Women’s Outdoor News and Avery Skipalis bring you a series on traveling with firearms and ammunition. Our last post covered traveling by air with firearms and ammunition. This month we explore traveling by bus or train with firearms and ammunition.
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When considering traveling with firearms and ammunition, do you compare it to a complex mathematical equation? If so, don’t fret because it’s not an overly complicated process. It takes a little research and planning to execute your plan safely and legally.
Prior to traveling with firearms and ammunition, ensure you have the proper credentials to do so. Research reciprocity for the areas you will be traveling through and your final destination. Reciprocity means what state honors your state’s concealed carry license. Also make sure you research federal, state and local government laws and policies.
Bus
If you were considering traveling by bus with firearms and ammunition, you may want to select another mode of travel. Traveling by bus with firearms and ammunition is prohibited. Bus carriers also prohibit passengers from carrying firearm replicas and parts in their luggage. Greyhound, Trailways, Peter Pan and Megabus all prohibit firearms and ammunition, according to the policies on their websites.
Train
Before traveling by train with firearms and ammunition, you should review the train company’s policy directly from their website. Although many companies have similar rules, I suggest you reach out to your local station for their specific regulations. For example, here are the steps to be aware of when traveling with *Amtrack:
1. You must contact the carrier by phone no later than 24 hours before travel to notify them you’re traveling with firearms and ammunition. Amtrack does not accept online notifications.
2. Firearms and ammunition must be placed in your checked bag and checked in no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
3. All firearms must be unloaded and placed in a locked hard-sided, approved container. Weights for the container and firearm combined cannot exceed 50 pounds. Store ammunition in the original packaging or in a container designed to store small amounts of ammunition. The weight of the storage container and ammunition cannot exceed 11 pounds.
4. Passengers must complete and sign a two-part declaration form and travel on the same train transporting their firearms and ammunition.
In closing, traveling by bus or train with firearms and ammunition is not an overly complicated process. Setting aside a small amount of time before traveling will allow you to conduct preliminary research. You will learn that traveling by bus with firearms and ammunition is strictly prohibited. If traveling by train, be aware of the guidelines to follow so that you do not break any laws.
*These steps current at time that post was published; be sure to check with Amtrack before your trip.
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
