Leaving NJ for America

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I moved 11 months ago from NJ to a free state as well and love it. I applied for my carry permit the day I signed my lease and got my D/L (I had a minute by minute timeline I wrote out to get everything done on day 1) - I applied for my permit while my mattress and dresser were strapped to the top of my truck in the courthouse parking lot!!! I had not even yet opened the door to my new apartment.

A big change for me, and for you as well being a high-roader, was going from 1 of the 3 out of the 55 people I worked with who knew anything about guns (and being an "expert" relatively) to being the least qualified person on guns out of 45 people at my new job.

Next you will find yourself wanting to move again so you can shoot in your backyard like all of your new friends do.
 
Also regarding CCW - I had a big head start because I had a Utah permit. If you have a carry permit that is reciprocal in Texas, just check with the state police that it will still be valid once you have your TX citizenship but are still waiting on a TX permit. Utah told me that the permit is valid till the date it expires regardless of my new address, and Virginia confirmed that they would recognize it even once I became a VA citizen. Careful on the federal gun free school zones though which are only protected by an in-state permit. I printed the emails from both states and had them in my glovebox until I received my VA permit.
 
To Doc7

So how do you like it so far in the commonwealth of Virginia? In which of the Southern part are you located (eastern, central, western)?

As far as the federal GFSZA, I have yet to hear of anyone arrested in our state for an infringement on this. My guess is the police here feel that if the feds want to push an issue, let them do the arrest. You can go onto K-12 school property while armed here if you are dropping off or picking up children. Your gun has to be concealed and you cannot get out of your vehicle if you do this.

As you have no doubt found out, Virginia is very gun friendly and there are almost never any problems here with police or civilians when one carries... open or concealed.
 
SouthernBoy said:
To Doc7

So how do you like it so far in the commonwealth of Virginia? In which of the Southern part are you located (eastern, central, western)?

As far as the federal GFSZA, I have yet to hear of anyone arrested in our state for an infringement on this. My guess is the police here feel that if the feds want to push an issue, let them do the arrest. You can go onto K-12 school property while armed here if you are dropping off or picking up children. Your gun has to be concealed and you cannot get out of your vehicle if you do this.

As you have no doubt found out, Virginia is very gun friendly and there are almost never any problems here with police or civilians when one carries... open or concealed.
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I am in the tri cities area on the 95 corridor which I am not sure you would call Eastern or Central.

I work outside of Emporia.

So far I have avoided giving business to a furniture store in the South Park mall area due to their No Gun sign and regrettably did give my business to Buffalo Wild Wings, although I will avoid it in future for their similar sign.
 
My friend, you better join the "gun or the month club" as soon as you arrive. AND, if you don't have 10,000 rounds of ammo ON THE SHELF by the end of the year, you will be politely asked to LEAVE!!!!!
 
"What other things do I need to do? So far, my list includes:
1) Join TSRA
2) Get a Texas CHL
3) Texas flag
4) Bumper sticker saying "I wasn't born here, but got here as fast as I could"
5) Cowboy hat and boots."

6) Pilgrimage to the Alamo

Welcome!
 
Already been to the Alamo a long time ago, but now the whole family can go.
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Did you also go the The Riverwalk when you visited the Alamo? If not I highly recommend it! It is a beautiful place and has a LOT of excellent food from river side restaurants!
 
Of course a rented truck is a commercial truck, but....

I don't believe rented box trucks less than 26 ft used for moving are required to stop at weigh stations. If you do, I suspect they will set you straight.

If you have a CDL as in Ryder requiring you to have it to drive the truck, it may well be commercial. Just ask.

Have a nice trip. Don't worry about the firearms and ammunition traveling other than someone breaking into the truck and stealing them.
 
Did you also go the The Riverwalk when you visited the Alamo? If not I highly recommend it! It is a beautiful place and has a LOT of excellent food from river side restaurants!
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And some of the HOTTEST wings I have ever had...............couldn't eat them (and I grow my own habaneros and make my own hot sauce)...................
 
Please do not come here and try to turn Texas into New Jersey .
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Well, I am moving to Austin, so I will help turn the city a little redder.

