Are We Allowed to have a gun in an RV for protection?

[fdwarren]

Is it legal to carry a firearm in an RV. I am not paranoid, but I like to be prepared.

[Reader1]

fdwarren wrote:
Thank you all for very good info. What a great forum this is. With so much of the world going to the dogs, I want to feel safe while I camp. I like the bear spray idea.
Do you find that the riff raff stays away from RV campgrounds?

I see you are new to this forum. Welcome! If you decide to carry bear spray, make sure to read the directions carefully, and understand that if you are down wind from spraying it will be incredibly painful. You asked if riff raff stay away from campgrounds. We have camped for 36+ years primarily in and around state and national parks and have never had any thefts or any concerns. I know others have but that is our experience. Only once were we next to a large group of loud, obnoxious drunks who carried on until the early morning hours. We were leaving the next day so we did not do anything... but we decided to leave about 5:30 a.m. and since their group was the only ones nearby, we were none to quiet. Sorry, probably not very nice.

[maillemaker]

I am a hunting gun owner and you folks that carry guns in your RVs for non-hunting reasons scare me. Even the police nowadays don't know when to use their guns and how many rounds to fire when they do use them ... that really spooks me relative to amateurs carrying them around.

Meh. CCW permit holders are less likely to be involved in any kind of crime, let alone firearm-related crime, than people without them. No need to be scared.

But even if you don't need a permit to transport or store in your RV, there's nothing to be afraid of.

There are something like 40-80 million firearm owners in the United States.

There are only 1.2 million violent crimes committed in the US every year.

Even if every single violent crime was committed by a gun owner, well over 90% of firearm owners could not be involved every year - there simply are not enough violent crimes to go around. And of course if you look only at firearm-related violent crime, the numbers are even better.

The vast majority of firearm owners are never involved in firearm-related crimes.

Don't be a Fudd. 🙂

[wbwood]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do what you want just be quiet about it. Just remember it's better to be tried by 8 than carried by 6.

Been a while since you had jury duty :H

I actually believe the saying is tried by 12 than carried by 6...or at least that's the way I see it.

I am an LEO (federal), but I don't deal with state laws. I don't even carry my service pistol away from my job. It get's locked up at work when I go home. I do not even own a firearm, with exception of a 1800' model shotgun and an old 410 that was my grandfathers (it's over 50 years old that I know of). I have no ammunition for either one and would be afraid to fire them if I had to. Bottom line is that I have yet to feel the need for that sort of personal protection. I don't put myself in predicaments that would indicate otherwise. If I get the slightest feeling that something is not right (and my intuituion has grown over the years of my work), then I remove myself. Will I always feel that way? I don't know. It may change. I do know that in about 27 years in the law enforcement career field, I have not changed yet. It may happen one day. But I think a lot of people put faith in a piece of metal. The best tool is the one between your ears. Even many police officers think they can control the situation with a gun on their side or in their hand. Many realize that they can not. The same goes for many many other people. If you ever get a chance, try the police officer training simulators that offer "shoot, don't shoot" scenarios. Most who have done them see that a split second judgement is not an easy choice. And although no one gets hurt in the simulators, it's even more stressful when you are being graded and evaluated on your decision that could result in your livelihood, heaven forbid, your life or the life of another.

So what do I carry for protection daily, away from work? Nothing. What do I use for protection at home? Strategically placed items. No firearms. I prefer the aluminum softball bat. A 9 iron is decent as well. 🙂

[pnichols]

I am a hunting gun owner and you folks that carry guns in your RVs for non-hunting reasons scare me. Even the police nowadays don't know when to use their guns and how many rounds to fire when they do use them ... that really spooks me relative to amateurs carrying them around.

Decades ago we used to carry a .22 on RV trips .... and the one time I went for it turned out to be a non-reason to do so.

We carry pepper spray in the RV, that's enough and I hope we never have to use it. A gun carried for "protection" can very easily turn out to be a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

[Old-Biscuit]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do what you want just be quiet about it. Just remember it's better to be tried by 8 than carried by 6.

Been a while since you had jury duty :H

[Cummins12V98]

Do what you want just be quiet about it. Just remember it's better to be tried by 8 than carried by 6.

[bcbouy]

kgragert wrote:
Don't forget Canada if you're heading north.
They have a No gun policy, even if locked in a gun safe.
You will be arrested if found with a firearm regardless of type.
They even arrested an American tourist that got on the wrong road and just tried to make a U-turn on the Canadian side of the border.

