(We seldom post articles about firearms, because they almost always result in nasty comments. But because this legislation has a special impact on RVers, we are making an exception. Please keep your comments civil. [We know you can do it.] If not, they will be deleted and commenting will be closed.)
The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act, S.741, has been reintroduced in the Senate to protect the rights of lawful gun owners who travel full-time and remove roadblocks that prevent individuals with no fixed physical residence from completing an instant background check before a firearm transfer.
Traveler’s Gun Rights Act
The new act would clarify “state of residence” and “resident” in the Gun Control Act of 1968 to overcome various residency-related issues facing full-time RV travelers, individuals with multiple physical residences, active-duty military personnel, and military spouses.
“Bureaucratic red tape shouldn’t be used to stop law-abiding Americans and our brave servicemembers from purchasing a firearm. It’s their constitutional right, and that’s what the Traveler’s Gun Rights Act would protect,” Sen. Hyde-Smith (R-MS)Â said.
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD)Â said, “As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I am committed to protecting the rights of lawful gun owners. The Traveler’s Gun Rights Act removes an unfair prohibition facing Americans with unique living situations.”
ATF prohibition hurts full-time RVers
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) prohibits firearm buyers from listing a post office box or private mailbox (PMB) on the ATF paperwork for the required background check when purchasing a firearm. This ATF prohibition unfairly hurts full-time RVers who receive mail from a post office box.
S.741 would preclude the ATF from rejecting private mailboxes and thus restore the ability to purchase firearms to Americans who choose to spend their lives on the road.
U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced companion legislation (HR.1508) in the House of Representatives.
“Americans, especially our active-duty military members, should never be denied the full spectrum of their Second Amendment rights simply because they use a post office box address instead of a physical address,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for National Shooting Sports Foundation. “This legislation is a simple fix to an overlooked problem that unfortunately disenfranchises law-abiding citizens of their ability to lawfully purchase a firearm.”
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An unloaded gun is nothing more than a paperweight. A gun in the trunk, or in any other inaccessible area, is even less than worthless. Just don’t travel to, or spend one penny, in any state that doesn’t recognize your God-given, NOT state-given, right to self defense.
Good grief, I’ve carried a gun since a kid, about 62 years. Many people who live in the country do that. It’s no good if it isn’t loaded unless you can throw it and knock a guy out. It’s a bummer to be illegal by just going into the next state. I don’t need to buy more, just want to be legal with what I have.
Readers should be aware of FOPA/”Peaceable journey” laws where they travel. Generally, if you’re legal to possess hardware wherever you start and end driving, you’re legal to possess UNLOADED in transit. In an emergency, you are just very fast reloading that unloaded hardware.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/senate-bill/49/text
Thanks for covering this – I forwarded the article to RVt because I thought it was important for other RVers to know about it. Call or write your representatives in support of this bill to help move it along – this and nationwide concealed carry reciprocity are important to RVers, even if you don’t own or “like” guns. My decision to become a lawful gun owner was prompted by a very dangerous situation at a truck stop in Lubbock, Texas where I genuinely feared for my life. My wife and I have trained extensively and now carry and keep firearms at the ready in our rig. God forbid that we ever have to use them to defend our lives or the life of other fellow campers!
WE need this legislation. The 2nd Amendment is a right and if you have a permit in one state, it should be honored in all states.
Most likely won’t pass the senate. Dems will vote against, Republicans, except phonies like Romney, (my wonderful senator) will vote for. Not enough votes, so it’s all fluff for elections. Nothing will probably be done.
The legislation should also allow travel thru any state, as long as the weapon is not readily accessible.
Agreed! This is also a problem!!
John, What is the purpose of having a self defense firearm IF it is Not readily accessable?
Exactly.
Just Travel And Enjoy The Beauty And Prosperity Of The 25 States That Have “Constitutional Carry”… Obviously, The 2A Has Been Infringed On In The The Other States…
Would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Doesn’t help me. It would be nice if my motorhome was considered my domicile for purposes of state laws that are adverse to the 2nd amendment, which most are. Despite taking an oath to uphold the constitution, congress critters at both fed and state levels do not know the meaning of “….shall not be infringed.”
The ATF should be a convenience store, not a federal agency.
Love that one! Amen!
I’m a supporter of the 2nd amendment, but our one political party is hell bent at taking our guns away. Rather than enforcing the present gun laws. If you commit a crime with a gun it s/b automatic 5 years in jail minimum. In Pa I’ve read in the paper some criminals seemed to get a slap on the wrist.
Agree. Maybe the one thing I liked about DT was trying to restore law & order.
He gets to try again next week. “Will be wild.”
There was an awful lot to Not Like, no question, he could be cringe worthy at times, but there was an an awful lot to like about his policy as well. I kind of miss that whole peace and prosperity thing. Back when Russia and China deployed words instead of troops. We have once again seen what weakness brings. DT, not my first choice then or now.
Especially in Philadelphia. I live in Bucks County, PA and Punta Gorda, FL, with my “legal” residence in FL. FL either just passed or in the process of passing an “open carry” and remove the firearm safety class that used to be required. SCARY needless to say. With Philly gun deaths on the course for another record high, the amount of arrests and convictions is down. Phila Cops’ hands are tied. Many arrests are thrown out before they have their first appearance in court. BTW, I agree that the penalty where a crime is committed with a firearm should be an automatic sentence if found guilty.