Did you also go the The Riverwalk when you visited the Alamo?
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Yes, I've been on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, but it's been more than 10 years. We also ate at Mi Tierra, and I remember the food being very good there. Gotta go back.

OP, learn to like Tx BBQ, especially the brisket.
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Went to the Salt Lick a few weeks ago in Driftwood. Some of the ribs were a little dry, but my plate was good.
 
Shrinkmd said:
Well, I am moving to Austin, so I will help turn the city a little redder.



Yes, I've been on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, but it's been more than 10 years. We also ate at Mi Tierra, and I remember the food being very good there. Gotta go back.



Went to the Salt Lick a few weeks ago in Driftwood. Some of the ribs were a little dry, but my plate was good.
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Plate!?!?! if you aint going family style you're messin up!.

You're messin with texas!

Their pickles are friggin awesome.



and uhh..
OP, learn to like Tx BBQ, especially the brisket.
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This is not a "learned" behavior. It's inherent. Bred into all of us.
 
There are areas where moving trucks/trailers are targeted for theft.
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What would be the best way to counter this? I plan on stopping at "nicer" traveler hotels along the way, off the highway in shopping center type areas. No Four Seasons! Besides standing guard or sleeping in a lawn chair with Roscoe draped across my arms, what are the other things I can do to lower chances of this?
 
I'd say good locks on the trailer or truck doors, no blatant advertising (gun co. logos, stickers, etc.). The "nicer" known places as you put it, well lit, and some do have security (rent-a-guards), but those might be additional deterrents.
Maybe some research on towns with higher crime rates along the planned route.

Down here in South FLA, one of the malls/shopping centers frequented by travelers is often targeted for vehicle break-ins of out of towners. Normally, they target the vehicles with obvious bags/luggage in view.

I know you'll have a full truck, but try to make the driver/passenger area as sterile as you can. I.e. don't leave a laptop bag/backpack/purse in view.

If you are military/govt employee, staying at a base lodging facility may be an option, you would just need to coordinate ahead of time re the weapons. Some bases will offer courtesy storage for overnight guests.
 
What would be the best way to counter this?
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GOOD lock on the trailer hitch. At the National Sporting Clays tournament in San Antonio.MANY folks have had the trailers with their gun carts (either golf or off roads, modified) completely stolen.
 
Austin has some good places to go shoot. Some fine LGS, too. Even better, plenty of folk who own or know of a place to g shoot.

Never pick just one favorite BBQ joint--the next one is likely better than the last (and the drive makes it worthwhile).

On cowboy hats--custom is that in summer (Easter to H'ween) you wear straw; in winter, you wear felt. best bet is to find a Boot Barn and start cheap with straw. Wear the hat a while and you'll figure out whether you need/want 8-star Shangtung Straw. In felt, get a 4x -6x plain black hat. Make sure it fits.

As to boots, find a Cavender's and get a set of 8" Ropers in a plain black round toe. Buy to fit. After you get used to boots, you can decide what custom features you really want.

Both of the above are much like holsters--you have to try out a few to find what's right.
 
Midwest said:
Watch out for around Memphis, some of the drivers cut in an out of lanes without signaling.
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Had a laugh about this one. MOST drivers in NJ cut in and out of lanes without signaling.

Enjoy your newly found freedom.
 
I moved from VA to AZ in 2005 using a 26” U-Haul and towing my 1956 Ford F100. I never stopped at a weigh station and had no issues from doing so.

A lot of states have Weigh-in-Motion which can calculate the weight of the truck dynamically as it rolls across scales embedded in the payment. States are primary interested in unsafe and overweight trucks. Technology is also able to identify commercial trucks using transponders and a database of a truck’s safety records. I worked on the computer system with Johns Hopkin’s APL and DOT. Rental trucks for non-commercial use are the least of the state’s concern.

However, take heed of this warning, which is based on experience. To save precious daylight since I was traveling in November, I had a Big Glug cup on the truck seat next to me. I used it to store the golden extract to prevent having to stop along the interstate. I was traveling about 65 mph and decided to unload about ¾ of the cup out the driver’s window. You can guess what happened. I had a smile on my drenched face as I was in the Land of Enchantment and only one state to go before my journey was over.

Be safe and good luck.
 
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