I'd like to know if any fulltimers here have firearms and if so, how they handle them, given that many states have differing laws. Do you store in the camper or the tow vehicle? How do you keep them secure? Thanks for the info!

The RV Bookstore has a 2009 Firearms Laws for all 50 states book for $13.95. A must have if you intend to take a concealed weapon across state lines. The Casita Club has a long thread on this subjest, Just ran across it today.

Please everyone lets not make this issue a heated argument and i respect everyones view but this link should help with all the answers you need pamela.
Joe


http://handgunlaw.us/

.... And of course the usual reminder that the gun laws here in Canada are very strict around bringing guns across the border - concealed or not.

Very good advice Joe----Thank you

What I did was carry a small shotgun that I could register as a long gun (not a restricted handgun) when going into Canada and buying a firearms permit.

I carried it in the trailer, because that is my home here in the US and is generally subject to greater search restrictions that my automobile.

I did NOT carry a handgun as there are just too many ways to get into trouble with one in other states and, of course, foreign countries. In fact, I didn't even carry any ammo except for the firearm on hand because customs are likely to search and really strip one down if some 9mm ammo was found in with the shotgun shells. Some of these border guys seem to have competitions going as to who can confiscate the most weapons, esp the Pac NW guys checking Americans getting off ferries and heading for Alaska.

I suspect that a couple of good cans of marked bear spray would be even more effective in use and a lot less likely to cause legal problems than bullet launchers.

Thanks for the info everybody! I'll need to look for that book and read the thread on the Casita forum.

A “NON-Resident” can get a Florida Concealed carry permit that is valid in more than ½ of the States in the USA. The BOOK that is mentioned is a MUST if you are going to move a firearm across state lines. Some states may not allow you to do that.

Pete has the best idea of carrying a small shotgun as it is more likely to keep you out of trouble and you can take it into Canada provided you answer the questions correctly and purchase the permit.

Pete, I could be mistaken (like THAT's never happened before??) but I belive the thoughts by law enforcement officers up here in Canada feel that "....anything (this includes bear spray??) that you have in your posession for DEFENSE purposes could be (forceably) taken from you and either used on you or some other party as an OFFENSIVE weapon" and therefore not allowed.

When I was boating in Canada we carried bear spray specifically because it was legal whereas "human" pepper spray was not (we purchased it in Canada). We did sail across the border into the US and back into Canada with it, with no problems.

When I've crossed the border from the US into Canada by road, they have asked me about weapons or pepper spray, but never about my toolbox full of things that could be used as weapons (screwdrivers, hammers, tire-irons, etc.) Luckily, as I'd hate to not be able to carry that with me!

The first time (pre-Internet) that I crossed with pepper spray I was not aware that it was illegal in Canada, so they confiscated it (fair enough). I've never crossed the border in a car with bear spray aboard.

R.

I don't want to be a renegade or anything, but I plan on keeping mine hidden but "handy". My grandfather was a police officer and safety comes first, I will be alone on the road full time. The way I see it, if you don't do anything (including crossing the border to Canada) to give Law Enforcement a reason to search (which is most definately my plan), then I won't have a problem. I am not advocating for anyone else to take my advice and I have the book on the laws already (haven't read it yet, haven't hit the road yet either), but IMO, I would rather be safe and responsible than unsafe. I did, about 15 yrs ago, bring the same firearm from VA to CA under my seat and had no problems. Once again, I will be alone, so I am most worried about my safety. I will check out the laws and comply as much as possible, without surrendering my firearm at any time. This is the risk I am willing to take, NOT advocating in any way!! I hope all have save journeys and I am looking forward to being on the road with you all within a very short time as I officially retired Friday, waiting on my Pension Funds to come through to join you all. Happy and safe traveling and towing!!

As a Canadian we do not have the same rights to bear arms as do Americans so I always find these forum discussions interesting. My father was American and used guns all his life until he moved to Canada so I understand that they are more a part of life in the USA then here.

There is a thread on security on this forum - I believe it pokes up quite often - and there was one post I thought was outstanding. It was by an ex police officer from the USA. His basic stance was you should not carry firearms or other weapons for protection unless you are 100% sure you will have the capacity to use them when the time comes - otherwise that weapon may be taken and used against you. I had never thought about it that way but of course it is logically.

So in the end you always have to decide 'Do I have the discipline to use a firearm correctly and forcible in a time of crisis?'

