permit is a felony. Only residents of NY can get a pistol permit, after about a year of waiting, classes, money, etc…(shall not be infringed ).
Having ammo that matches that pistol, anywhere in the vehicle, even in a lock box in the trunk, makes it a “loaded” pistol and more charges are piled on.
Now, supposedly, the federal FOPA law will protect you, if the pistol is locked in a box in the trunk, with the ammo separate, and you make no stops. It’s a risk, but in theory the law is on your side. NY seems to have a habit of disregarding this law, though.
My advice would be to 1. Avoid traveling through any county that falls under NY City, as they have much worse laws, 2, find a route that keeps you on major highways like interstates, 3. Find a route that absolutely minimizes your time in that God forsaken state (rights-wise, it’s a beautiful state otherwise), and 4, stop for NOTHING. Have a full tank before crossing into NY and an empty bladder. Drive the speed limit, hope no NY cop dislikes your Florida window tint or tag, and be safe.
My biggest fear is breaking down, flat tire, or an accident. The vehicle has been reliable since day one, but we all know things can happen.
Its an SUV, so technically no trunk. I remember seeing a video with a former CIA saying he personally always unloaded his magazines and put the ammo in original package for additional evidence of due diligence when driving through the areas I am going.
I would maybe rethink the route. I haven’t done the research, but CT and MA may be less risky states than NY and NJ. Your route has you a long time in NY, and possibly passing within the jusisdiction of NYC. Coming up a little further west takes you through PA (safe state), then cross into NY on I 84 going east. This avoids the whole NYC zone (guaranteed jail if they find a gun) and has you only 70 miles inside NY before you hit CT.
When I moved 70k rounds of ammo and 34 firearms from CT to freedom in WV, I went 84 to 81 instead of the supposedly 20 minute quicker route through NYC and NJ, except for one time when I had a couple cars getting shipped and needed to beat the driver. That run had me nervous, NJ/NYC is no joke. 8 trips total in my RV after buying my WV place. Walk-around before every trip, lights, turn signals, tires etc . drove 2 mph slower than the fast lane, let the rabbits flush out the staties, and I find the Waze app invaluable for keeping one up to date on road conditions, speed traps etc ..
Had a few other trips when my son died, carting 20k rounds of ammo and weapons from the PD in PA back home to CT, then more from the probate attorney in Cincinnati OH. Same thing, fueled in quiet areas, didn’t stop in the ban states, let the rabbits wake up smoky.
95 around DC sucks, around NYC as well, and it’s a 2 lane cowpath in CT, Lord knows how many times I hopped on then off the next exit coming home from my boat. Personally I’d be taking a route more to the west. Might be a bit longer but there’s less traffic and aggression. Do not stop in MA. Words from my UT permit instructor. Forward motion must be maintained or they will deny fopa, as his CT state trooper buddy found out.
I avoided Maryland as much as possible. I also printed out each states laws off concealed carry . Org
Yes federal law allows you to travel through but Anytime you Stop you are no longer traveling technically, gas station, hotel etc. Maryland has plate recognition and Starr police have used it through reciprocal records to stop people.
Do Not, under Any circumstances consent to any search. Teach your fellow travelers to invoke the 5th if stopped by law enforcement. Do Not give them a stick to beat you with!
Research pa. Man stopped by Maryland state police. Disgusting way to treat law abiding Americans.
I regrettably think I have a game plan. It’s not a plan I like, but a plan none the less.
I will leave Florida with my EDC on me (where it should be) all the way North to Virginia. I have a planned stop in Virginia. I will leave my EDC in Virginia and continue my trek North thru Maryland, New York, etc. I will pick my EDC back up on the return back thru Virginia.
To me, it’s not worth the risk of becoming a poster child fighting for my FOPA rights. I’ve never needed to draw to defend myself in my 70 years so far, so I have decided to take the gamble my luck won’t run out. If anything should go wrong, I hope I, or my family, can sue the states that forced me into this game plan into bankruptcy.
New Jersey 
).
