If an individual has a concealed pistol license, chances are they are carrying the weapon for self-defense purposes, otherwise and presumably on their way to or from a target range, a firing range, or from a hunting expedition, or to a place, public or private, where they may lawfully fire their gun. They may also transport it to have the gun repaired, and to sell the gun.
There are many rules and regulations surrounding the transportation of firearms in Grand Rapids, which are sometimes complex and require a thorough understanding. To best understand these laws, it is imperative to contact a Grand Rapids gun lawyer as soon as possible.
Legally and Safely Transporting a FirearmAt all times, when a weapon is carried inside a car or any kind of truck or motor vehicle, which includes things like automobiles and off-road vehicles, all types of firearms, rifle, shotguns, pistols, et cetera, must be unloaded.
This includes both the chamber or the barrel of the gun, as well as the magazine. When transporting a firearm in Grand Rapids, the gun must be disabled, and enclosed in a case or carried in a trunk of a vehicle.
If a person does not have a separate compartment to transport a firearm in Grand Rapids, they can use any box or key lock trigger housing mechanism. They can also keep it in a safe. Further, a person can use public transportation to transport a firearm as long as they have a CPL.
Grand Rapids does not have any statutes specific to the area that cover the transportation of weapons through the streets. However, there is a local ordinance in Section 9.173 that addresses the carrying of a firearm in a public street or alley in the city of Grand Rapids. A person cannot do this unless they have been properly issued a CPL.
For the lawful transportation of a weapon without a CPL, Grand Rapids law states that the ammunition must be removed from the chamber, and the firearm must be rendered inoperable. This can usually be done using a trigger lock or something similar. Further, the gun must be broken down or disassembled and enclosed in a case or similar container.
Illegal TransportationAnyone who is not allowed to possess a firearm is not allowed to transport it. If a person has been convicted of a felony and their right to possess a firearm has been precluded on that basis, then they cannot transport it.
The penalties for unlawfully transporting a firearm in Grand Rapids depend on the specific crime charged, but generally, the penalty is five years in prison.
Crossing State Lines with a FirearmIf an individual is traveling by car or by air, then the first thing they need to do is to make sure that all the states that they are traveling through are reciprocal states, meaning the state that they are traveling to will recognize the Michigan CPL. If the person does not have a CPL, then the best thing to do is to make sure that the weapon is unloaded, the ammunition and weapon are separate, and that the weapon is properly housed in a case or a safe. It may be a good idea if a person is going to be transporting a weapon and does not have a CPL to check with the state laws to make sure that what they are attempting to do is lawful.
If a person is a CPL holder and from the reciprocal state, in most instances, they can drive with the gun in their car through a reciprocal state and not have any worries or concerns that they may be violating the law. As it relates to air travel, in most instances, the weapon must be kept in a safe with the ammunition separate. Usually, no ammunition at all would be included in the luggage, and then the luggage has to be kept.
A person cannot bring a weapon, whether it is inside a safe or not, to the passenger area of the plane where they can tuck it. Of course, they must let the airline know that they are going to be transporting a firearm from Grand Rapids.