TorontoRVGuy

I have been transporting my handguns from Canada into the USA via New York State and Via Michigan (neither of which I am licensed for) for ten years or more. No problem and I DECLARE THEM TO THE FOLKS AT THE BORDER! They are transported through states where I am not licensed to carry concealed in two small safes from Harbour Freight. One for the handgun(s) and the other for the ammo and ULOADED magazines (a loaded magazine is considered the same as a loaded gun in some states). FOPA permits you to transport through states where you do not have a valid permit and at last count I was good in about 40 states with 4 permits done by mail, after training. You need to be familiar with not only FOPA and interstate transport rules, but also on the specific STATE law regarding transporting a firearm in a motor vehicle as many states permit transporting a LOADED firearm in your vehicle for protection. The best source for current information is the state website. Having said all of this I would be very careful about transporting through New Jersey, for example, as they are in another world. We leave our guns in PA when zipping across to NJ to visit relatives and pick them up when we resume our trip. I believe that a handgun or shotgun is absolutely essential, as is a fire extinguisher, when travelling. We have had occasion to protect ourselves TWICE in the past ten years. Once in Orlando Florida.... we did not have the handgun close at hand and escaped by the Grace of God. And also in Toronto, Ontario when our home was subject to an attempted home invasion (we unlocked the safe and took out our weapon in 30 seconds.... having to grab a magazine (loaded) and insert it). We made no bones to the 911 operator that the perps would be leaving feet first if they gained access to our home as they had 4 foot steel prybars and handguns and we were in fear for our lives. The LEO's took them down at gunpoint 60 seconds later. We were very lucky. Do I believe, personally, in firearms for protection? I am 60 and partially disabled. I could never protect my family without a firearm and I have no intention of being a willing foolish victim. I also outfit my home and vehicles with smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and hope that I never have to use them. Oh... you also need to know, state by state, where you CANNOT take your firearm under any circumstances, like within a certain distance of a school, a post office, rest stops in some states, etc. BUT AGAIN, you need to know the exact law for each state as you travel through them and abide by them. I cannot carry in Canada, but I CAN and DO keep firearms in the home, stored safely with combo trigger locks and in a safe. Takes 15 seconds to get them out and keeps them away from those that might misuse them or whatever. Combo trigger locks at $12-15 each add to the expense of the guns as do the safes, but better safe than sorry. It is a criminal offense in many parts to store firearms UNsafely. For what it's worth. Just sayin'.

There is a tremendous amount of misinformation and speculation on this forum, in this thread and others. I have only this to say. (a) It is better to have a firearm and not need it than to need a firearm and not have one. ( Read the Federal Laws, State Laws and Canadian Laws thoroughly before and WHILST traveling. The change that fast! You need to know what is legal and what is not legal in each jurisdiction you are traveling through. U.S. FEDERAL LAW permits you to transport from one place where it is legal to have a gun in your possession to another place where it is legal to have a gun in your possession under specific terms and conditions. You need to not only know the fine points and have a copy of this federal law laminated and with you, but you need to have the laws of each and every state that you are going to traverse firmly planted in your head and understood. There are still states that do not permit magazines greater than 10 rounds for example. There are states that do not permit threaded barrels that could be used to carry a silencer or shroud of any kind, and so on. YOU MUST know the laws of each and every state you are traversing; take your laptop with you. You want protection? (And trust me, from personal experience) YOU need to take the time and effort to know the rules. Regrettably they are not the same and we can only hope that some day they will be universal like driver's licenses.... ha. Do not take speculation as gospel because it is just that... speculation. Simply because it is in print does not make it true or valid advice. As Ayoob says "Officer, I was in fear of imminent personal grievous bodily harm or death to myself or my loved ones and the assailant simply would not stop. I am feeling sick and in a state of shock right now and would like a lawyer by my side before I say anything more with all due respect" And Ayoob is a cop. Take the advice.

