With more and more people taking to the roads and parks to live in their RV full-time, come concerns for safety. I see a lot of questions on social media asking if others feel safe while living in an RV. I decided to do a little research and see if I could answer the most asked question. Is it legal to carry a gun in an RV? Let’s find out!
Can I travel with a gun in my RV?
Yes, the good news is transporting firearms across state lines in your RV is the same as any other automobile. The gun should be unloaded and stored in the back of the RV in a locked compartment. It should never be in the glove compartment or center console. Any ammunition should be stored separately.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) – Permits the interstate transportation of unloaded firearms by any person not prohibited by Federal law from such transportation regardless of any State law or regulation.
This guarantees the right of a law-abiding person to transport an unloaded firearm between a location where he or she may legally carry it and a destination where he or she may also legally carry it, regardless of state or local laws along the route of travel that would otherwise apply.
Be aware, that this is as long as you do not stop, and have the firearm unloaded and separate from any ammunition in a locked container other than the glove box or center console.
Know local laws
So, if you are carrying a loaded weapon, Sightseeing for the day, or just want to stop and get a few winks, you must know state and local laws. It is best to know ahead of time when it is legal to carry a gun in your RV. Be Safe! Not Sorry!
Many states are not so gun-friendly and not knowing the laws you risk thousands of dollars in fines, 10 years in prison, and a felony record that prevents you from carrying – and voting – in the future?
Note: I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. This content is for informational purposes only.
Please check with local law enforcement offices for their laws and regulations concerning firearms.
Learn more about all gun laws by state
Note: I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. This content is for informational purposes only.
Please check with local law enforcement offices for their laws and regulations concerning firearms.
Must know laws for carrying a gun in your RV
Real Truth – Guns and Supposes (see what I did there?)
A common misconception is that a motorhome is an extension of the “home”. Thinking they are exempt from police searches without a warrant. When you head out of your driveway and down the road it is a moving vehicle now. These moving vehicles will be treated as such by law enforcement. Just like when driving your car you are subject to “probable cause” searches of the vehicle.
Your RV is almost always classified as a vehicle, and NOT a home, even if you live in it full time. This is a common misconception I hear many RV folks giving as their reasoning.
23 out of 50 states have “Castle Doctrine” laws. The castle doctrine is also known as castle law or a defense of habitation law. This is a legal doctrine that designates a person’s abode or any legally occupied place (for example, a vehicle or home) as a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting them. In certain circumstances, to use force to defend against an intruder is free of legal liability. This can include deadly force. The term is commonly used throughout the U.S. to describe a “no duty to retreat” from a home.
What is the difference between Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine?
Stand Your Ground: No duty to retreat from the situation before resorting to deadly force; not limited to your home, place of work, etc.
Castle Doctrine: No duty to retreat before using deadly force if you are in your home or yard (some states include a place of work and occupied vehicles).
In any and all cases, it pays to research all states’ firearm laws that you might cross through in your RV, to make sure that you won’t inadvertently get yourself in hot water with law enforcement.
Most states allow it if the gun is locked up separate from your ammo. Which to me really defeats the purpose of having it with me in the first place.
Check Castle doctrine laws for each state here
It may be legal to carry a gun in my RV, but where should I store it?
The perfect thing for this job is a gun safe. Many of the safes allow you to securely lock away your firearms when you need to keep them protected, and many are large enough to also store jewelry, documents, or a wallet when you want to leave them safe in the vehicle.
Remember, if not in use it is a danger to children and a thief would love to stumble across it.
Is it Legal to carry a gun in my RV?
So, is RV life safe?
The RV life is mostly a safe activity or lifestyle, common sense is what is needed most. Be smart and know your surroundings at all times, not much different than your current lifestyle. Don’t put yourself into situations that can cause harm to loved ones or damage to your personal property. Certain dangers lurk everywhere no matter your lifestyle, sticks, and bricks, or in an RV full-time, so just stay alert.
Get the Proper Training
Even if it is legal to carry a gun in your RV, it does no good if you don’t know how to use it. Owning a gun does not always mean you are safer because of it. There are many people carrying weapons for protection that should not be doing so. There are many local training courses available to assure you know how to handle and use a gun safely.
- One study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the odds of an assault victim being shot increased 4.5 times if they carried a gun, and the odds of them being killed increased 4.2 times.
- A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine found that using guns for self-defense during a robbery doesn’t lower one’s odds of being injured.
Final Thoughts
Guns are a touchy subject of late and laws are ever-changing at the federal and state level. So, know where you will be traveling and research the state and local laws to make sure you are covering your bases. Just because it may be legal to carry a gun in your RV, you need to do it the right way.
There are a great number of resources out there for you to get up to the date information along with some helpful links I added to this article. Please remember this is just some informational material and not intended to be legal advice in no way. Furthermore, a firearms attorney can answer any and all questions because the last thing you want is a felony from a simple misunderstanding.
As you head out onto the highways of this beautiful country of ours you may be in search of the perfect resort to stay at. If this is the case please check out the TOP 10 spectacular RV resorts article for your informational and enjoyment needs.
