Escapees January-February 2023

reference manual for all 50 states and their respective laws regulating fi rearm possession and transportation. The book is available online at Amazon or via this website: www.gunlawguide.com. Be aware that some speci fi c makes and types of handguns and ri fl es may be illegal to possess in certain states. Certain fi rearm con fi gurations/modi fi cations, ammunition, and magazines of particular capacities may also be illegal. If you are planning to travel across international borders such as Canada and Mexico, be aware of fi rearms restrictions. In Canada, while some ri fl es are allowed for hunting, handguns and assault weapons are generally prohibited. More information can be found on the RCMP website, at www. rcmp-grc.gc.ca. In Mexico, the restrictions are more severe, and the paperwork needed to cross the border legally with a fi rearm must be obtained from the Secretariat of National Defense. My advice? Don’t carry any guns or ammo across the border! In fact, thoroughly inspect your vehicles to ensure that all ammunition and fi rearms are removed before approaching the border, or you could face fi nes, prison time or worse. It is not something you can take lightly. A single bullet found in your rig will land you in deep trouble. Don’t risk it! Some public lands and many state and national parks prohibit fi rearm possession within the park boundaries. I recommend the use of locking gun boxes or gun safes to secure any fi rearms in your RV. Any responsible gun owner knows that they must secure their fi rearms to prevent them from falling into unauthorized hands. It may be to your advantage to secure a license to carry in your state of residence or domicile. While this license does not guar antee your right to carry in other states, many states do honor a carry license from a different state. This is called reciprocity, and it’s something else you need to bone up on. Don’t assume that having a license to carry in your home state will automatically allow you to carry in a different state. Travel Concerns Many great boondocking spots require travel on dirt roads that are less than great. It’s important to understand the limitations

easily see and copy your GPS coordinates. It makes it easy to write down my current coordinates in the notebook and transmit them to someone via text or email if I have cell service. I have a designated “In Case of Emergency (ICE)” person to whom I send my location whenever I move. That way, some one knows where I am at all times. SPOT One of the things I love about boondocking is being in a remote area, away from noise, traf fi c and people. Unfortunately, it sometimes means no usable cell service. If you feel the need to stay in touch with the world in these situations, then you may need SPOT. No, not Spot, your dog, but SPOT, the satellite location device used by hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. SPOT products use GPS to determine a user’s location and the Globalstar Satellite Network to transmit information. SPOT users can notify friends and family of their exact GPS position and status or, in the case of an emergency, send those GPS coordi nates to emergency rescue personnel. There are various devices available, including a two-way satellite communications device that keeps you in touch in remote areas with no cell service. For info on devices and plans, check out www. fi ndmespot.com. Firearms The decision to carry fi rearms in your RV is a personal choice. If you choose to bring guns and ammunition with you, you must do so in a safe and legal manner. Whether the intended use is for personal protection or for hunting or recreational shooting, RVers need to be aware of some legal and practi cal rami fi cations. Since many RVs pass from state to state, you must take the time to become well versed in the laws and statutes regulating fi rearms in each and every state you pass through or temporarily reside in. Every state has speci fi c requirements for transporting fi rearms in vehicles, and also regulates their usage and possession. It is your responsibil ity to know these laws and obey them. Anyone who chooses to transport fi re arms in their RV should obtain a copy of the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States . This book is a comprehensive

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ESCAPEES Magazine January/February 2023