Transporting firearms via car by yourself.

Status
Not open for further replies.

rhippert

Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
18
Location
Maryland
I travel from Maryland to Northern Virginia to use the NRA Range. I carry my guns unloaded in the original cases locked. I keep the ammo separate (sometimes in a locked nano-vault. This satisfies the legal requirements for transporting.

My concern is when I go alone. If you're involved in an auto accident and are injured, what do you do about the guns? If I am conscious, I would try to get word to a responding officer. However, how do you let first responders, preferably the police, know that there are guns in the vehicle that need to be secured if you are unconscious?
 
These are real concerns. Besides the possibility of an accident, there's the possibility of the guns being stolen. I would drive as carefully as possible, make as few stops as possible, never let the guns out of my sight, and not advertise my plans. But these are risks you're going to have to take unless you want to be a recluse and never leave home. Life is all about weighing benefits versus risks.
 
AlexanderA:

I always go to the range and return home without any side stops. I "always" drive carefully, but I live in a suburb of Washington, DC where there are a lot of tourists and transient population (foreign and domestic), and this area offers some unique driving challenges. However, as the saying goes "That's why that man made so much money with those bumper stickers: Stuff Happens!"

So, I'm not concerned so much about theft other than in the sense of an accident that could prevent me being able to stop a theft. I am also am a certified instructor and have conducted classes where I use multiple firearms. I have used a rather large heavy-duty tote that can be padlocked, but again, when something unexpected happens, how do you best secure guns against theft when you are intransit? When my son went with me to the range, I never thought about this, but now that he has his own family and responsibilities, he doesn't go with me as often. Now, I think about this.
 
This isn't exactly uncommon. First responders are trained to deal with this type of situation. Guns are pretty commonly found on crash victims and in cars. The local LE will keep the guns. Depending on where you are getting them back could create some issues. You'll probably have to go through a background check just as you did when buying them and I could see other hoops to jump through depending on the exact location.
 
I leave one of my carry guns in the car all the time. It is out of sight and I lock the doors. We get a LOT of snowbird older drivers - most of whom should NOT be driving - (but they ALL vote) so it is defensive when necessary, offensive tactics when necessary
I would drive as carefully as possible, make as few stops as possible, never let the guns out of my sight, and not advertise my plans.

Sorry, to me that sounds real excessive (unless maybe you live in Detroit ). Can't take a gun into the USPS, so it must stay in the car and be out of your sight.
 
I know you didn't ask this but....
Why do you have them unlocked? I didn't think that was acceptable in Maryland. And I'm pretty sure it's NOT acceptable in Va unless you have a conceal carry permit.

If you have a concealed carry permit Virginia accepts permits from all states, so you should be good on this side of the river. If not, I believe that you MUST have your gun and ammo locked.

Now I'm not a lawyer and didn't sleep in a hotel last night so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check the laws.

As far as your question. I personally will make sure that any guns I'm carry that isn't on me is locked. Since I usually take my truck, they'd be on the floor in the cab behind my seat. So any EMS folks would see them. If you have them in your trunk, I'd think they'd be ok and if you're too injured to speak then I think your insurance should cover them if they were stolen by a tow truck driver or an impound lot worker.
 
Good question. Post a note on the dashboard? Take it down when you exit vehicle.

I'd be REAL leery of putting a post-it on the dash announcing "guns in trunk!" Not so good guy rolls up on the scene, checks to see if you're okay. You're unconscious, sees the note, "checks your trunk for you" and removes the note. If you're lucky, he waits till the EMTs arrive. I know, worst-case scenario, but definitely no less plausible than some of the scenes played out in some threads on THR. If I'm wearing X's for eyeballs, I think I'd have bigger things to worry about than items in my trunk.
 
Hokie_PhD: "I carry my guns unloaded in the original cases locked." unloaded not unlocked.

I drive an SUV, so no trunk. Everything is generally out of sight under the cargo area cover, but the back can be opened with the press of a button.

I thought about the sign on the dash, but discarded it for the same reason.

I was thinking of wrapping a note around my drivers license in my wallet or placing a card next to DL and my NRA ID and Utah CCW. I am thinking that either police or EMT's would search for an ID. Thoughts?
 
I remember that, when I was younger, the rule in Virginia was open visible transport of a gun in a car was legal and transport in the trunk was illegally concealed because bad people want an unfair advantage over the unwary bu hiding the fact they are armed; the rule in Tennessee was transport of a gun in a car was legal if locked in the trunk unloaded in a case with ammo in a seperate container and transport in the passenger compartment accessible to driver or passenger was illegally going armed. Contradictory laws based on hypotheticals by legislators. I don't know when Virginia changed their law on requiring open carry in a car unconcealed but it was one incentive to get a concealed carry permit/license recognized by both states.
 
Carl
You’re right. Laws change all the time. We’re really in danger right now in Va as the new idiot governor said in his incoming speeches that “gun control” is his top priority. I guess he owes Bloomberg big time for winning a tight race.

Rhippert, I got the unlocked case. My point was if you don’t have a concealed permit the guns and ammo are suppose to be locked.

Now there was a change that an individual can have a gun in a glovebox. But I’m not sure his wit apply to out if state folks who don’t have conceal carry permits. Since you have a Utah permit I think you’re ok to do as you please. Now I know that doesn’t help as my understanding of your question is more about an accident or medical emergency or such where EMS would be entering your vehicle.

Again, I think having your conceal weapon on you and all others locked in your range bag or whatever you use to take them into the range is best. But I’m sure those with many more years carrying might have more wisdom on the subject.
 
