I am not a member of the NRA, so, please, no flames if I mis-speak here, but each state has its own set of laws governing the transporting and carrying of hand-guns. As I read them as posted on the NRA homepage, the laws of some states make it illegal for non-residents to even transport out-of-state firearms through their states, even with the weapons locked in a carrying case in the trunk with the ammo stored separately. Federal law enforcement friends of mine have told me that such locked- storage transport is OK through these states, and not to worry. Their analogy is, "How else would I be able to transport my weapon from State A to State B without driving through State C?"
I do not know of any railfans who have been able to get "carry" permits for states other than their home state of residence for the packing of a concealed or displayed weapon while railfanning across state lines. If you know how to do this, a lot of railfans might be interested. In any event, I would NEVER carry a firearm--loaded or empty--onto railroad property. A rifle or shotgun in the rack of your pick-up truck is fine if you are standing next to it when taking photos, but if you have to walk to some out-of-the-way location for your photos, those weapons will not do you much good. In May 1995 Trains magazine's special correspondent Bob Johnston was jumped and beaten by a gang of teen-agers in Chicago while he was photographing Amtrak trains. Can't remember if he said he was alone or not, but he was bruised, sore and had one arm in a sling for a few weeks. They got his cameras. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love my M-1 Garand rifle, my Auto Ordnance 1911-A1.45 automatic pistol, and my...well, you get the idea. All I can say is that the .45 fits nicely into the side pocket of my Domke Photo Vest. Whether or not a gun is in my pocket while out shooting train photos will be ascertained if I ever am attacked by camera thieves or muggers in some remote location. But like I always say, "It is better to be tried by 12 than to be carried by 6." You figure it out. Good shooting (pun intended) and have a safe day. John B. Corns "I am not a gun nut...just a nut with a gun!" _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] -> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs -> Message © SPORRS® 1998 - All Rights Reserved
