GUN TRANSPORT LAWS DIFFER AMONG STATES

Gun-show dealers and collectors must keep up with a number of regulations to engage in the business of selling, buying and trading guns.

Getting the firearms to a show requires digging into transportation-of-firearms laws, which vary greatly from state to state.

Many gun dealers and collectors who attended the SEMO Gun Show in Cape Girardeau last weekend said they follow Illinois regulations in packing firearms for transportation to shows. Illinois is among states that have simple gun-transportation laws: Guns must be unloaded and encased.

"We keep the firearms unloaded and in special firearm-carrying boxes or cases," said 25-year gun-show veteran Paul Crosnoe of Cape Girardeau.

Monte Burnham of the District 5 office of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at Benton, Ill., said, "You can't go wrong if your firearm is unloaded and in a case."

Burnham said Illinois has one more requirement: "You have to have a valid Firearms Owner's Identification card," known as a FOID card for short.

State lines make a big difference when transporting a gun in a vehicle. In Missouri, for instance, it is legal to possess a loaded rifle, shotgun or handgun in a vehicle as long as it is in plain view.

"The firearm must be clearly visible," said Missouri Highway Patrol trooper K.C. Dye. He pointed out there are some exceptions to the Missouri regulation. "Some cities have laws against having a loaded gun in the vehicle, overriding the state statues."

Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Cape Girar-deau are among them.

Cape Girardeau regulations are more restrictive than state laws and override those state laws, said Lt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

"Most Missouri cities have their own gun laws," said Kinnison. "The guns can't be loaded, and they can't be readily accessible."

Once a firearm has been placed in a container or case, it is concealed and can only be legally transported if it is unloaded and not readily available to any passenger in the vehicle.

Handguns can be kept in the vehicle's glove compartment, but the compartment must be locked. Shotguns and rifles could be placed in the trunk.

Illinois regulations

Three statutory codes regulate the possession, transfer and transportation of firearms in Illinois -- the Criminal Code, Wildlife Code and the Firearms Owner's Identification Act, which requires state residents to obtain a FOID card to possess a firearm.

Three codes

Under the three codes, statutes require firearms to be unloaded and enclosed in a case to be transported in a vehicle. The case can be a firearms carrying box or container specifically designed for the purpose of housing a gun and completely enclosing the gun by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened with no portion of the gun exposed.

"Even in the case of archery equipment, the bow must be unstrung, cased or locked for transportation," said Burnham. "And in the case of a firearm, a holster is not considered a case."

"Nonresidents are subject to Illinois law and should be familiar with them if they plan to take a firearm into the state," said Burnham. "It's a good idea to check with authorities on local laws. You could be subject to some local firearms ordinances."

Asked if a person could transport a rifle or shogun in a gun rack in the back window of a truck, he replied they could if the firearm is unloaded and encased, and if the owner has a valid FOID card.

Transporting ammunition should pose no problems even with firearms in the car. The location of ammo is not regulated if the firearms are being transported lawfully.

HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL

Gun transportation laws differ greatly in Illinois and Missouri, and even within each state.

Illinois requires that guns be unloaded and encased when in transit.

In Missouri, however, it is legal to posess a loaded rifle, shotgun or handgun in a vehicle as long as it is in plain view. Some cities, including Cape Girardeau, prohibit loaded guns in vehicles, thus overriding the state statutes.

In Cape Girardeau, handguns can be kept in the vehicle's glove compartment, but the compartment must be locked.

Shotguns and rifles must be placed in the trunk.