Article takeaways
- Under the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA), guns can legally be transported across state lines if they’re unloaded and not easily accessible to anyone in the vehicle — but state and local laws can still be more restrictive.
- State laws vary widely on locked container requirements, ammo storage, and permits — always research the laws of your destination state and any states you’ll pass through.
- Ammunition is classified as hazardous material under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, so most moving companies won’t transport it — plan to move it yourself or leave it behind.
- A Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer can help with legal transfers, shipping between states, and compliance with carrier policies like those from FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
- International moves require declaring firearms at customs and securing permits well in advance — some countries ban civilian firearm ownership entirely.
Safety, security, and care are high priorities for gun owners, and if you’re moving to a new home with a gun collection of any size, you’ll need to pay extra attention to make sure your firearms survive the trip without being damaged or breaking any laws. Hobbyists, collectors, hunters, and those who own even a single firearm for home and self-defense should take time to research the best practices for moving them safely.
Luckily, we’re here to help you get your guns from place to place without any issue. In this article, we’ll go over the recommended way to transport a firearm and break down some of the most important laws governing that transport. By the end, you should have a solid foundation of best practices and legal concerns to consider when you’re moving with guns.
What federal and state firearm transport laws should I know?
The most important federal law to know when transporting a firearm is the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA), which states in one of its provisions that guns can legally be taken across state lines, as long as they’re unloaded and not easily accessible by anyone in the vehicle. These stipulations prevent any criminal transport of firearms while protecting legal gun owners who are traveling between states where they can lawfully possess those guns.
To make sure you’re following the rules laid out in the FOPA, remove any magazines and chambered rounds from any firearms you’re transporting before you store them. Make sure they’re kept in locked containers out of reach by you or any passengers traveling with you, and keep those containers out of sight whenever possible.
However, the FOPA doesn’t mean it’s legal to transport firearms across state lines in every state. Research state and local ordinances to make sure you don’t run afoul of any more restrictive laws in an area where your permit may not be recognized.
Some state and local firearm legal concerns to look out for:
- Permit reciprocity. If you hold a concealed carry permit in your current home state, it may not be recognized in another state. Make sure your permit is valid and file for a new permit in your future home state if you need to.
- Magazine capacity restrictions. In many states, such as New Jersey and Colorado, otherwise legal firearms can be restricted if their magazines are larger than the legal limit. Check local laws to make sure your firearm magazines aren’t over capacity.
- Transportation through restrictive states. Even if you’re following FOPA regulations, transporting a firearm through a state where firearm ownership is restricted can lead to legal issues if you’re stopped and your vehicle is searched.
How do I check if my firearms are legal in my new home state or country?
It’s best to contact a lawyer or firearms expert to understand any restrictive gun laws in the place you’re moving to. Some states and countries will allow you to keep your guns as is; others can restrict accessories, put a cap on magazine capacities, or ban guns entirely. If you’re moving to another country, you may need to fully reapply for a permit to import your guns.
In the worst case, you may need to sell, modify, or store your firearms or accessories before you move. For example, if you’re moving to a state with a ban on flash suppressors and folding stocks, you’ll need to have those components removed from your gun and sold before you can take it with you.
Some things to make sure you pay attention to when researching gun laws:
- Check your gun collection against banned firearm lists, searching by name and feature to ensure your specific model isn’t restricted.
- Check if any accessories you may have equipped to your guns (such as suppressors, pistol braces, and folding stocks) are allowed or restricted.
- Determine whether your new state or country requires you to apply for a new firearm permit, and do so as far in advance as possible.
- Check if your new state or country has restrictions on magazine sizes or ammunition calibers, and make sure they don’t apply to the guns you own before moving.
Who can I consult to make sure I’m taking the right measures when moving with a firearm?
While some moves are simple and only require you to properly unload and conceal a firearm while driving, others may require you to legally transfer ownership or undergo new background checks before transport. A Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer can help you comply with these requirements while also offering a safe and legal way to ship your guns from place to place; FFL dealers can ship guns between each other without much legal hassle.
Depending on the shipping carrier you want to use, it may be mandatory for you to ship your firearm through an FFL dealer. For example, shipping carriers such as FedEx and UPS have policies that require firearms to be shipped from one FFL to another while frowning upon individuals shipping them themselves. The USPS, on the other hand, only allows firearm shipments from licensees to other licensees under specific conditions.
It’s important to make sure the FFL dealer you’re working with is reputable and has a thorough understanding of state firearm laws, both where they are and where you’re going. Ask them about any fees you’ll need to pay and any documentation you should have on hand when initiating a firearm transfer. Make sure you and the dealer have accurate, detailed logs of all communications, transfer receipts, and approvals during the whole process in case any legal issues arise.
When in doubt, get in touch with a firearms attorney. These experts have a thorough understanding of federal and local laws around guns, and consulting them can help you avoid costly legal issues. Working with a firearms attorney will make sure you don’t accidentally overstep any laws around transfers or registration, and you’ll have proper guidance if you’re moving to a state with drastically different laws than the ones where you live.
How do I secure firearms out of reach during transport?
In most cases, following the guidelines in the FOPA will keep you from running into any trouble with the law while transporting firearms from state to state. However, some states have specific laws to know when you’re getting ready to move with guns; let’s go over some of the more restrictive ones so you know what you’re getting into.
| State | Locked container required? | Ammo stored separately? | Permit required for transport? | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | Yes | No for transport, yes for possession | Firearms must be stored in a trunk or locked case. Assault weapons are heavily restricted. |
| Texas | No, but it’s recommended | No | No | Firearms can be openly carried in a vehicle if they’re not in plain view. |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Yes (requires a special license) | Strict laws on transporting guns; high-capacity magazines are banned. |
| Florida | Yes (if loaded) | No (if unloaded) | No | Handguns must be kept in a secured case if they’re loaded. |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes (requires an FOID (Firearm Owners Identification) card) | Firearms must be unloaded and enclosed in a case or a trunk. |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Yes | Extremely strict transport laws; make sure to avoid stops with firearms visible. |
| Arizona | No | No | No | Extremely permissive transport laws; research surrounding states before you travel with a firearm. |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Yes | You must have a valid LTC (license to carry) and firearms must be transported in a locked case. |
Remember, this chart isn’t exhaustive and state laws are subject to change. Always make sure you research current firearm laws before you move with them.
