Traveling with Firearms 6/2010
Federal law does not restrict most individuals from transporting firearms across state lines. The exceptions are convicted felons, persons under indictment for felonies, mental defectives or incompetents, illegal users of controlled drugs, illegal aliens, veterans dishonorably discharged, those who have renounced their U.S. citizenship, fugitives from justice, persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders.
Firearms Transported by Vehicle
In most states, personally-owned firearms may be transported legally if they are unloaded, cased, and locked in the vehicle trunk. For a vehicle with no trunk, like an SUV, the firearm should be placed in a locked rear compartment, inaccessible to the driver or passenger. In either situation, ammunition should be cased and locked separately from the firearm.
If the firearm is carried on or about the person, or placed where it is readily accessible to the driver or any passenger, state and local laws regarding concealed carrying of firearms may apply. If you seek to transport firearms in such a manner, it is advisable that you determine what the law is by contacting the Attorney General`s office in each state through which you may travel. You should determine whether a permit is needed and how to obtain one if available. While many states require a permit for this type of carrying, most will not issue such permits to nonresidents, and others prohibit such carrying altogether. To contact the Idaho Attorney General’s office, dial 1-208-334-2400 or go online to: www2.state.id.us/ag .
When you reach your destination state, firearm laws in that state will control the ownership, possession, and transportation of your firearms.
Firearms Transported by Aircraft
Federal law prohibits the carrying of any firearm, concealed or unconcealed, on or about the person or in carry-on baggage while aboard an aircraft. Firearms are permitted as baggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established specific requirements for transporting firearms and ammunition:
- The firearm must be checked with the air carrier as luggage. Firearms are prohibited from carry-on baggage.
- The firearm must be declared orally or in writing in accordance with the air carriers` procedures (contact your air carrier for their specific procedures).
- The firearm must be unloaded.
- The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container. The container must be locked and only the passenger may retain the key or combination.
All checked baggage is subject to inspection. If during the inspection process it is necessary to open the container, air carriers are required to locate the passenger and the passenger must unlock the container for further inspection. The firearm may not be transported if the passenger can not be located to unlock the container. If you are traveling with a firearm, pay close attention to airport pages and announcements. If requested, provide the cooperation necessary to inspect your firearm.
Ammunition is likewise prohibited from carry-on luggage. Ammunition may not be carried loose. It must travel in the manufacturer’s packaging or other packaging suitable for transport. Consult your air carrier to determine quantity limitations or whether the ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm. For further information, visit the Transportation Security Administration online at: www.tsa.gov .
For more information about traveling with firearms, see the Guide to the Interstate Transportation for Firearms written by the National Rifle Association –
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/