Bear pepper spray is a great idea, 30'-50' range, you can sweep a large area in a fraction of a second, and if you make a mistake it's non fatal.

this is why you should never rely on what you read on the web.that guy tried to cross the border with a loaded pistol without declaring it and got what he deserved.and i also travel with a defender pistol grip 12 ga.

[Tom_Barb]

kgragert wrote:

Really? And what part of it is BS?-----
Or the part about Canada's Zero gun policy?

That's it, they have a very definite gun policy. We live near Canada and go there quite often, You follow the rules you have no problems.

You really want to know about Canada's firearms laws go to the Canadian Firearms Centre web page and read.

[Nomadac]

fdwarren wrote:
Is it legal to carry a firearm in an RV. I am not paranoid, but I like to be prepared.

There is a difference between transporting a firearm in a vehicle/RV and carrying a firearm be it during travel or outside you RV.
Federal Laws specify how to transport firearms while traveling in a motor vehicle/RV.

State laws apply to carrying firearms on your person either concealed or open carry and vary by State.

The NRA has much information on their website, joining will provide much information to your benefit. I recommend you seek training with any firearm you choose and educate yourself on the laws on when you can use deadly force to protect yourself.
I would also recommend anyone that carries a firearm to have an Umbrella Insurance policy for liability if you shoot someone, as you may be sued.

Having and using a firearm requires a lot of responsibility.

[donandmax]

Tom/Barb wrote:

kgragert wrote:
Don't forget Canada if you're heading north.
They have a No gun policy, even if locked in a gun safe.
You will be arrested if found with a firearm regardless of type.
They even arrested an American tourist that got on the wrong road and just tried to make a U-turn on the Canadian side of the border.

Bear pepper spray is a great idea, 30'-50' range, you can sweep a large area in a fraction of a second, and if you make a mistake it's non fatal.

When you are found in Canada with out the proper paper work, you deserve what you get.

The rest of your message is BS and a rant of highest ignorance.

I don't think so the message is right on. Your in a world of trouble if you get caught with a gun in Canada and you can take that to the bank..

[DaHose]

Someone pointed out that the OP could have meant a long gun too.

I'll clarify. California has some pretty strict gun laws regarding transportation. The Titan pistol safe I linked earlier is the best thing around for transport. Both pistol and ammunition are in separate, locked compartments. Both can also be accessed by opening the single lock and flipping up the door.

Jose

[kgragert]

Tom/Barb wrote:

kgragert wrote:
Don't forget Canada if you're heading north.
They have a No gun policy, even if locked in a gun safe.
You will be arrested if found with a firearm regardless of type.
They even arrested an American tourist that got on the wrong road and just tried to make a U-turn on the Canadian side of the border.

Bear pepper spray is a great idea, 30'-50' range, you can sweep a large area in a fraction of a second, and if you make a mistake it's non fatal.

When you are found in Canada with out the proper paper work, you deserve what you get.

The rest of your message is BS and a rant of highest ignorance.

Really? And what part of it is BS?
The Bear Pepper Spray?
http://goo.gl/ybOHEg

Or the part about Canada's Zero gun policy?

Just because you don't know about it doesn't make it BS.

Case against U.S. man illustrates Canada's zero-tolerance gun policy
http://goo.gl/xlWV70

"Under Canadian law, Americans who want to bring up to three guns across the border must first fill out a form and pay a $25 fee in Canadian dollars. The weapons must be declared at the border post; the form serves as a 60-day gun permit in Canada.

"If you do not declare all firearms or weapons, we will seize them and you may face criminal charges," the Canada Border Services Agency warns on its website. "

[Oldme]

State laws vary greatly as do interpretations of a moving vehicle vs parked residence. Also there is no universal Reciprocal Agreements between states.

The one constant is what is "with in the range of control" at a given time.
That means "can you normally reach it"?
A firearm that is in a drawer at the rear is viewed differently than one
under the driver's seat.
Why?
Because a driver can not reach the one in the drawer and pose a threat to the LEO in a traffic stop.

[Tom_Barb]

kgragert wrote:
Don't forget Canada if you're heading north.
They have a No gun policy, even if locked in a gun safe.
You will be arrested if found with a firearm regardless of type.
They even arrested an American tourist that got on the wrong road and just tried to make a U-turn on the Canadian side of the border.

Bear pepper spray is a great idea, 30'-50' range, you can sweep a large area in a fraction of a second, and if you make a mistake it's non fatal.

When you are found in Canada with out the proper paper work, you deserve what you get.

The rest of your message is BS and a rant of highest ignorance.

[maillemaker]

The person who can answer your question is the Attorney General of whatever state you are going to be traveling in.