When I travel to the range, all of my guns are unloaded and locked in cases and carried in my range bag. All of the ammo is also locked in a steel Nano Vault (three digit dial lock). All of this is loaded into the back of my SUV. I do not carry a concealed gun, primarily because it is darn near impossible to get one in Maryland. Maryland does not recognize out-of-sate permits.
 
Unless your the guy with the .45 Luger. I think your over thinking this.
I think as long as OP follows the laws so he’s not in trouble the People’s Republic of Maryland he’ll be fine unless the new idiot governor we have here in Va gets his way. If so, then he’ll need to learn the new rules.
 
I work as a paramedic and have for over 30 years (not anywhere near where you are);
In a paramedic level ambulance, there is a locked compartment where narcotics are kept. Where I work now, there is a pistol case to store CCW weapons in a case which is in a locked compartment. When you get out of the hospital, you just come to the station and get your gun back.
Where I spent my actual career, in a MUCH larger city, one of two things happened there: If the police were on scene, we would ask them to take possession of the gun or guns. I asked them what happened then and they said that the guy just comes by their station and gets it after they get out of the hospital. If there are no police on the scene, I would just take the gun, unload it, and turn it over to hospital security. I should add that there, it was common to have fairly large amounts of cash, jewelry.......... and there was never a problem that I know of with hospital security and it wasn't any kind of a big deal. More than a few times, I called the hospital and told them to have security meet us in the ER to take possession of something or another. I once transported a guy that had several hundred thousand dollars in cash and securities on him and nobody batted an eye about it. The money was counted in front of several witnesses and locked up.

Just a few things to think about. I certainly can't guarantee you that this is what would happen where you are, and it all might be a waste of bandwidth. I have been on-scene with some moon bat paramedics freaked out over a gun and I just handled things myself and ignored them. So, you really don't know what might happen. I was basically just pointing out that CCW has become a very common thing in today's world and you would be far from the first person to have guns on them when sick or injured.
 
jmr40 wrote:
First responders are trained to deal with this type of situation. Guns are pretty commonly found on crash victims and in cars. The local LE will keep the guns. Depending on where you are getting them back could create some issues.

My father lives in a very gun-friendly area. Perhaps a little much gun enthusiasm. If the police take your guns, you will get them back. But it will take a while and unless its in an exotic caliber, it will look suspiciously like its been fired and not cleaned particularly well. ;)

Of course, you can always invite the officer to stop by some time when he's off duty, borrow one of your boats and do some fishing and you'll get personalized delivery of your gun. :)
 
444,

THANK YOU!!

It is nice to know that there are those who know how to react to the unexpected. Do you think if I approached local first responders I could discover how they handle such situations?

Thanks again,
 
I work as a paramedic and have for over 30 years (not anywhere near where you are);
In a paramedic level ambulance, there is a locked compartment where narcotics are kept. Where I work now, there is a pistol case to store CCW weapons in a case which is in a locked compartment. When you get out of the hospital, you just come to the station and get your gun back.
Where I spent my actual career, in a MUCH larger city, one of two things happened there: If the police were on scene, we would ask them to take possession of the gun or guns. I asked them what happened then and they said that the guy just comes by their station and gets it after they get out of the hospital. If there are no police on the scene, I would just take the gun, unload it, and turn it over to hospital security. I should add that there, it was common to have fairly large amounts of cash, jewelry.......... and there was never a problem that I know of with hospital security and it wasn't any kind of a big deal. More than a few times, I called the hospital and told them to have security meet us in the ER to take possession of something or another. I once transported a guy that had several hundred thousand dollars in cash and securities on him and nobody batted an eye about it. The money was counted in front of several witnesses and locked up.

Just a few things to think about. I certainly can't guarantee you that this is what would happen where you are, and it all might be a waste of bandwidth. I have been on-scene with some moon bat paramedics freaked out over a gun and I just handled things myself and ignored them. So, you really don't know what might happen. I was basically just pointing out that CCW has become a very common thing in today's world and you would be far from the first person to have guns on them when sick or injured.

Thanks for that information!
 
I travel from Maryland to Northern Virginia to use the NRA Range. I carry my guns unloaded in the original cases locked. I keep the ammo separate (sometimes in a locked nano-vault. This satisfies the legal requirements for transporting.

My concern is when I go alone. If you're involved in an auto accident and are injured, what do you do about the guns? If I am conscious, I would try to get word to a responding officer. However, how do you let first responders, preferably the police, know that there are guns in the vehicle that need to be secured if you are unconscious?


Granted I was an LEO and knew the responders.

But had a pretty bad accident [ head on ] while on my way to secondary job.

Had on my usual 3 pistols,the EMT's asked me what I wanted to do with them and I asked for an LEO to take them into custody.

Lucky me,I was in actual blackout and do not recall ANY OF THAT CONVERSATION.

But my guns were secured [ along with my blades etc ] and I retrieved them a day or 2 later [ don't recall ].

If you carry a pistol permit,the officers might look for a gun if they find your permit along with your I.D.

Just a thought.
 
Montana is not silly MD/VA...but guns from wrecks VERY common out here, especially during hunting seasons occasional winter storms.

We secure them, notify the victim or Family we have them and once they pass NCIC check (for stolen) they are returned whenever the owner or family wants them.

NOT a huge deal.
 
Thank you to everyone. I had no idea how such an event might be handled, but I feel much better about how such an event would/will be handled. I'm going to check with the local jurisdictions as to how they deal with guns discovered during emergencies.

Thank you!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top