Planning a road trip to visit family soon and want to take my firearm along. Problem is, I'll be passing through New York, and we all know how complicated that can get. I really don't want to add hours to my drive just to avoid it, but I'm a bit stuck on the best way to handle this. Has anyone else tackled this conundrum? Would love to hear what you decided to do or if you have any tips for getting through the state without too much hassle. I'm open to suggestions.
Road Trip with a Gun
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
I remember reading a story about a woman who got caught traveling thru NY with a gun. She got 10 years.
You would have to go into Canada to go around New York state to visit some states from most parts of the US (e.g., Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island).
Here in Missousi, we have to deal with Illinois. I often have business in Indiana, but I have yet to take a gun through Illinois; I just travel unprotected when I have to cross Illinois.
I suppose if I were to do it, I would break down the gun and store pieces in two different locations, with at least one part locked up. Ammo separate as well, and possibly locked as well.
And never consent to a search, no matter what. If they are to search, make them do it without your consent. You need to be able to challenge the search in court, and you can't do that if you give consent.
Regardless, it is pretty risky to transit with a gun in some states like Illinois and those out east. I would check to see if they have guidelines online.
Here in Missousi, we have to deal with Illinois. I often have business in Indiana, but I have yet to take a gun through Illinois; I just travel unprotected when I have to cross Illinois.
I suppose if I were to do it, I would break down the gun and store pieces in two different locations, with at least one part locked up. Ammo separate as well, and possibly locked as well.
And never consent to a search, no matter what. If they are to search, make them do it without your consent. You need to be able to challenge the search in court, and you can't do that if you give consent.
Regardless, it is pretty risky to transit with a gun in some states like Illinois and those out east. I would check to see if they have guidelines online.
Bobcat
Active member
I simply don't drive through states that don't believe I have the right to protect my family and myself. If going east I go south below illinois, west is easier. If you absolutely have to go through new york I would recommend you lock your gun in a box, put the ammo in a different part of the vehicle and the gun in the trunk. As a previous poster mentioned, whatever you do, don't ever consent to a search!
There are several sites that will help you ponder your risk, personal freedom. NRA-ILA has a State Gun Laws page for each state. USSCA.com offers a free 2025 Gun Law Map. GunLawGuide.com covers all 50 states, published by KY lawyer. Suggest getting a copy of ConcealedCarry.com book "Legal Boundaries By State...The Travel Guide For American Gun Owners" to carry as you travel. I reference it for each state through which I pass during travel. The Federal Firearm Owner Protection Act provision in article 926A should become your friend. It covers traveling through jurisdiction not gun friendly, not recognizing your state permits. You may pass through a anti-gun state if originating and terminating in states where you are legal with gun. Don't terminate travel by staying overnight in anti-gun state, or several of many other restrictions....maybe even stopping to eat, refuel, etc.. Try calling NY State Polizzi asking for instruction to be safe. Danger in that not every LEO...especially local Yokels...don't know the law......at your expense. To sum up in a nut shell for you the NY gun laws in the referenced books: YOU ARE screwed!!!! Say HELLO to Kohberger once sentenced..... Good luck!!!
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Just back from trip to 2025 GOA GOALS conference in Knoxville, TN. Went to Louisville, KY to visit old college/military/best man buddy first. Did travel through Illannoy armed. Couple years ago, had called Illannoy State Police to inquire about passing through armed, basically need to keep going, don't stop/slow down/get stopped, put in locked container in trunk/unloaded/ammo separate locked container. I didn't have extra time this trip. Otherwise, I normally go south through Poplar Bluff....stop for Dexter BBQ pork steak
....then cross at Poorairo...er, my bad....Cairo, continuing in KY and TN, bypassing Illannoy.- Joined
- Aug 3, 2025
- Messages
- 10
My thoughts while maybe not the smartest. I carry my gun incase poop hits the fan and i need to protect myself or family so I always have it no matter where. I guess Id rather take the chance than need it and not have it. I normally avoid traveling where I would not feel comfortable, some have no choice. Thankfully in 35+ years of carrying Iv never even thought about touching it.
We are all contestants in the daily Evil Dispensing Violence Lottery. On the day your winning name is called, there are no timeouts, no going home to get your gun/train/load. It is game on instantly. Be prepared to instantly deal decisively with Evil, or you're just a victim-in-waiting. Oct 2025, I found my Dad's rolling Craftsman tool cabinent blocking the pedestrain door of his garage when I stopped by to get something. Once I got the box moved enough to enter, I drew my flashlight and EDC, gun down by my left thigh. The box door block gave me a warning something was not right. But, it also gave a crackhead the same warning. When my flashlight swept the garage, he popped up from behind my '62 Vette, which I later learned he had been stripping, aggressively rounded the Vette tail with a 14" crowbar and heavy screwdriver in hands...gloves on so no fingerprints. I lit his eyes up with Crimson Trace red laser on my Kimber Micro 9 to get his attention, stopping mid chest. He immediately lost interest in the tools in hand. I got him a face full of concrete, called local Clown Corps. Had I not had the EDC, flashlight, readiness, I quite possibly might not be typing this today. That was the third time in 15yrs of carrying that I've had to employ my EDC to stop Evil . One never knows when their name wins the most important lottery of your life.
I agree. I guess I go by the old adage better to be tried by 12 than be carried by 6.