Be careful -- We are drifting from How to Carry Firearms to Should We Carry Firearms, the contentious part that gets us in trouble.

I should have mentioned that in regard to Canada, do NOT mention defense against humans with regard to any thing that might conceivably be used as a weapon -- Pepper spray itself is considered defensive UNLESS it is marked BEAR SPRAY, in which case it is presumed to be OK.

However, Canadian law also makes it clear that if a non-restricted item, like bear spray, becomes used in a human situation, it is upgraded to a restricted item and upgrades the crime -- Example of this might be a flare launcher for a boat -- A safety device or a restricted firearm, depending on the use.

I suggest that anyone planning to carry restricted firearms in foreign countries (or states like NY or MA, for that matter) give some serious reconsideration to that plan -- In Mexico, you will do jail time under unpleasant circumstances; in Canada you might not get jail first time, but highly subject to losing weapon, truck and trailer, plus be persona non gratis after that. Second Amendment rights stop at the borders to the countries or the states.

"Getting away with it" time doesn't really count for much; it's the one time you don't that resets the meter to zero. In nine years on the road, I could have been carrying a case of hand grenades and another of submachine guns in the rear of my truck and gotten away with it (altho I did have CA Customs checking inside my Scamp and under my front seat) but that doesn't make it smart.

My understanding is that the Canadian border people have access to many US data bases, including NCIC and CCW, so if one has a CCW or have had a background check, one may pop up on a list to be pulled aside for detailed checking, just as they check for felony backgrounds by random pullouts -- They can be very aggressive in this regard -- I recall two lady friends of mine being questioned for a long time on ferry crossing Back East regarding pepper spray and personal protection -- It's their border and they can manage it as they choose.

I carry in my home state only, where I have a concealed carry license, and shoot in excess of 1000 rounds a year, I carry bear spray else where, in lower 48.

Thanks Pete

Pamela,

I carry a handgun, always. It's loaded, won't do any good unloaded. It's stored in the trailer. It's been across the country and back several times. I did not take it on my Alaska trip as I had to go through Canada.

I don't worry about having it since I don't look for trouble and therefore can't see any reason why I'd be stopped and the trailer searched. If for some reason the occasion would occur, I think I'd pleaded ignorance and let them have it. Maybe say something like "Gosh, I was sure I left it home" and maybe bat my big brown eyes.

I'm contemplating full timing and have wondered about my handgun only because while fulltiming I might want to cross the border into Canada or go to Alaska again. I think someone mentioned leaving their weapon at the border and picking it back up on their return. The problem being that you have to cross both ways at the same border crossing. So while I like the handgun better than a shotgun I might have to reconsider if having a shotgun allows me to take it into Canada. Maybe some research is needed.

A U.S.Marine was jailed in Mexico for inadvertently crossing the border with guns.

It took 2 U.S. Congressmen and a General to get him released.

No problem, I don't plan on going to Mexico anytime soon or even later.

Best laid plans and all that -- There have been numerous instances in the El Paso area where is easy for someone passing through (like the Marine) to take a wrong turn and wind up in the border crossing lane with no chance to turn around -- The Marine didn't have any intentions of going to Mexico.

Once upon a time, one could check weapons at the border going into Canada, but those days are long gone -- When you present the weapons, they will be confiscated unless you can get the appropriate firearms permits (which are not available for aliens for handguns and other restricted weapons).

My hands are lethal weapons. I carry them with me everywhere I go and very rarely hide them. Customs has never confiscated them in Canada or Mexico. My hands move freely across state lines.....

I am known as "The Gringo."

Awesome!

Here is a possible, yet illegal way of doing it with hand gun:If you are going through Canada to Alaska, an option is to send it general delivery, to yourself, to the closest US post office after the Canadian border and before you cross into Canada. But it should be broken down and mailed in at least two separate packages with some other items you might need there, like canned goods or such. You ask for your two parcels when you get to that post office. Put on the parcels your likely ETA. The post offices hold them for about 30 days. Solo backpackers, I have heard, do this when there is no other solution.

Legally, it should be sent by someplace like a gun store which has an FFL to another in Alaska having one too, paying a fee for each transaction. What a pain it has all become!

I saved that "Gringo" gif LOL I Like it

Don't even think about mailing it illegally because the BATF will make your life a living hell when you are caught.
You could wind up in Gitmo as a Terab Airest for the rest of your life not to mention the government seizing everything you own.

