Cross country expedition and I am considering taking my rifle.

[euro.love]

So heres the low down. I am traveling across the country. The trip begins in Late May and ends whenever. I live in Connecticut and plan I living in CA or CO for a year after this trip. I am taking essentials, and preparing my truck so it is fully capable of living out of for 3+ months. I have been considering taking my k98 Mauser with me. For a number of reasons I think its a good idea. One being if I get in any kind of situation where I may need to hunt to survive and also I would like to have it in my apartment I will live in for self protection. The only problem is it is not registered or anything like that and I do not have a f.i.d. card for it. Keep in mind this rifle is from 1937 and has swastika stampings on it. (I love this gun by the way, and its a great piece of world history) So I called the CT state police and they said I should be fine if I render it in-operable. AKA remove the bolt and ship it to myself or something like that. But that leaves me with just carrying around a piece of wood and steel I can do nothing with. So what is everyones advice? I would like to have it with me, and have no problem taking the bolt out and putting it in a safe or hiding it somewhere in the cab. I know im probably just paranoid about all this but I would like peoples opinion on the matter.

 

[Scott Brady]

It is a valued possession of yours, bring it along! When you get out west, you can even have it on a gun rack, visible (not sure on CA with that).

The important point is that it sounds like you would rather have it along with you, so bring it. Just keep it well out of reach of the driver while on the road, and you will be cool.

 

[crawler#976]

Please read the following article:

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=59

Here's an excerpt:

TRANSPORTATION BY MOTOR VEHICLE

In most states, personally-owned firearms may be transported legally if they are unloaded, cased, and locked in the automobile trunk.

The exceptions to this rule apply mainly to interstate transportation of handguns. The myriad and conflicting legal requirements for firearm transportation through the states make caution the key for travelers.

If you travel with a trailer or camper that is hauled by an automobile, it is advisable to transport the firearms unloaded, cased and locked in the automobile trunk. If your vehicle is of the type in which driving and living spaces are not separated, the problem becomes one of access. If the firearm (handgun, rifle or shotgun) is carried on or about the person, or placed in the camper where it is readily accessible to the driver or any passenger, state and local laws regarding concealed carrying of firearms may apply. It is recommended, therefore, that the firearm be transported unloaded, cased, and placed in a locked rear compartment of the camper or mobile home, inaccessible to the driver or passenger.

Generally, a mobile home is considered a home if it is not attached to a towing vehicle, is permanently attached to utilities or placed on blocks or in such a manner that it cannot immediately be started up and used as a vehicle.

Once you reach your destination, state, and/or municipal law will control the ownership, possession, and transportation of your firearms.

The following link will give you information on each state you travel thru:

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/

The gun laws in California are the primary reason I basically refuse to travel there...

Mark

 

[DaveM]

I think your ok displaying the gun in a rack in CA, I know I see it all the time in the Sierras and central valley. However... I'd be cautious with doing that if your gun indeed has Nazi markings on it. Regardless of what you personally believe, having that displayed in public above your head in a vehicle may be asking for unnecessary attention.

Remove bolt and store both in a sheath in the back of the vehicle while traveling. Re assemble when in camp.

 

[DaveM]

The gun laws in California are the primary reason I basically refuse to travel there...

Mark

Specifically which regulations are the problem? I have no trouble traveling with either my 12ga or my 410 in CA. I have taken both back and forth across state lines several times. Always take the 410 camping with me. Fly in and out of SFO with the 12ga.

 

[euro.love]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I am going to keep it well hidden under in the truck bed, under my sleeping setup. Displaying a gun is just asking for trouble if you ask me. And the 2 nazi stampings are very very small so that would never be a problem. So I need to buy a gun case. I think just to be one the safe side of things I will carry my ammo and the bolt in a separate money safe I have.

 

[euro.love]

I dont plan on doing anything to warrant a search of my vehicle. I just get a little nervous about things from time to time.

 

[1leg]

One being if I get in any kind of situation where I may need to hunt to survive

Unless you plan to by a hunting Lic in every state. this is not an option. I know some states like NV, allows Hunting of Rabbits and Coyote with out one but most states you could face years in prison for Pouching.

