Safeload Coverage
If you own firearms, it’s important to do your due diligence prior to when you move guns from your old home to your new home. It’s critical to make sure you follow safe and legal gun transportation procedures.
Moving Help can help you with our gun safe service. Our moving labor makes sure to take care of your moving guns needs. Our guide will go over understanding the legal aspect for when moving your guns, how to plan for a smooth move with your guns, what steps to take when packing your guns, and ensuring the safety and security of your guns.
Additionally, we’ll discuss communicating with Moving Help® Service Providers about your guns, and some additional tips to keep in mind when trying to figure out how to move firearms.
Understanding the Legalities
Before you even begin packing your guns, you need to familiarize yourself with local, state, and federal laws. If you have a short-distance move within the same state, you won’t have to worry about other state’s gun laws.
If you have a long-distance move that requires you to move through several states, you’ll need to take the time to familiarize yourself with those local and state laws as well.
According to The Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986, also known as “The Peaceable Journey Law,” individuals who legally carry guns to move guns across states where they don’t have a valid, legal permit. The act does require individuals to have a permit at the origin and destination state.
For example, if you moved from Texas to Washington, you’d need a legal permit for Texas and Washington. You wouldn’t need a legal permit for New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, or Oregon.
Research is imperative to figure out the specific regulations for interstate moves. A government website can provide useful and reliable information for moving guns.
Finally, you should make sure that you obtain the necessary permits and documentation for your guns. Every situation is different. Since the United States doesn’t have a universal set of rules when it comes to moving guns, individuals need to understand all the intricate rules and laws.
Planning for a Smooth Move
To plan for a smooth move, you need to assess your firearms collection and determine the transportation requirements for each firearm.
Whether you decide to transport your guns in a U-Haul truck rental or bring them with you in your car, you need to make sure you select the most suitable option. Ammunition and firearms can’t go in a U-Box container.
You’ll also want to consider any additional security measures for your firearms. If you have children or pets, you’ll want to make sure they can’t get to your firearm collection when you move guns.
Packing to Move Firearms
You should make sure you properly disassemble all guns. Since you’re disassembling your guns, you should take the time to clean your gun as well, especially if you haven’t kept up with cleaning maintenance recently.
You need to choose the appropriate packaging materials and containers for when you move firearms. You’ll want bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and heavy-duty moving boxes that are slightly larger than your firearms. If you want some step-by-step instructions, check out this packing firearms U-Haul article.
After you’re finished packing and the firearms are safely secured in the moving vehicle, this will help prevent damage during transit.
Ensuring Safety and Security When Moving Guns
Safety and security should be paramount when you move firearms, which is why you need to think not only about your guns but the ammunition as well. You’ll need to make sure you take the proper handling and storage of ammunition when moving.
You can implement additional safety measures during packing and transportation. This can include discussing it with anyone joining you on your road trip move, your children, or your Moving Help Service Providers.
When moving belongings, theft is always a possibility. You’ll want to make sure you minimize the risk of theft or unauthorized access to your firearms.
Communicating With Moving Help Service Providers
If you’re using Moving Help to pack or unpack, load or unload your truck, you’ll want to have clear communication with them about your firearms. It’s imperative to have transparency when communicating with your local moving labor about your firearms and ammunition collection.
This will give you a chance to address any concerns or questions they may have when moving guns. This also will allow you the opportunity to ask them any questions or concerns you may have prior to them moving your guns.
When informing your professional Service Providers ahead of time about the presence of firearms, no one will be caught off guard. They’ll already know to take extra safety precautions to move firearms properly. Labeling your moving boxes can go a long way to know which moving boxes have guns or ammunition in them.
If you’re moving a gun safe as well, you’ll want to make sure you get furniture pads, a dolly, and any other necessary equipment for your Service Providers to move a gun safe carefully and safely.
Additional Considerations and Tips to Move Firearms
Some additional considerations include checking insurance coverage for your firearms during the move. You might want to obtain additional insurance or ensure any existing insurance policies adequately cover any potential damage, loss, or theft of your firearms during your relocation process.
Your homeowner’s insurance policy might provide coverage for your firearms, but you’ll want to review the specific terms and conditions of your policy to confirm whether they extend to the moving process. If your firearms aren’t covered under the coverage in your policy, you might explore options for additional insurance coverage if possible.
When packing your firearms, you should consider the following:
- Your firearms should be unloaded
- Make sure all safety mechanisms are turned on
- Consider breaking down the gun down into several pieces
- Understand the Firearm Owners Protection Act
- Move all guns carefully and, if needed, move slowly
- Guns and ammo should be packed and locked in separate boxes
Some more tips for when you move guns and ammunition in your personal vehicle include:
- You can’t pack firearms within arm’s reach of the driver or passengers.
- The guns must be unloaded in your vehicle.
- The firearms must be locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Your ammunition must be locked in a separate container and locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
Move Guns Safely and Legally
Firearm safety is essential. You need to take the proper steps to research the legalities of moving firearms. Then you can start planning for a smooth move when it comes to moving your guns. Then you should take your time to securely pack your firearms.
Ensure you’ve taken additional safety and security measures. You should talk to your Moving Help Service Providers prior to your moving date to discuss and answer any questions they or you may have about your firearms.
Our guideline’s final tips and considerations can help make sure you’re taking the extra steps in safety for your guns.