Urban legend - wasp spray is the biggest farce I have ever heard. IT DOES NOT WORK. Except if it comes in contact with wasps or your eyes. Neither does an air horn half the time and neither does the so-called "bear spray". Get into the eyesight of a hungry or angry bear and make sure that they mention this in your obiturary. What DOES work is a good 12 guage pump loaded with Dduplex rounds. One good hit will put the bear down - and please PLEASE don't feel sorry for the bear but rather feel sorry for the next person the bear comes into contact with as that bear has lost its fear of the human animal and will just as soon maul you for pleasure or eat you for hunger as have a poop in the woods. If you are going to travel into the remote regions you have got to know the rules. Taking refuge in your RV is not much better help either as a matter of interest - they will tear the doors off and tear the windows out in quest of food; in any event and at the least making a pretty good mess of things. The fellow coming out of the woods with a 12 guage mentioned in another post? The officer that got together with him was looking for his registration papers, hunting license, a cold beer or a break out of the sun in good company. NO BIGGIE I can assure you. I have been stopped a number of times while transporting (legally) firearms of all sorts and all they have wanted is my drivers license and registration paper for the firearm(s) and "have a nice day". The stop has never taken more than two or three minutes and you can rest somewhat more easily in knowing that these officers were out there in harm's way protecting us.... lately, paying the supreme price (we have lost two in the last month in these parts. One resulting in the largest police funeral in local history.) So, please, guys and gals, don't always assume the worst. Know the rules, especially in Canada and when travelling from state to state. I have permits to carry concealed from most states.... I refuse to transport through New Jersey amongst other states - they just 'don't get it'... and pay no attention to Federal law. I was advised by several from NJ to leave my handguns at home. I have a cousin in PA and left them there.

Sorry. Hate to correct you but last week, if you check the papers (google) a couple were EATEN by a Black Bear out west. Make no mistake that Canada is getting worse all the time as far as the bad guys are concerned - having a Remington 870 loaded with 12 guage Dduplex rounds IN the RV at night is probably not a bad idea; during the day you have to transport unloaded and locked up... read up. Forget the bear spray and the pepper spray.... you have obviously never seen a Black bear or a Grizzly on the trot. They can cover 21 feet faster than any human can and when they reach you it is game over. You will never have a chance to use the bear spray. A few years ago the Department of Natural Resources gave a seminar on Black Bear defence. Wear those little sleigh bells so as not to startle them and carry bear spray (and hopefully it doesn't blow back into your eyes). And how do I know if there are bears in the area so I don't have to walk around with bear spray in my hand all the time? I asked. It is very simple.... keep your eyes open for Black Bear feces on the ground. And how to recognize same? Easy again! It smells like pepper and has shiny little wee bells in it. Whatever. I'm going with the 12 guage. The bear wants to attack me it is going to be seriously screwed if I have time to get a shot away.

It is a serious offense to possess an unregistered firearm of any kind in Canada these days; plans are underway to scrap the long gun registry but all can be taken care of by phone and fax; visit the Canada Firearms Centre online for full details. Try visiting http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/visit-visite-eng.htm. For $25 and ten minutes of your time you can obtain a permit and registration for up to three non-prohibited weapons, good for two months and renewable without charge by a simple telephone call. Have a look around the site. If you are a regular visitor to Canada you may wish to get a proper long term permit and register your handguns, obtaining ATT's for them (authorization to transport). As an American I have all of the above along with a long term ATT that permits me travel throughout the country and to border points to/from the USA. This is my first visit to this site and I am pleased to be able to clear up some misinformation. You should also take the time to read up on legal transportation and carry of handguns (NOT permitted to be carried without a specific ATT given for protection against wildlife). And while you are at it, with the Remington 870 12 guage, I highly recommend having a look at the latest in defensive rounds by Dduplex at their website. Expansion to 1.5" of rotating steel fanblade coming out of the barrel and impact with such high energy as to liquify the innards of the bear that wants you for lunch. Imagine what an off-the-mark hit to an intruder might do? Nudge, Nudge. Wink, Wink. What's this about Orlando hitting the top ten most violent cities in North America? The home of Mickey? I had an attempted carjacking last time I was there. Bumped from the back, driver walks to my window and taps on it with the BIGGEST honkin' revolver I ever did see from the wrong end of the barrel. He was high as a kite, so the minute the lights turned green we floored it, pedal to the metal and were lucky he did not open fire. My last trip to Florida unarmed.... I saw him coming from 35 feet away but could not get away due to cross traffic. We will be buying a place in FL this fall so will take up residency there for half the year. And get a permit to carry as soon as humanly possible. No worries about traveling through Canada with handguns or long guns; just know the rules and get your paperwork in order for $25 in advance by fax or mail. Happy Travels!