Future travel quandary....

[blume357]

So, I'm fixing to have to travel to Portland Oregon for a week (yes, I know) on business and then spend another week in National Parks in Washington State.... Since I can't conceal carry in either of these states and it seems even though open carry is legal it is not really recommended (on top of that, my wife who's traveling with me would not like it) I'm trying to decide if I want to go through the hassle of declaring a firearm in my checked luggage and then just having it in my luggage (unloaded) during all (most) my travels....

Part of me wants to do this just on principle... but then its like why some folks here still live in certain states with crazy gun laws... sometimes you just have to suck it up and go with the flow... I did spend a week out of the country a year and a half ago ... unarmed.

All suggestions and comments are welcome.

 

[pisgah]

I am driving to Seattle at the end of next week to go to court, get appointed as Administrator of my late sister-in-law's estate, and settle her affairs. Every state I will travel through, except Illinois and Washington, recognizes my concealed carry permit. In those two exceptions, the gun will be unloaded and kept in a locked case in accordance with the law. I will be my usual situationally-aware self, and will not be concerned.

I believe in, and exercise, my right to carry. But I don't neglect the fact that overall this country is , when it comes to violent crime, far safer than when I was in high school 40+ years ago. Enjoy your trip -- I intend to enjoy mine.

 

[CGDustDevil]

I would not subject myself to the risks associated with carrying a firearm in any kind of mass transit. Most especially airlines! There's just so many things that can go wrong, it's simply not worth it in my view. You don't know where the aircraft is going to divert to, or what flights may be cancelled, etc. The most common problems encountered have to do with people in positions of 'authority' not understanding, or misinterpreting the laws. The trouble is that the 'authorities' get to be right, even when they're wrong. And you will get to be wrong, even if you're right.

Then there's the little matter of theft - Even if YOU don't get into any trouble, there is a very real risk of losing the weapon. (I've had tons of stuff stolen from my bags over the years)

I highly recommend sucking it up or driving.

 

[Conservative]

At least get a tactical pen for both of you.

The majority of times they get overlooked by the most scrutinizing air port gestapo.

 

[wolfsong]

If I am not mistaken, you CAN carry in the National Parks, compliments of Obama.

*Upon further review, one must conform to the carry laws of the host state while in a National Park. Oops. Sorry.

 

[WAYNO]

If you want a firearm with you during your travels in Oregon or Washington, it will be a non-issue, other than compliance (or not) of concealed carry laws. The biggest obstacle to me is the firearms/airlines issue. I also don't trust them, and I don't care for the treatment I've received in the past when declaring firearms are part of my checked luggage. If a feller still feels he needs to trust the airlines with his firearms, that just might be the perfect time to own an inconsequential pistol, that if lost , would not be a huge financial loss.

 

[blume357]

I've flown a number of times in the last couple of years and declared firearms in my checked luggage. Very very little problems have I had. It is really not that big a deal. Generally you walk up to the check in counter and tell them you want to declare a firearm and they ask you a number of questions (all making sure you have followed TSA rules on packing it)... sometimes they will ask you to open your luggage and show them... but as of late usually not. TSA is going to scan the heck out of it once it goes to the back. then you are supposed to wait near the check out counter for 10-15 minutes and then you are good to go. Y'all know if you have a smart phone, tablet or laptop you can check and see where your checked luggage is just about anywhere while traveling via airplane?

 

[WAYNO]

If you are comfortable with the airlines, then I would bring a firearm. Having or traveling with a firearm in either state is a non-issue, as long as CCW laws are not ignored.

 

[Specs]

When driving through Illinois you can have a concealed, loaded handgun in your car if you have an out of state ccw. To quote:

430 ILCS 66/40

(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident: (1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under federal law; (2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and (3) is not in possession of a license under this Act. If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-63, eff. 7-9-13.)

 

[pisgah]

If you are comfortable with the airlines, then I would bring a firearm. Having or traveling with a firearm in either state is a non-issue, as long as CCW laws are not ignored.

While I am unfamiliar with Oregon law, I have studied up on Washington state law since I am going there later this week.

First of all, WA does not recognize our SC permits, so concealed carry on our permits is out. Open carry is legal in most places, although there are exceptions. One of these is in an automobile. If you do not have a permit recognized by WA, you may not carry a loaded gun in an automobile, whether openly or concealed. It should be unloaded and in a location not accessible to you, such as the trunk or in a locked case. There are also various local ordinances in the state regarding open carry. Frankly, for me the idea of open carry is not appealing, especially in a state where I do not reside and do not know the laws by heart.

While I am there my well-disguised self-defense pen/baton and my well-cultivated situational awareness will have to suffice. I am driving this time, and every state I will pass through except IL recognizes my permit, but on airplanes I fall back on my favorite "deep cover" deadly weapons -- a couple of freshly-sharpened pencils. Don't think I can kill you with a pencil? Surprise! You're dead...

 

[blume357]

Still up in the air, and have been putting off discussing with my wife who I think I know what she will say. the first week in Portland is simple... city does not allow any loaded guns... can't even have a loaded magazine... but once we get up to Washington state..... the real problem is the combination of 1/2 day hikes in national parks and actually gong in and out of the federal buildings in the same... and as I've mentioned not being able to carry concealed in the State. May just have to go with a can of bear spray.

 

[BearBio]

Washington and Oregon National Parks don't have any dangerous animals except for moose. Grizzlies are VERY RARE. The ONLY chance to see one would possibly be in the back country of North Cascades. A lot of black bear but they are pretty non-aggressive. A mountain goat did gore a guy to death a few years ago. Wolves are a non-issue.

