The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: Mericet on June 15, 2011, 10:39:30 PM

Title: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 15, 2011, 10:39:30 PM
Going on a prairie dog shooting trip in SD and will be travelling there from NC (at least to IA) in my Porsche 944. Taking 3 rifles (which means the back seat needs to be down) and a bunch of ammo. All the rifles will be cased and locked with the bolts removed and stored separately. Will be staying overnight in Indianapolis, IN and meeting with the rest of my party in Des Moines, IA. My trip will take me through NC, VA, WV, OH, IN, IL(central) and IA. From my reading of the info on the NRA-ILA site, this should satisfy the law but thought I should ask here as well.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 15, 2011, 10:57:54 PM
According to the McClure-VolKmer Act (sic?) you are fine. Federal law states that as long as a gun in transit is legal at the point of origin and at the point of destination and is cased and unloaded you are good in transit. I have heard horror stories about airport BS, but, as a rule you should be fine. Besides, as long as you keep that thing to the speed limits and drive sober no cop should  be looking in your backseat  to begin with.Throw a blanket and a clothes bag over them.
 As far as your overnight, In. is a gun friendly state. OTOH, from my experiences in Indy, I'd probably want to bring the guns AND the car into the hotel room at night. :o
FQ13
PS A Porsche full of guns you say? Just so I can check on local laws, could you post an itinerary, licence plate and car color? ;D
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: MikeBjerum on June 15, 2011, 11:37:01 PM
I haven't read all  the states you are traveling through, but you are meeting the spirit of any law.  There are states that require guns and ammo in separate compartments, but you can't.  However, you are locking disabled guns in one case and ammo is not in that case. 

As FQ stated, put a garment bag or other plain jane item over the gun case so it isn't visible and doesn't scream gun.  Don't leave the guns in the car overnight.  Take them into your room for safety.

IMPORTANT  TRAVEL  TIP:  Once you meet your party in Des Moines I suggest you take 35 into Minnesota and get on 90.  You will not get through Council Bluffs and north on 29!  Unless you have a very powerful boat.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: ellis4538 on June 16, 2011, 03:19:36 AM
Don't speed!  I guess what I mean is don't do anything to call attention to yourself.  Stay as low profile as you can in a Porsche!  LOL

Have fun,

Richard
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 16, 2011, 06:59:08 AM
Thank you everyone. My stop in Indy is at a friend's house and yes, even the rifles will come inside at night. Thank you for the reminder on covering everything. I was planning on doing that. As difficult as it might be, I will be driving a little slower than normal (which to me is about 7-8 mph over the limit). Thank you for the heads up on road conditions m58. I would be surprised if they did not know about this as they have very active ties to law enforcement and emergency management agencies.

This will be the first time shooting prairie dogs and I can not wait.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: MikeBjerum on June 16, 2011, 09:34:45 AM
Have a great trip and let us know the numbers.

Talked to a friend this morning, and several miles of 29 has been under for almost a week.  Today is the day that Sioux City gets hammered with what should be the highest levels, and now we watch to see if the levees can hold that level for two months.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 18, 2011, 07:46:19 PM
Safely in Des Moines. On to SD tomorrow  (on 35).
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: twyacht on June 19, 2011, 06:45:34 AM
In 90% of those states they wouldn't need to have the bolts removed, except ILL. But it's a good call to do what your doing.

As several posts here at DRTV have proven, even some of the "po-po" don't know their own gun laws.

Would hate to be questioned in another state for a burned out tail light "in a Porsche" and have rifle cases in the back seat explaining anything to a cop that may be ignorant of the law.

Have a safe trip, and get them prairie rats.

We love the videos of nuclear exploding prairie dogs.  ;D




Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Ping on June 19, 2011, 11:52:13 AM
Good luck and have fun. Just read the post and glad you mentioned taking everything inside while in Indy. It is getting rough down there.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 19, 2011, 09:38:26 PM
Safely in Faith, SD. No problems and actually saw very little LE presence to Des Moines. Luckily I was only a passenger today. But, I must be crazy. I have now driven 27 hours from NC to be here, will spend 3 days here and will then drive back again. ;D
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: MikeBjerum on June 19, 2011, 10:33:43 PM
Glad you made it safely!

Have a good time, and wave on your way home.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on June 19, 2011, 10:56:35 PM
Safely in Faith, SD. No problems and actually saw very little LE presence to Des Moines. Luckily I was only a passenger today. But, I must be crazy. I have now driven 27 hours from NC to be here, will spend 3 days here and will then drive back again. ;D
Damn! Those praire dogs must have pissed you off! ;D
FQ13
PS, give us a trip report. I am jealous.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 21, 2011, 12:17:46 AM
Quick update. Nothing happened today. Rained all the time and it is too wet and muddy to get to the dogtowns. Not looking good for tomorrow but we will go to a local range and put some lead downrange.
Title: Re: Travelling with rifles by car?
Post by: Mericet on June 23, 2011, 10:08:29 PM
On my way back. I will give an update on the experience when I get home (with one or 2 pictures)  ;D