Transporting a Firearms

[R L Suehr]

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...hoice=suppress

Title 18: 6106 has most of the transport laws for "firearms" in PA. I don't have time to quote anything at the moment, but start there.

[R L Suehr]

Pretty sure it's not just a "mindset" - it's the way it's written.

That said, I'm not looking for it. Sorry.

It's written that way for long guns. I don't remember it in the language for "firearms" though.

[GunLawyer001]

The UFA prohibits loaded long guns in vehicles, the 6102 Definitions define "loaded", but only for "firearms", and long guns are generally not firearms, with specific exceptions and this isn't one of those. But most judges are probably going to apply the firearm definition of "loaded" to guns other than firearms anyway.

You can have the separate compartment for loaded mags INSIDE the gun case, too, but I wouldn't try loose mag pouches; a hardasss would interpret the definition to require compartments that are part of the case; stick with the "assault cases" with mag compartments affixed to the outside (or inside, if they make those):

"Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, the
nondetachable magazine or, in the case of a revolver, any of the
chambers of the cylinder contain ammunition capable of being
fired. In the case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable
magazine, the term shall mean a magazine suitable for use in
said firearm which magazine contains such ammunition and has
been inserted in the firearm or is in the same container or,
where the container has multiple compartments, the same
compartment thereof as the firearm.

[KCJones]

The irony of it all is quite amusing.

We are a bunch of idiots, constantly jumping through hoops to stay on the right side of the most convoluted set of laws that even vary drastically when you CROSS STATE LINES* and if/when you make an innocent mistake or oversight, you risk your right to ownership.

Yet, prohibited criminals get a slap on the wrist for possession

Yeah, my lawyer friends assure me the gun charges are the FIRST thing dropped / 'plead away' for actual criminals.

[KCJones]

The laws are not logical but my understanding is it must be in a separate container but the separate container can be the pouches on the outside of the case.

Ditto my understanding, and that's what I do too: All my cases have pouches on the outside for mags.

[PickingPA]

In this example, if those guns are empty but the mags have rounds in them….it’s considered a (or 2) loaded long guns? And therefor illegal transport?

If so, I’ve been doing it wrong all this time

[GunLawyer001]

In this example, if those guns are empty but the mags have rounds in them*.it*s considered a (or 2) loaded long guns? And therefor illegal transport?

If so, I*ve been doing it wrong all this time

Yes, you're doing it wrong. At least put the loaded mags inside some kind of compartment within the case, so your lawyer has SOME argument (in addition to the "these aren't firearms, so the dictionary definition of 'loaded' applies").

Also, it looks like the rifle has a mag inserted, so unless that mag is empty, you're toast, under pretty much any definition of "loaded".

[PickingPA]

Yes, you're doing it wrong. At least put the loaded mags inside some kind of compartment within the case, so your lawyer has SOME argument (in addition to the "these aren't firearms, so the dictionary definition of 'loaded' applies").

Also, it looks like the rifle has a mag inserted, so unless that mag is empty, you're toast, under pretty much any definition of "loaded".

Just a stock photo. Was looking for a case similar to what I use for my AR. It has Velcro straps that poke out through the foam. And I strap my mags in the corners

Well, not that big of a deal to throw my mags into my bag instead of the case, just dumb

[vladtepes]

The UFA prohibits loaded long guns in vehicles, the 6102 Definitions define "loaded", but only for "firearms", and long guns are generally not firearms, with specific exceptions and this isn't one of those. But most judges are probably going to apply the firearm definition of "loaded" to guns other than firearms anyway.

You can have the separate compartment for loaded mags INSIDE the gun case, too, but I wouldn't try loose mag pouches; a hardasss would interpret the definition to require compartments that are part of the case; stick with the "assault cases" with mag compartments affixed to the outside (or inside, if they make those):

"Loaded." A firearm is loaded if the firing chamber, the
nondetachable magazine or, in the case of a revolver, any of the
chambers of the cylinder contain ammunition capable of being
fired. In the case of a firearm which utilizes a detachable
magazine, the term shall mean a magazine suitable for use in
said firearm which magazine contains such ammunition and has
been inserted in the firearm or is in the same container or,
where the container has multiple compartments, the same
compartment thereof as the firearm.

thank you for that.. as a follow up.. does this apply to SBRs? or can they be transported loaded assuming everything else is up and up..

[Walleye Hunter]

thank you for that.. as a follow up.. does this apply to SBRs? or can they be transported loaded assuming everything else is up and up..

I have pistols with braces so the world is a safer place when I am transporting.