RV’ing with Firearms??

Miscellaneous
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Hello, Wife and I are now retired and buying an RV for traveling. While we plan on seeing many states, we’re brainstorming the best alternatives for self-defense that would cover majority of the U.S.
I’m leaning more toward self defense shotgun as the method as many blue states have such restrictive rules on pistols and capacities (even though I own CA compliant items, as an example).
Looking for advice from the community from those that RV on a regular basis and their experience. One that I’ve noticed is that Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) campsites do not allow firearms.

Thanks in advance!

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Since California is one of the most restrictive states if you apply their rules when you travel, you should be safe in a majority of states. I would still recommend you check every state you plan to travel through though before starting your expedition. You more than likely could include a revolver to take along and be totally safe. Just check to see if it needs to be unloaded and locked up when traveling through a particular state and you maybe surprised to see some red states are more restrictive than blue states. I was shocked to learn Open Carry was not a thing in Texas till 2021.

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Regardless of how exactly you travel, (by whatever convenance) workout your itinerary on the USCCA Reciprocity, and state laws app.

Whatever state you visit you need to be in compliance with their laws.

You start by plugging in your own state, and then the others.

They expanded how many at once you can check.

Be sure that you have all your legal travel documents, state photo id drive licenses, and any CCWs that you might also have.

Before you cross any state lines make sure you are good to go as is when you cross that line.

It will do you little good if you soon get pulled over, and had not made any adaptations to their laws that you should have.

If your carry weapon can accommodate various magazines at different capacities that might be better than taking various weapons unless they suit a particular preference for a different situation, like a smaller gun that is better suited to the beach, more easily concealed than your EDC in street clothes . Maybe a BUG, backup gun.

Maybe if you off-road into bear country you might want a .500 cal. open carry.

Think about all your situations, and choices for each.

You don’t want your whole arsenal to lug around, and maybe get lost, or stolen.

But, you don’t want to limit your chooses either for what you want to enjoy. And, what you need to support each weapon.

If you got one, or a very few that will adapt to your itinerary that is what is best to take.

Some professional drivers only take 10 round limited capacity magazines so as not to worry about forgetting to change to that when going into restricted capacity states.

Also, some states restricted different types of ammo, like no explosive, or armor piercing, that type of thing.

NJ doesn’t allow JHP, our most common defensive ammo.

Try to bring what will be compliant everywhere, and not have to worry about changing from state to state. That might be NATO FMJ.

It is times like this when we all wish all states had one simple universal constitutional carry law with universal Reciprocity, and a not a lot of variables between each state.

All you can do for now as a reasonable gun owner is your homework, a contrast, and comparison of each state that you will visit.

Cut the variables, and changes necessary to a minimum as best you can.

If you can get by with one weapon, one magazine capacity, and one type of ammo, all the better.

Just that I would bring more of that type of ammo, and more pre loaded magazines if your capacity is restricted anywhere on your itinerary.

If you can, and would prefer to bring less restricted magazines mark them with a Sharpie with the two letter postal abbreviations of the state/s they are allowed in, and be sure that’s what is loaded into your weapon, and are carrying for backup on your person, or in your reach.

Not to have any issues about that with any LEOs.

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When I was RVing in a trailer and motorhome my go to was a Stoeger 20 gauge Coach Gun. It was on a lockable wall mount. It is a 20" double barrel shotgun. Since there is no action like on a pump or semi auto it is about 6" shorter. The double is fast to load and easy to unload so you are not traveling with a loaded firearm. I kept a selection of shells for different situations. Defense was #3 buck. In bear country I had Brenneke Dangerous Game slugs. #4 shot in case I had to dispatch a smaller animal like a rabid skunk or racoon. I also kept a 4" 357 revolver in a locked case while traveling. In bear country I had 357 hard cast hot loads. I carried it in a front body pack or open carry if required. I have an AZ CCW.

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My wife and I travel often by car I check with the USCCA RECIPROCITY map and there are only a hand full of states that don’t allow Texas LTC. I don’t go to them states as a rule I have just rolled the dice before and traveled through a couple with my EDC and just hoped I didn’t do anything to give LEO a reason to ask or search.

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Thanks for all the advice, I’ve also found a camping app that has the “general” rules for each state in regards to firearms in vehicles. That was helpful, and shows that even some of the “blue” states that are not very CCW friendly have reasonable rules for use of alternatives to handguns. I think we’ll plan on using lockable devices for handguns and use of our bantam 12g with 00 shells as a primary in coach protection.

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Be careful with any handguns, even locked away, if you plan on traveling in certain states. NY prohibits the possession of any handgun, even locked away, unloaded, disassembled, etc, for anyone who does not hold a New York State pistol permit. Basically, you could have the thing broken down, no ammo on board, locked in a lock box in the compartment under the RV, and still be committing a felony driving across the state line into NY. Should you have ammo anywhere on board that fits that inaccessible handgun, it’s considered “loaded” the way their laws are written, and that’s another felony. They hate us in Albany.

I don’t know all the states and laws, but I expect a shotgun is probably one of the most universally legal guns you can have on board. My brother and I have traveled quite a few states in his RV, including his home state of NY, and shotgun is his defensive firearm of choice.

Congratulations on your retirement and new adventure.

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There are several Coastal States in the Northeast that are way worse than CA when it comes to possessing a firearm in a vehicle.

Manually operated rifles and shotguns without “scary features” like pistol grips, etc. might be the most universally legal to posses firearms. But they need to be transported unloaded (even in most, if not all, gun friendly States) and can be very slow to make ready when suddenly faced with a deadly threat.

