Traveling To South Carolina for a Wedding

[gghbi]

It does appear if I travel through Maryland, land of the not-free, I have to stop at PA Border unload and lock the firearm up in the trunk, then travel through Maryland and stop in West Virginia and then I can load back up and carry the firearm upon my person until SC Boarder.

Upon the SC boarder, I'm not sure if I would be able to store the firearm in my glovebox loaded or if I need to unload it and keep it locked in my trunk like I would have done for Maryland.

WV has a convenient rest area right after you cross over from MD if you are on I-81.

[BlueTrooper]

WV has a convenient rest area right after you cross over from MD if you are on I-81.

Ah ha. I see that I do go through WV and then VA, didn't see that at first. Unfortunately, not taking i-81 until later on. Through PA, MD, and then WV it will be I-70 and then Route 522, but I checked along the route again and see that my time in Maryland is through one of the thinnest sections and only consists of around 2.2 miles.

[gghbi]

Ah ha. I see that I do go through WV and then VA, didn't see that at first. Unfortunately, not taking i-81 until later on. Through PA, MD, and then WV it will be I-70 and then Route 522, but I checked along the route again and see that my time in Maryland is through one of the thinnest sections and only consists of around 2.2 miles.

Yes, you found the shortest possible crossing of MD. Do watch your speed thru there as the speed limit is ridiculously low. Berkley Springs in WV is a nice town. The run down US-522 to Winchester is a pretty stretch of road.

[SevenMilePete]

That doesn't appear to be true. SC law states you're allowed to have a loaded handgun in certain areas of your vehicle (glove box, console stick out to me). What isn't clear though is whether you can transport it into/out of you hotel. Looks like no. In which case hopefully you have a locking glove box.




See above. A handgun in the parking lot or a few miles away is better than a few states away. As long as you can properly secure it.

OK, I admit, I'm confused. If you are allowed to have a loaded gun in your glove compartment, what good is that? How do you remove it, since you can't conceal it, and they do not allow open carry. What am I missing here? The point is, why bother?

[Sgt.K]

OK, I admit, I'm confused. If you are allowed to have a loaded gun in your glove compartment, what good is that? How do you remove it, since you can't conceal it, and they do not allow open carry. What am I missing here? The point is, why bother?

Some jurisdictions (not all, and not necessarily any in SC) would not ding you for taking the gun out of the glove box in a moment of actual need, they just don't want it on your person in public as a matter of course.

[Walleye Hunter]

Are you a member of USSCA or US Law shield? They have lawyers on staff who should be able to give you solid information.

[Manxdriver]

WV has a convenient rest area right after you cross over from MD if you are on I-81.

Be VERY cautious about where in Va and Pa you stop to unload/hide and load/rearm. Maryland cops have been known to sit in those rest areas and converse with troopers from the neighboring states. If they watch you unload and hide the weapon, what do you think the chances are that you WILL get pulled over and then they bring out their ‘contraband-sniffing dog’? Think that dog will alert exactly where the bastard tells it to?

[ROCK-IT3]

from the handgunlaw.com South Carolina page:

23-31-230. Carrying concealed weapons between automobile and accommodation.

Notwithstanding any provision of law, any person may carry a concealable weapon from an automobile or other motorized conveyance to a room or other accommodation he has rented and upon which an accommodations tax has been paid.

[BlueTrooper]

Be VERY cautious about where in Va and Pa you stop to unload/hide and load/rearm. Maryland cops have been known to sit in those rest areas and converse with troopers from the neighboring states. If they watch you unload and hide the weapon, what do you think the chances are that you WILL get pulled over and then they bring out their ‘contraband-sniffing dog’? Think that dog will alert exactly where the bastard tells it to?

This seems awfully conspiracy influenced. I do not use, nor have every used an illegal substance, I have my state and federal no criminal history clearances. Last speeding ticket was over 3 years ago, for a 60 in a 55.

Would it hang me up for hours and potentially a day? Most likely. Would I see jail time? Probably not unless the cops just so happen to have their drop bags of drugs on them and their throwaway gun which they all carry to plant on people.

In addition... it wouldn't be hiding the weapon. It would be securely unloading and stowing in a locked hard sided firearm approved container in the trunk of my car with my luggage.

[markshere2]

Ah ha. I see that I do go through WV and then VA, didn't see that at first. Unfortunately, not taking i-81 until later on. Through PA, MD, and then WV it will be I-70 and then Route 522, but I checked along the route again and see that my time in Maryland is through one of the thinnest sections and only consists of around 2.2 miles.

522 through Berkeley Springs is a nice scenic drive.

CAUTION: You are in MD before you know it and DO NOT exceed the 35MPH speed limit on that stretch.
If fact, observe the speed limit in all of WV and MD. It's just safer for your bank account.

Use WAZE.

Safe travels.