doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What's req'd to come to NJ or PA with my gun?

My understanding of a discussion I had with a Jersey State Trooper (heli pilot) is that HP can be used on varmints in NJ. The C22 seems to arise in how to procure and whether you're holding your mouth right in getting to where you can legally use it. THIS IS HEARSAY. I too have been tempted to sarcasm by the Babylonian complexity of Jersey gun law as parsed by Jersey residents. Sorry I can't provide a simple Jack Webb synopsis, Chuck.

jack

A firearm cannot be loaded in a vehicle in PA (unless carried via permit as a concealed weapon) but it doesn't have to be cased! Go to Potter, Tioga, or any of the north central counties and one will still see an occasional rifle or shotgun in a gun rack in a pickup truck rear window.

Certainly, NJ is a different story!

GWP, Since when did it become illegal to carry an uncased shotgun or rifle in Pa. Come hunting season you will see the guns racks in the back of pick ups with rifles and or shotguns. The 4' level comes out and the guns go it. Maybe you live in the city, but I lived close to Trenton in Pa and a younger friend was going to the Poconos and decided to cross the river (Delaware) into N.J. with a rifle and shotgun in a rack. Going up Rt 29 early morning a N.J. Tropper going south bound made an abrupt turn and pulled him over and told him that here in N.J. we have a cased gun law, let him go but told him to put the guns behind the driver's seat until he crossed back over to Pa.
Handguns were always cased and ammunition was seperate and in a case.
If your not hunting with the pistol during precribed seasons and do not have a carry permit, you are not legally allowed to carry it.

Our camp is on Mitchell Creek off of Route 15 in Tioga County and I have spent a lot of time there over the years. I repeat that I have never seen a rack with long guns in a pickup in Pa. I accept that you have.
Gun laws are complex issues, even in a relatively free state like Pa. and I am no expert. However, don't drive with an uncased, unlocked into a rack long gun in a school zone (1000' radius) 'cause the federal law will come into play. And don't forget to unload it.

I now recall being told by a game warden that having an uncased long gun in a vehicle is prima facie evidence of illegal road hunting. Again, I am no expert; maybe he was wrong.

I disagree with you about the carrying of pistols (and revolvers), but I don't think this thread is the place to go on about it.

I do most of my hunting in Northwest to Northcentral Pa. I have seen hundreds of guns uncased in gun racks in pick-ups and did so myself until I considered that 8 pounds of rifle might hurt if it became dislodged in a collision and smacked me in the back of my head. I have been checked by a game warden with an uncased and unloaded rifle in my vehicle and had no problem. I've been pulled over by police twice while transporting firearms, and told them immediately that I had a gun and it was unloaded. They were very unconcerned. However I have met a few cops that I suspect would make an issue of it, usually young rookies who are overzealous. I load my flintlock at the beginning of deer season and legally carry it loaded until I shoot a deer, but the pan must be empty. Our current governor, Ed Rendell is one of the most vehement anti-gun politicians out there. Don't forget that name... he could well be on Obamas' short list for VP. Bad news for shooters. Both of them.

So is Jim Webb who may just possibly understand us.

jack

Chuck; I heard nothing form the Attorney General. I called the PA State police. As others have said; keep firearms unloaded, guns preferably in a case but not required(good idea to keep them from scratches though)and ammunition seperate from the weapons. In an SUV just keep ammo so it is not right next to the guns.If things are cased so much the better. He said nothing about cases being locked but I forgot to ask him that directly. As far as the officer that I spoke with thought there were no limits on the number of shotguns or pistols as long as they are of the sporting variety. I told him I was coming to shoot sporting clays and targets and poss hunt in the fall. Hope this helps and good shooting to you. It was good for me to know the laws also.
Tom

Tom, et al,
Thanks for all the information on this. I travel to NJ to visit family once or twice a yr and thought I'd take along a gun for some internet dating like JC mentioned.