Traveling to NJ from PA

[msquaredserver]

OK. There has been a lot of conversation and information about traveling with firearms into NJ.

Aside from the fact that I despise everything that is, regards, or is even remotely related to NJ, my parents still live there and on occasion I visit them. I have been going to various ranges every day for the past 2 weeks (in both NJ and PA. I'm trying to improve my accuracy). I know that traveling with a firearm that is unloaded, separate from ammunition, and a whole other host of crap is allowed if you are traveling directly to a range/hunting land/other place of "lawful use" (I am soo sick of hearing that phrase - carrying my sidearm should be lawful de facto dammit).

When I go to visit my family, if I am traveling with all the required provisions, but traveling to my family's residence as opposed to the place where I will be firing my pistol, will I get pistol-whipped by a government issued Glock then placed in very uncomfortable handcuffs while being escorted to a lovely NJ prison? Or arrested?

Thanks for the help!

[PisnNapalm]

If you're going anywhere other than a range or gunsmith or gunshop in NJ, I would leave the guns at home. You will go to jail if you're caught. And for the love of Pete don't take any hollowpoint ammo with you.

[Exbiker]

And for the love of Pete don't take any hollowpoint ammo with you.

That`s an old wives tale. Possession is not illegal. The only thing in question would be the parents house but I would think just like a match shooter staying in a NJ motel it would be your temporary residence.

[ihunt49]

And for the love of Pete don't take any hollowpoint ammo with you.

Hollowpoint ammo is illegal in PRNJ only if USED IN A CRIME.

[PisnNapalm]

Well... thanks for setting me straight on that.

[RobW]

That`s an old wives tale. Possession is not illegal. The only thing in question would be the parents house but I would think just like a match shooter staying in a NJ motel it would be your temporary residence.

I think this is way off base. The conditions under which interstate travel is permitted are very specific, as are the conditions under which a non-licensee may possess firearms in NJ. Staying at your moms isn't one of them.

From ANJRPC:

Some courts have held that the travel must be relatively prompt and direct in order for FOPA to apply, without undue delay in the course of travel other than as reasonably necessary.

FOPA’s existence does not mean that local law enforcement will necessarily disregard local laws prohibiting possession and transportation of firearms. Many local police are not even aware of FOPA’s existence (it’s a good idea to have a copy of the law with you). In states like New Jersey, nonresidents with firearms are regularly arrested and prosecuted for local law violations. When the matter is finally sorted out in court, FOPA (if properly complied with) will be an absolute defense, but that is little consolation when an otherwise law-abiding citizen is arrested and imprisoned pending a hearing.

I'm not sure why you feel the need to take the risk, but it really is asking for trouble, especially in New Jersey.

My .02 ...

--Rob W.

[msquaredserver]

pardon my language again here but..

for fuck's sake i despise nj. not only do i have a better chance at hitting 10/10 penny sized bullseyes at 200yds with my 3" barreled handgun than geting a CCW permit, now I can't even bring my lawfully owned firearms into the state??? i mean, i follow every single rule down to the tee to ensure i won't be hassled but it seems that if i even try i'll be thrown in lockup just because local/state law enforcement won't bother understanding or following their own state's laws.

what a damn sinkhole of a state.

[msquaredserver]

I'm not sure why you feel the need to take the risk, but it really is asking for trouble, especially in New Jersey.

and the reason i want to transport my gun into the state is because i enjoy shooting (legally, of course) at ranges, as well as getting better with my current handgun (taurus pt111 9mm, love the little thing btw). also, i'm trying to get my dad, mom, and sister into guns, and they will under no circumstances buy a gun for themselves at this point.

[Archiver]

That`s an old wives tale. Possession is not illegal.

Right, but NJ cops are notorious for ignorence of the law (despite it not being an excuse)

I can relate one story told to me by recently by an aqaintance, who may end up reading his own story here ;-).
As an armored car guard from PA who occasionally worked across the Delaware he and coworkers were routinely hassled by NJ cops. One particular time the cop asked the driver for his sidearm to check for hollowpoints. Being in the back he realised he HAD them in his weapon. He pulled the mag and ejected the chambered round and dropped them in the safe!
When the cop hastled him he acted surprised and told him he "forgot" to load his gun that morning! The cop being the (insert explative) that he was, said he bet it was in the safe. He reminded the cop that federal law protected the safe and a whole lot of paperwork needed to be done to open it. The cop "did him a favor" but letting it end there!

[mikey]

I tried to warn someone about carrying into NJ, here but was told that I was wrong, which I may well have been. Then I posted this and nobody came back with a reason why I was wrong. So......I don't know what else to tell you.