Another issue with long guns is that in most camping situations it is a bit uncomfortable and attention attracting to wander around with them on your shoulder. So any problems that might arise would require going to get the firearm instead of already having it on you.

Another issue to consider is the range and over penetration issues associated with shotguns and some rifle calibers. In a public campground setting there can be a lot of neighbors with very thin walls to worry about.

For cross country travel in an RV where I was planning to pass through one or more restrictive States I would probably lean towards a pistol with 10 round magazines and a “featureless” semi auto rifle also with 10 round magazines. Like a basic Ruger Mini 14, Ruger PC Carbine, or a Keltec SU16B. Though there would be some States, counties and cities you would need to avoid even with those limited tools.

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I too travel with the “Better Half” camping (bumper pull travel trailer) in the warmer months and while I am enjoying everyone’s opinion on the TRAVELING portion of the conversation I always take a few hours a day or two before departing and truly ensure what firearms I’m NOT TAKING along with ammo and such are locked, and safe in case of an incident at my house while I’m gone. It’s gotten easier now since my youngest son is a Deputy with a very large gun safe to just transport them to him then pick upon my return. We are never gone for more than a week but my trip is a lot more enjoyable knowing I wont come home to a problem.
I would like to see that link on the campgrounds and firearm laws though. Have to admit I’m sure once I see that I can confirm I’ve most likely slightly bent one of the rules somewhere along the line.

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Isn’t an RV also called a mobile home? If I’m living in it, It’s my home. Therefore dont loe need a warrant to search my home??? Can’t i have guns in my home? SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!!

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The app I was referring to is AllStays Camp and RV, and after you “X” off the subscription screen, go to the top left menu pull down (3 bars). The scroll down to the “Extras: construction, Officials, Towing….” And tap on it. It will open a browser window (https://www.allstays.com/apps/resources/) with a state listing. Click on any state and it has lots of info, to include “Gun Law Simple Summary” in that list.

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Thank you so much. I’ve heard if that app but never explored it. Will do so for sure now. Safe travels and the wind always at your back.

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That would be nice as I am a “Constitutional Conservative,” who believes that the Second Amendment should rule Supreme per the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, over all states and territories with universal national reciprocity. PERIOD. Shall Not Be Infringed Upon.

But, different states have different interpretations.

Your “home” has wheels, and be it self propelled, or pulled by some other motor vehicle, may be considered a motor vehicle on a public road, or highway, and as such subject to that same laws and restrictions as any other motor vehicle in any given state.

You may find yourself making your argument in a court of law, and that court might not agree with your interpretation.

Better safe than sorry, until all states abide by the constitution for sure.

You might be the one to make a landmark case in your appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States with that argument.

Good luck with that.

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I traveled through and to New York this past summer and checked on transporting the state told me mag could not hold more then 10 rounds had to be empty and locked in a different box and area of vehicle weapon needs to be unloaded locked up. They also informed me that this was only for traveling through if I stopped to visit or spend the night in a hotel then I was illegal for possessing a firearm in the state without a permit

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Truth that! NY is annal about 2A.

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In some, if not all states, RVs are treated as an extension of one’s permanent dwelling, requiring a search warrant to search.

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USCCA has a few free vids online, on RV safety.

Non lethal? I luv me some “hot sauce”.

Liking the USCCA phone ap. I might be wrong, but heard for members, the ap might alert you if you enter a non reciprocity state.

Enjoy your trips. Sounds awesome.

USCCA once sent me a flash drive loaded with safety videos, a few were on RV safety. They might have some on their site.

The couple in this vid sometimes talk about RV safety:

USCCA:

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In answer to the question is your RV an extension of your home, and does a LEO have to have a search warrant?

That depends on circumstances:

How is your RV being used, and situated?

The IRS allows you to claim one domicile, is the RV it?

If you have a conventional house at a fixed address where you get mail, and are taxed as such, and your RV is a registered vehicle, and so titled, and insured, with a registration tag, aka: “license plate,” has to meet safety inspection requirements, lights, brakes, etc. and is driven, or towed on public roads that is a major consideration.

If an LEO can stop you for a traffic violation, and issue you an appearance ticket in traffic court, I would say your RV is not your residence, but if at an RV park, and the state your in considers that your residence, that’s a different situation.

The LEO might need a search warrant. But, if you insist he has to get one, he can call for one, and keep you detained until it is delivered, and he and an bunch of his fellow LEOs, possibly with a K-9 preform their search.

Consider your precise circumstances, and how a court can interpret them.

But, if you are mobile in traffic on a public road in an RV that qualifies as a vehicle with a registration tag that allows you to have that RV on a public road as transportation, I would not think that you could skirt being investigated for DUI/DWI by refusing the LEO access to your “home,” in search of alcohol or drugs.

If your RV is parked on an off road lot, hooked to utilities, and mail is delivered their, you are taxed as a residential property there, the RV is not a registered vehicle allowed on public roads, and insured as a home, not a vehicle. And, unless a tornado puts your RV in motion, you cannot be issued a moving violation, then I would say your RV is your residence, and a search warrant should be required.

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Urban legends often start when there is confusion between carry and transportation. You can’t carry in “X” state, but can you transport through the state? As they used to say, check your local listing for programs g in your area.

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18 U.S. Code § 926A - Interstate transportation of firearms | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

Even with this NY is special, you may not stop overnight in a hotel, or anytime while traveling “through” NY with a firearm.

You must traverse the entire state in, and out. Unless you hold a NYPL, or NYCPL NY Pistol License.

They have NO reciprocity with any-other state, if it’s not their CCW it’s useless, including Up & Downstate without the other’s endorsement.