I sell guns at a gun store and the way to move it is to ship from one FFL Licensed dealer to another FFL Licensed dealer.
After all, if having a handgun with you is so important doing it within the law is that important also.

I think more than enough has been said concernint this issue and this thread should be closed.

Do I recall seeing you in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" with Antonio Banderas?

Roger

The most important thing on this thread is Monica RETIRED and is awaiting Pension Funds! WOO HOO


I am Soooooooo jealous..

Note to Monica and Pamela concerning search and seizure laws:

Monica, you are mostly right that you won't be searched without cause. Border crossings are the one huge exception. I crossed the Canadian border many times while living in Alaska. Usually took a few seconds to pass the guard station. When my wife and I were crossing from Montana into Canada with a new Casita in '04, we had a different experience. We were told to park the truck and trailer in a large warehouse-like building and go to a waiting room. We were there over two hours while two agents went through the truck and trailer. There were a few other people who looked as ordinary as us getting the same experience. We were never told what the issue was that day, or if it was just totally random. We had no contraband or firearms of any kind on that trip. Like Pete, I have crossed the border with long guns. There is a paperwork excercise and fee to pay. But don't ever go to a border crossing with a handgun and assume they won't find it.

Traveling with a firearm in the truck or the trailer is up to you, subject to state and local law. In many states, there are laws that firearms must be unloaded and in an area inaccessible to the driver. The trailer would qualify under this scenario. Keep in mind how much a trailer bounces around and protect the item accordingly. There are different levels of constitutional protection concerning vehicles and homes. When your trailer is parked for the night it is your home. When it is rolling down the highway it's a vehicle. Searching your home requires a much higher level of exigent circumstances, usually requiring a warrant. If you stay legal, you don't have to worry about all these kinds of details.

Hey, BIG CONGRATS on making it to retirement! Have fun out there.

Pete:Do you know the customs procedure at the border for taking a shotgun into Canada? How much paperwork is involved, how much fee to be paid?

Some years ago I flew up to Yellowknife in the NWT with a rifle as checked luggage and I don't recall much of a hassle at all and no fee when I went through Canadian customs in Edmonton. I suspect things have changed now. Of course, that was 15 years ago, before the Canadians passed the legislation to severely limit handgun ownership for their citizens, and prohibit it completely for the casual tourists passing through.

Rather than give you old (2001) info, here's the Horse's Mouth with the current info:

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseig...s/default_e.asp

Essentially, you have to buy a permit for yourself and then register your long gun (and renew that every 60 days before it expires) -- I was able to do both at the border -- Do NOT state self-defense as a reason except in bear country against bears.

Now I know, thanks. Good link!

If I may...

There is a federal law that to summarise states:

That if the firearm is legal in the state you are orignating from, and the state you are going to... and you are not making any 'excessive' stops along the way (ie... overnight is OK, but not 3 weeks visiting Great Aunt Martha)
So long as the weapon is in a locked case, unloaded and separate from the ammo.

You're good.

This occurred after a gentleman's plane was diverted to a different state than the one he was intended to hunt in and he was charged with the possession. (Nothing he could do)

So, when asked... Your going directly out of the state.

Also, Florida has a CCW which is recognized in over 30 other states. Cost is $117 and I believe they just upped it, from being good for 5 years to 7.

Here is a good resource. The sidebar on the left specifically addresses some of the stated concerns.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/


If I may be of further service, please ask.

Please remember too, that is a privately owned site. Not a legal authority:
"You are responsible for validating your own information.". Gun laws are very complicated. Additionally, there are not just individual state laws, but county laws and city ordinances.

In Oregon for instance:

"ORS 166.173 Authority of city or county to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places."

Ignorance is not a defense.

It is true that it is not a legal source, but it is a good place to start, (And some of the replies here worried me) EVERY small local has the ability to further regulate loaded weapons... (Note the loaded) except in some states where the state Connstution forbids it. (Confused yet)

Also like some said, in the RV/trailer... it is often considered your home... requiring a warrant...



You CAN travel with firearms, often loaded, sometimes not... but you can take them with you (See the part about the federal law)

This just in: http://www.katu.com/news/national/41529977.html

my firearms are in my trailer (my home), and, my concealed-carry permit is honored in about 30 states ... I also still have my expired CCW permits from other states, with me, too ... I get along well with cops, and my multiple-permits assure that I'm likely to be one of the 'good guys' ... your appearance and disposition 'on the side of the road' has a lot to do with how you're treated by Law enforcement ...