Rules of thumb when moving with firearms
Follow these steps to ensure you’re complying with most federal and state laws while you transport your firearms.
- Keep your firearm permits, licenses, and other documents easily accessible in case you need to present them.
- Regardless of laws, unload all firearms before transporting them (for both legal and safety concerns).
- Store firearms in locked, hard-sided containers (not gloveboxes or consoles) to make sure they aren’t easily accessible or stolen.
- Keep firearm containers in the trunk or rear cargo area of your vehicle, out of sight if possible.
Make sure you’re following laws such as 18 U.S. Code § 926A (the Peaceable Journey Act provision of the FOPA), which states that:
If your vehicle doesn’t have a trunk or a “compartment separate from the driver’s compartment”, any guns or ammunition need to be stored in a locked container other than the glovebox or console.
A few more rules of thumb to consider:
- Label your containers clearly if traveling through states that permit it, but avoid markings that draw unnecessary attention.
- Do not store firearms in roof racks or external storage pods, as these may not qualify as secure containers.
- Do not try to transport firearms with a moving company, unless they’re licensed to transport them with an FFL and a Motor Carrier Permit from the California Highway Patrol.
Can I transport ammunition alongside my household goods?
No. Under U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), ammunition of any kind is considered hazardous. Most moving companies won’t allow you to pack or transport ammunition due to fire risk, potential liability, and insurance restrictions, so it’s often recommended that you leave it behind entirely.
If you must transport ammunition, pack it yourself in a secure, climate-stable vehicle, making sure it’s stored separately from firearms and kept in a fireproof, labeled container during the move. If you’re flying with or shipping items, check with your airline or carrier before trying to move with ammunition, as many do not allow you to travel with it or only allow it under strict packaging guidelines.
You should also double-check the laws at your intended destination to make sure any ammunition you’re transporting isn’t over the legal limit, and that you have the proper permits and documentation that allow you to travel with it.
All ammunition is a fire hazard, but expired and questionable ammunition is the most dangerous in heat. Make sure you safely dispose of any that isn’t in perfect condition (or that you want to leave behind) at a local gun range, police department, or hazardous waste disposal facility before you move. In a worst-case scenario, ammunition can catch fire or explode under extreme heat.
What’s the recommended way to declare firearms for an international move?
Moving between countries with firearms is much more complicated than transporting them within the U.S. If you’re moving abroad, you’ll need to declare your firearms at customs, and most other countries will present you with a completely different set of laws and cultural expectations around gun ownership.
Unlike in the U.S., some countries ban civilian firearms altogether, while others restrict them harshly. Ignoring these laws can lead to serious consequences, including confiscation, fines, or arrest.
If you plan on moving to another country with your gun collection, do the following to prepare:
- Research the import laws in specific countries to see if firearms are banned, and if not, what specific types are allowed.
- Apply for international licenses or permits far ahead of time, as processing can take from weeks to months.
- Confirm the paperwork required for shipping or carrying firearms across international borders, such as export forms or proof of ownership.
- Keep physical and digital copies of permits and customs declarations on you during travel in case you’re questioned.
- Contact the consulate or customs agency of your destination country well in advance to ensure whether you need proof of a legitimate purpose for firearm import, such as hunting or collecting.
How can I properly store my guns after I move with them?
Once you’ve properly checked the laws, stored your firearms in containers, gotten your permits up to date, and moved to your new home, your next concern should be storing your firearms securely and safely. While there are legal concerns around safe firearm storage, following the best practices will also make sure your investment in them is protected and they’re kept out of the wrong hands, whether that means thieves or children.
For the best protection, keep your firearms in a gun safe or locked container, with ammunition kept in a separate location. Different states will have different laws around gun storage, so make sure you check them before drawing out your storage setup.
Anchor your gun safe to the floor if possible to make sure any thieves don’t try to take the entire safe. Keep a detailed log of your firearms, including make, model, and serial number, in case you ever need to report them stolen or file insurance claims. Install a dehumidifier rod if necessary to keep your firearms from rusting or other moisture damage, especially if you’re moving to a humid climate.
If you live with children, proper storage is even more of a must to keep your family safe. Consider installing biometric locks, tamper alert systems, or a system where your safe keys are kept in a separate location so unauthorized individuals can’t get in. For maximum protection, you may want to invest in a firearm storage unit with a facility that offers them.
How can I stay safe and legal while transporting and storing firearms?
By now, you should understand the recommended way to transport a firearm. It may be a more complicated process than transporting most other items, but as long as you pay attention to federal and state laws, securely store your guns in locked containers, and take the right measures to update your permits, you won’t run into any problems. Knowing which firearms are legal at your destination, how to transport them safely, and how to store them responsibly when you arrive will ensure your investment is protected, your family is safe, and you aren’t running afoul of any laws.
If you’re looking to store your collection during a move or keep it secure in a facility once you’re moved in, we can help with that as well. SelfStorage.com‘s built-in search tool can help you find storage facilities along your route or near your destination, compare prices and get discounts, and filter out the ones that don’t have secure firearm storage units. Whether it’s a temporary solution during a cross-country move or a long-term setup for your firearm safe, there’s a cost-effective storage solution for you.
