Bringing a gun from NJ to shoot in PA

[Gkgas]

I have a friend that lives in New Jersey and he would like to come to my range in PA to shoot with me. He would be bringing his handgun with him from Jersey. Is this legal to do?
Thanks

[mrjam2jab]

Yes it is....as long as it is unloaded and trunked.

[jerryg]

Your friend would probably have to drive directly to the range and then back home again. He might even have to file travel plans with PRNJ so they can watch him from the air.

[son of the revolution]

Yes it is....as long as it is unloaded and trunked.

Your friend would probably have to drive directly to the range and then back home again. He might even have to file travel plans with PRNJ so they can watch him from the air.

This issue comes up at least once a month on this site and the debate has gone round and round and round WITHOUT ANY clear, reliable answer one way or the other. Mrjam2jab, you should certainly know better then to make the declaration " Yes it is..........." when its hardly a settled matter of law, let alone opinion from some very sharp minds here. IMHO, you had a responsibility to qualify your post reply by mentioning that its far from settled. Obviously the OP doesnt know, and may not grasp the ramifications of relying on potentially bad information.


To the OP, does your friend have a NJFID card ? If not, then he would be taking a rather large risk if stopped for any reason and the firearm is discovered. If he does, then it gets slightly easier, but still extremely problematic and a significant legal risk. The general practice of the vast majority of LEO's in NJ when it comes to citizens and firearms is to make the arrest, regardless of the legality of such and let the Courts sort it out. Is that a risk your friend is willing to take ?

I have always said, if someone is aware of the potential risks of behavior that, while potentially legal may in fact still result in them being jammed up by the overzealous anti gun bias of the NJ legal system and they choose to do so anyway, then they had better drive like " Grandma " while inside the borders of the Peoples Socialist Republic.

[thefirstndsecond]

What does njfid have to do with it?

Some travel to clubs in NJ and in pa. Same for hunters. Although hunting license provides special.

[Gkgas]

This issue comes up at least once a month on this site and the debate has gone round and round and round WITHOUT ANY clear, reliable answer one way or the other. Mrjam2jab, you should certainly know better then to make the declaration " Yes it is..........." when its hardly a settled matter of law, let alone opinion from some very sharp minds here. IMHO, you had a responsibility to qualify your post reply by mentioning that its far from settled. Obviously the OP doesnt know, and may not grasp the ramifications of relying on potentially bad information.


To the OP, does your friend have a NJFID card ? If not, then he would be taking a rather large risk if stopped for any reason and the firearm is discovered. If he does, then it gets slightly easier, but still extremely problematic and a significant legal risk. The general practice of the vast majority of LEO's in NJ when it comes to citizens and firearms is to make the arrest, regardless of the legality of such and let the Courts sort it out. Is that a risk your friend is willing to take ?

I have always said, if someone is aware of the potential risks of behavior that, while potentially legal may in fact still result in them being jammed up by the overzealous anti gun bias of the NJ legal system and they choose to do so anyway, then they had better drive like " Grandma " while inside the borders of the Peoples Socialist Republic.

Yes my friend has his NJFID card. I was assuming that this would be no different if he was going to the range in NJ. I was going to meet him as soon as he arrievd in PA and transport him to range from there which his weapon would then be covered under my LTCF. Was concerned for him in Jersey if pulled over and said he was on way to range in PA.

[Coops]

I think in this case, the law is very clear. I am not sure why there is any doubt.

According to the NRA-ILA

http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/federal/read.aspx?id=59

FEDERAL LAW ON TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS

A provision of the federal law known as the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act, or FOPA, protects those who are transporting firearms for lawful purposes from local restrictions which would otherwise prohibit passage.

Under FOPA, notwithstanding any state or local law, a person is entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he or she may lawfully possess such firearm to any other place where he or she may lawfully possess it, if the firearm is unloaded and locked out of reach. In vehicles without a trunk, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Ammunition that is either locked out of reach in the trunk or in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console is also covered. FOPA also seems to provide for necessary stops, like gasoline and rest.

Travelers should be aware that some state and local governments treat this federal provision as an “affirmative defense” that may only be raised after an arrest.

New Jersey
An FPIC or handgun carry permit is also not required by a person transporting any firearm while traveling directly to or from: (1) any place for the purpose of hunting, provided the person has in his possession a valid hunting license; (2) any target range or other authorized place for the purpose of practice, match, target, trap, or skeet shooting exhibitions; or (3) any exhibition or display of firearms that meets various qualifications specified by law or in rules promulgated by the Superintendent of State Police, who must be notified of the exhibition or display at least 30 days in advance.

Any firearm being transported in a vehicle for any of these purposes “shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in [sic] the course of travel shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary.”

PA law is almost identical for folks without an LTCF.

Granted, NJ cops might be overzealous and like SOTR says you may need to supply your NJFID and handgun purchase permit. And you might have to apply Federal law as an affirmative defense at your trial. But every indication is that it is perfectly lawful. The "practice at a range" exception is pretty clear.

I would be grateful if someone could explain what the legal issue is. I thought the problem was with transporting and then open carry in PA. I agree that is a no no.

[mrjam2jab]

This issue comes up at least once a month on this site and the debate has gone round and round and round WITHOUT ANY clear, reliable answer one way or the other. Mrjam2jab, you should certainly know better then to make the declaration " Yes it is..........." when its hardly a settled matter of law, let alone opinion from some very sharp minds here. IMHO, you had a responsibility to qualify your post reply by mentioning that its far from settled. Obviously the OP doesnt know, and may not grasp the ramifications of relying on potentially bad information.

this really isn't the "come from NJ to carry in PA" debate....he specifically said going to a range. That is one of the exceptions allowed for.

[Gkgas]

I think in this case, the law is very clear. I am not sure why there is any doubt.

According to the NRA-ILA

http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/federal/read.aspx?id=59






PA law is almost identical for folks without an LTCF.

Granted, NJ cops might be overzealous and like SOTR says you may need to supply your NJFID and handgun purchase permit. And you might have to apply Federal law as an affirmative defense at your trial. But every indication is that it is perfectly lawful. The "practice at a range" exception is pretty clear.

I would be grateful if someone could explain what the legal issue is. I thought the problem was with transporting and then open carry in PA. I agree that is a no no.

Some great info thanks.

[steelerfan]

Your friend would probably have to drive directly to the range and then back home again. He might even have to file travel plans with PRNJ so they can watch him from the air.

They may want to ride in the car with him as well...at gunpoint