[elbodega]

Hello Everyone,

I am fairly new to the shooting sport and I have to admit that, previously, I had some apprehension about firearms until I actually had opportunity to attend a firearms course, learn more about them, and use them. I was very pleasantly surprised both at the great bunch of people I met as well by how much I enjoyed it. I love the concentration, the skill (stance, breathing, etc) of hitting a target at different distances; moreover, my constitutional right to defend my family and my person.

My question concerns transporting a firearm. I plan my first firearm purchase in the near future and am wondering what the law says about transporting them. Suppose the firearm is:

- inaccessible in trunk
- unloaded with magazine out
- magazine with no ammunition
- in case
- box of ammunition in a bag also in trunk

Once I make my purchase, there are times when it would be most convenient to visit a range
after work. At work, it is a gun free zone. Does this generally mean transport as well?
Is keeping a firearm locked in a case in a locked car trunk, as if transporting it, a violation
of gun free zone?

Thank you in advance.

[Kuntryboy816]

Welcome to the forum and to the wonderful wolrd of firearms!!

Suppose the firearm is:

- inaccessible in trunk
- unloaded with magazine out
- magazine with no ammunition
- in case
- box of ammunition in a bag also in trunk

This is perfectly acceptable transport for any firearm. Be advised, though, any long gun such as a rifle or shotgun MUST be transported in the exact way you've stated above. This is in respect to the DNREC law on transporting firearms. A handgun has a somewhat slighter difference/leniency in the respect that if you have it loaded, in the cab of the vehicle and in plain sight then it falls under the Open Carry (OC) aspect of the law and is perfectly legal. If you have a Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) permit then you may have the handgun anywhere (loaded or not) in the vehicle. Having a CCDW does not change the rule for transport of long guns though.

At work, it is a gun free zone.

Please clarify... is it a GFZ due to company policies or due to federal/state law such as a school?

[elbodega]

Welcome to the forum and to the wonderful wolrd of firearms!!

Suppose the firearm is:

- inaccessible in trunk
- unloaded with magazine out
- magazine with no ammunition
- in case
- box of ammunition in a bag also in trunk

At work, it is a gun free zone.

Please clarify... is it a GFZ due to company policies or due to federal/state law such as a school?

Hello and thank you for answering. To provide more information, it is a college campus.

[Gotarheels03]

It's not illegal by law to have a gun on a college campus in DE. Obviously the school almost certainly has a policy prohibiting it.

[glockman23]

From WV and coming to Delaware in late April and could not find any legal information regarding open-carry for non-resident. Based on what I have read on your AG site and within the State legal documents on the Internet, I have not seen any restrictions for non-resident Constitutional Carry. However, would like some feedback regarding the "climate" in DE regarding OC and any information you may have for non-residents. Thanks in advance

[astro_wanabe]

From WV and coming to Delaware in late April and could not find any legal information regarding open-carry for non-resident. Based on what I have read on your AG site and within the State legal documents on the Internet, I have not seen any restrictions for non-resident Constitutional Carry. However, would like some feedback regarding the "climate" in DE regarding OC and any information you may have for non-residents. Thanks in advance

Welcome to the forum. First, we do not have "Constitutional Carry" (both OC and CC without a license). Carrying concealed in Delaware requires either a CCDW license for residents or a license from a state we have reciprocity with for nonresidents.

For open carry it's the same whether you're a resident or not. Basically, if you can legally own a gun in Delaware, you can legally openly carry it. Just make sure it stays 100% out in the open, both on your person and when in a vehicle (dash and passenger seat are recommended places for vehicle carry). There are some places where carry isn't allowed at all (fed buildings, state parks, etc) but they're the same for residents and nonresidents.

OC is rather rare in Delaware, but most people either won't notice or won't care. If someone asks you to leave their business just take your money elsewhere. Refusing to leave the property is trespassing. No-gun signs do not mean anything legally in Delaware.

[Mr_G19]

I currently reside in DE but work in PA. Say I wanted to go to the range in PA after work. Would I be able to transport from DE to the parking lot at work (in PA) and then go to the range afterwards without a violation of applicable laws assuming I transport by having the gun unloaded in a case (no magazine or round in the chamber, with a cable lock through the gun) and ammo and magazines (empty) in a separate locked bag? Thanks.

[phlydude]

Yes, that is perfectly acceptable for PA.

[Boots]

No, that's illegal in PA unless you have a concealed license or permit (from any State).

Without a license/permit, the fact you were not traveling directly from your home to the range, but had an intervening destination, is what would make it illegal

[phlydude]

He mentioned it would be unloaded, trigger locked and cased.
How is that illegal?

Besides, if he is leaving DE and going into PA and gets stopped, would the cop ask if he was coming directly from his home?

The bigger concern I see is if his employer has a policy against firearms on premises and his violation of those rules as it relates to his employment.