Two-legged issues: I've taken the tram all through Portland many times, at all hours with no issues. It can be.......interesting? Seattle? I don't know. Haven't had issues at Pikes, Space Needle or zoo, day or night. I do carry a pocket knife.

Washington is one of the easiest states to get a permit. I have a Utah non-resident and a Washington resident. Bought a G43 last night=took 1/2 hour, largely due to BS'ing with the clerk. My first permit took me 10 days to get; each renewal has been a week or less.

 

[bogus bill]

I have simply lived by the old saying "Concealed means concealed" most my life.
No trouble yet but have had to dance and talk a little maybe three times out of over fifty five years.

 

[blume357]

As a side note... went back to the range today.. I had forgotten to see how well sighted in the laser was on my Sig 290 (double action sub compact pistol) last time I was there.... damn thing is dead on at 20 ft...(3-4" groups) then shot my Sig 250 compact (another double action only pistol and the one I was thinking about taking with me) easily kept it all in a 6" circle at 20ft... then shot both my Sig 226's and they shot really well... 3-4" groups shooting fast... then for some reason I had thrown in one of my Ruger P95 decock onlys and decided to put 10 rounds through it.... damn 2" group.... it ain't supposed to be that way... a thousand dollar pistol (either of the two Sig 226s) is supposed to shoot much better than a out dated $250 one....

 

[welder]

Come on Blume, you know those old P95's can't shoot......... :wink: I witnessed the same thing about a month ago at the range when a died in the wool CZ fan tried my old P89. He remains a CZ fan but has a new found respect for the Ruger.

 

[blume357]

Check in and firearm declaration was a little different but not a problem. For some reason last night I decided to take my Sig P250 out of my the case I was taking and replaced it with a RUGER P95. I'll explain better when I'm back on my lap top top

 

[blume357]

Back on my laptop where I can actually type and just make my normal mistakes...

Firearm declaration was simple and easy.... just had to open my checked back and show him the locked box and so he could put the red tag on it.... then he asked me to step down to the end of the counter and wait. That was the new part... minute later a TSA guy steps out if the back and ask me if I'm the guy with the firearm and I say "yes" and he says "okay you are good to go." Much quicker and easier than the sit and wait for 10 to 15 minutes and if no one calls you you can go on up to the next hurdle. Picking it up at my destination was easy too... just had to show an I.D. and they did not wrap the bag with nylon ties this time. I would love to see the machine they use to 'scan' your luggage....

 

[WAYNO]

Firearm declaration was simple and easy.... just had to open my checked back and show him the locked box and so he could put the red tag on it.... then he asked me to step down to the end of the counter and wait. That was the new part... minute later a TSA guy steps out if the back and ask me if I'm the guy with the firearm and I say "yes" and he says "okay you are good to go." Much quicker and easier than the sit and wait for 10 to 15 minutes and if no one calls you you can go on up to the next hurdle. Picking it up at my destination was easy too... just had to show an I.D. and they did not wrap the bag with nylon ties this time. I would love to see the machine they use to 'scan' your luggage....

I am pleased to hear this. Maybe they're finally figuring it out, at least a little.

 

[welder]

Check in and firearm declaration was a little different but not a problem. For some reason last night I decided to take my Sig P250 out of my the case I was taking and replaced it with a RUGER P95. I'll explain better when I'm back on my lap top top

Blume, we'd still would like to hear about the Ruger replacing the Sig part?

 

[blume357]

To be honest it had to do more with just potentially being cheap. The reason I checked a gun and brought it with me is pretty much because I can and if we don't exercise what little 'rights' we have left then we will lose those. I have no plans to use the gun, heck if I thought I was going to need to defend myself with it.. I'd stay home. But you never know. So, back to the cheap... I had to go yesterday and look in my database to figure out where this P95 came from.... fellow forum member here from VA that pretty much gave me the gun....( aaronrb204) I figured it something happened along the way and the authorities decided to confiscate it this was the better one to lose. total investment was $235. But also, I have to say when I shot it last week it was dead on and performed flawlessly. I still say Ruger evolved to perfection on a semi-auto with the P95 and could not improve it and that's one of the reasons they quit making it.... but they seem be driving by the marketing idea of people have to have new and improved and that is what they strive to sell regardless of whether it is or not.
Portland is one screwy town... fun but screwy... I hate to say it in a different life I'd probably live here or at least near here.

 

[Doc Holliday]

This mess of different laws is exactly why we need National Reciprocity, and we must bring Cali, NY and Illinois to bended knee on this issue.

 

[blume357]

Gun declaration at the Portland airport was a tad different this morning... after declaring at the check in desk and getting my boarding pass I was then directed to take my checked bag with the gun in it down to a TSA counter where a woman used a sniffer to go all around inside the bag and the different pouches and such I had in the checked bag... but she did not ask me to unlock the case with the Ruger P95 in it.

then going through TSA pre-check I set off the metal detector.... late? I was about 5 ft away when It finally went off... now I'm speculating about that... so, I had to get microwaved and then that highlighted my boots and the TSA guy had to swab those..... but not really a problem.... then when I finally made it through discovered my wife had left her swiss army knife in her carry on.... this is the first time I've seen a special kiosk where you can ship the item home for a fee....

Irony of the whole thing is as I've mentioned before.... they give you metal eating utensils in first class... pretty sharp table knife that I'm not sure what I was going to use it for with my scrambled eggs with sausage.....or the fruit bowl.