Gun Law in The United States - Transporting Firearms

Transporting Firearms

• Firearms are generally prohibited on property in any K-12 school. This is mostly governed by state law instead of federal law, although a federal law does bar most such possession. A small number of states will allow concealed carry by permit holders on school property. In Utah, public schools (higher education and K-12 that receive state funding) are specifically required to allow permit holders to carry concealed on campus. A larger number of states allow some gun owners, most often concealed carry permit holders, to have their guns in their vehicles while on campus to attend, or transport others to or from, a school event.

• A provision of federal law serves as a defense to state or local laws which would prohibit the passage of persons with firearms in interstate travel: Notwithstanding any state or local law, a person shall be entitled to transport a firearm from any place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and transport such firearm if the firearm is unloaded and in a locked container. In vehicles without a locked container, the unloaded firearm shall be in a locked box other than the glove compartment or console.

• Federal law prohibits the carrying of any firearm, concealed or unconcealed, on or about the person or in carry-on baggage while aboard a commercial aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established certain requirements for transporting firearms and ammunition. Firearms must be carried in a locked hard sided case. Ammunition must be declared and can be transported in checked baggage or in the same container as the firearm as long as the firearm is unloaded.

• Any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce must deliver the unloaded firearm into custody of the pilot, captain, conductor, or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip.

• The Wicker Amendment is United States federal legislation to allow rail travellers to put properly licensed, unloaded guns in checked Amtrak baggage. It reverses a decade-long ban on such carriage and came into effect on 15 December 2010. The policy change was promoted by the National Rifle Association and United States Senator Roger Wicker.