Transporting firearms

[dburkhead]

Not sure if this is exactly the right forum but a question about Indiana law regarding transporting firearms.

I don't have a carry permit (yet) but I do like to go to the range from time to time. Now, I am given to understand that its okay to transport firearms provided they are not readily to hand (like in the back of my Explorer) and unloaded when one is going to or from things like hunting, the range, purchase/sale of firearms, etc.

The particular issue I'm wondering about is a bit more complicated. There's a range about 6 minutes from where I work. I'd like to stash my guns in the car, go to work, then run down to the range during my lunch break to spend about half an hour shooting.

Legal or not?

[TraderJack]

If you have a permit, don't worry about how you carry to the range, just get there safe with all your gear.

However, if you do not have a permit, the weapon must be transported in a 'secure wrapper'. And you may not have ready access to it, that means in the trunk.

You may want to read up before you get popped.

(I found the link I wanted for ya...)
HERE

[kludge]

Unless you are moving from one residense to another or from one business to another, taking it home/business from the place of purchase, or taking it to a gun shop for repair, you may not transport a handgun,

not in a car,
not in the trunk,
not in a tree,
Sam let me be!

sorry...

*ahem*

You have to have a permit to go target shooting at the local range/the back 40 a grandad's farm/hunting, etc.

Purchase/Sale/repair/moving, yes, that's legal, as long as it's in a "secure wrapper".

The law doesn't define "secure wrapper" but I would lock it in a case or in the trunk.

[kludge]

IC 35-47-2-1
Carrying a handgun without a license or by person convicted of domestic battery
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and section 2 of this chapter, a person shall not carry a handgun in any vehicle or on or about the person's body, except in the person's dwelling, on the person's property or fixed place of business, without a license issued under this chapter being in the person's possession.
(b) Unless the person's right to possess a firearm has been restored under IC 35-47-4-7, a person who has been convicted of domestic battery under IC 35-42-2-1.3 may not possess or carry a handgun in any vehicle or on or about the person's body in the person's dwelling or on the person's property or fixed place of business.

IC 35-47-2-2
Excepted persons
Sec. 2. Section 1 of this chapter does not apply to:
(1-10) [special people], or
(11) any person while carrying a handgun unloaded and in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his dwelling or fixed place of business, or to a place of repair or back to his dwelling or fixed place of business, or in moving from one dwelling or business to another.

[TraderJack]

Roger that kludge! Thanks for the correction.

[dburkhead]

Those are Handgun rules, but what my rifle (Ruger 10/22)? Is there any problem with having that in the Explorer so I can swing by the range during my lunch break.

[NEOCON]

You are good to go with a long arm as long as the barrel is I believe longer than 16" is what the rules state. I also believe you can go redneck style with it in the back window of your pickup if you want.
The License to carry handgun (what you are calling a permit) is for handguns which law states has a barrel less than 16" long. It does not affect any long arms.

[dburkhead]

Thanks. Just wanted to check.

So, basically, per Indiana law I can't take a handgun to the range until I get a permit but rifle/shotgun is okay.

[karlsgunbunker]

Originally Posted by dburkhead

Thanks. Just wanted to check.

So, basically, per Indiana law I can't take a handgun to the range until I get a permit but rifle/shotgun is okay.

Correct!

[W9ZEB]

Originally Posted by dburkhead

Thanks. Just wanted to check.

So, basically, per Indiana law I can't take a handgun to the range until I get a permit but rifle/shotgun is okay.

Federal Law preempts this.....

First, here is a topic from the BATF Site FAQ's Section:

(B7) May a nonlicensee transport firearms for sporting or other lawfulpurposes?Yes. Federal law provides a person, who is not prohibited by the GCAfrom receiving or transporting firearms, the right to transport a firearmunder certain conditions, notwithstanding State or local law to the contrary.The firearms must be unloaded and in a locked trunk or, in a vehicle lacking atrunk, in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. Also, the carrying and possession must be lawful at the place of origin anddestination.[18 U.S.C. 926A, 27 CFR 178.38]

Here is the actual Federal law they refer to. I give all my friends and customer's a card with this printed on it to stick in with each firearm they are transporting just in case they need to educate local officials:

§ 178.38 Transportation of firearms. Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any politicalsubdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping,or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place wheresuch person may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where such person may lawfullypossess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither thefirearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from thepassenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without acompartment separate from the driver's compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a lockedcontainer other than the glove compartment or console.

(A good synonym for Notwithstanding is Despite)