 

[adrenaline503]

Unless you plan to by a hunting Lic in every state. this is not an option. I know some states like NV, allows Hunting of Rabbits and Coyote with out one but most states you could face years in prison for Pouching.

I would imagine that if you were in a REAL survival situation, you would not be charged with poaching. If you get hungry enough to not worry about poaching, its probally time to eat.

 

[crawler#976]

Specifically which regulations are the problem? I have no trouble traveling with either my GA or my 410 in CA. I have taken both back and forth across state lines several times. Always take the 410 camping with me. Fly in and out of SFO with the GA.

I have the right to carry a concealed firearm on my person in AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NM, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WY, because they all recognize my AZ CCW permit. California doesn't allow me to carry a loaded hand gun in my vehicle.

 

[DaveM]

I have the right to carry a concealed firearm on my person in AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NM, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WY, because they all recognize my AZ CCW permit. California doesn't allow me to carry a loaded hand gun in my vehicle.

Well, I think that’s a pretty silly reason to swear off travel in another state. Especially one as big and beautiful as CA where there is a lot of room for adventure travel. It’s perfectly legal for you to travel with your handgun in a locked box… unlock and load it at camp if you like. And yes, you can tell me all about how you will be defenseless against all the brie sipping, latte and mochachino Berserkely hippies that will accost you in your vehicle to sign some voting initiative. IMO that need is greatly overstated by most conceal and carry proponents. I get by just fine in CA without one. I must be real tough looking

 

[Mike S]

I think your ok displaying the gun in a rack in CA, I know I see it all the time in the Sierras and central valley. However... I'd be cautious with doing that if your gun indeed has Nazi markings on it. Regardless of what you personally believe, having that displayed in public above your head in a vehicle may be asking for unnecessary attention.

Remove bolt and store both in a sheath in the back of the vehicle while traveling. Re assemble when in camp.

Nope. You may not have a gun in a gun rack in you vehicle legally in CA. In CA you must have the gun in a lockable case, in the trunk or other lockable storage area. Exception is if you are going directly to or from a place where shooting is conducted - range or shooting club, etc. BUT... most police in CA do not really know firearms transportation law. Get a lockable case, carry the gun unloaded and in the rear for your vehicle. You'll be OK in any Western state. Store ammunition in a separate case or box.

I carry my guns when traveling and just put them in a drawer system in the rear of the vehicle. Never had a problem -- out of sight, out of mind.

Mike S

 

[Mike S]

I have the right to carry a concealed firearm on my person in AK, AR, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MT, NC, ND, NM, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WY, because they all recognize my AZ CCW permit. California doesn't allow me to carry a loaded hand gun in my vehicle.

Can I ask why you need to carry a loaded gun in your vehicle? Gonna shoot back at the LA gang bangers?

 

[Ridgewalker]

Just make certain you do NOT take it to Mexico or Canada. Use to you could just declare you had one going into Canada, but now I understand you have to register it and pay $60/gun and no hand gun.

I too have a K98 8x57mm brought back from Germany by an old uncle at the end of WWII. I think he swapped either cigarettes or cognac for it and some others.

Have a great trip! If you've never been out west, you may not want to go back east again.:jump:

 

[DaveM]

Nope. You may not have a gun in a gun rack in you vehicle legally in CA. In CA you must have the gun in a lockable case, in the trunk or other lockable storage area. Exception is if you are going directly to or from a place where shooting is conducted - range or shooting club, etc. BUT... most police in CA do not really know firearms transportation law. Get a lockable case, carry the gun unloaded and in the rear for your vehicle. You'll be OK in any Western state. Store ammunition in a separate case or box.

I carry my guns when traveling and just put them in a drawer system in the rear of the vehicle. Never had a problem -- out of sight, out of mind.

Mike S

Not if your talking rifles and shotguns (original question was about a rifle). If you read the CA regulations on traveling with firearms you'll see that rifles and shotguns are exempt from the requirements you are talking about. As I read it they do not need to be locked in box only unloaded. And I can't find anything specially prohibiting them from being unloaded in a gun rack.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php