concealed carry on a trip to Gettysburg?

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I’m thinking about a motorcycle trip to Gettysburg in spring. I see a narrow spot crossing from VA across W.Va. and then maybe just a couple of miles of MD, crossing into PA not far from Gettysburg.

I know I’m fine in VA, but know nothing about the next three states. I have three locking hard saddle bags on the bike. School me on travel with a handgun. I normally carry concealed on my belt under a jacket or tee shirt in summer.
 
Chuckman said:
I don't know about the states but the park is federal park and I think it's posted.
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Glad you mentioned the park. Hadn’t thought about that yet. At first glance, it looks like buildings might be posted but not the park, but there is some verbiage I’ll need to look at.

Firearms in National Parks: The law governing possession of firearms inside a national park changed on February 22, 2010. Visitors may possess firearms within a national park unit provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. Please remember that federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances. The role of the responsible gun owner is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws appropriate to the park they are visiting. For more information about gun laws in Pennsylvania, please visit the Pennsylvania State Police web site.
 
Okay, NC has reciprocity with PA for concealed carry. Gotta check into W.VA, and [[[[[{{{{{(((((ssssshhhhuddddderrrrrr)))))}}}}}}}]]]]] Maryland.

Edit: W.Va has reciprocity with NC also. No surprise there.
 
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Carry in NP is gtg, just not in the buildings. And if iirc, md is the only state to avoid, but free men do free $*%!
 
Diablos said:
Carry in NP is gtg, just not in the buildings. And if iirc, md is the only state to avoid, but free men do free $*%!
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2 miles to get across at the narrowest point, best I can tell.
 
As expected, Maryland recognizes no other state’s carry laws. I’ll have to see what the rules of the road are if the everything is locked up.
 
A Maryland defense attorney’s take on transporting a firearm though Marylandistan.

With the bike's three locking hard saddlebags, this is achievable.

Unlawful Transport​

Transporting a firearm is illegal anytime it is not stored properly in the vehicle and is readily accessible to the driver. If the ammo is with the firearm, if the gun is loaded, not stored, not kept safe, in the backseat, or is under the seat’s glove box, it could be considered unlawful transport. This is especially true if an individual crosses interstate lines when the receiving state does not have the laws of the state where the individual is coming from or going to.

Properly Storing The Firearm​

To properly store a firearm when transporting it in Maryland, make sure the ammo is stored separately from the firearm, in cases, and locked. The purpose of that law is to ensure that the firearm is not readily accessible. If the firearm is in a hatch back but is in the trunk, the ammo should be on the other side of the trunk and locked in a case. As long as the gun is not easily accessible and is on the other side of the vehicle as the ammo, an individual will not be breaking the law.

Obviously, an individual is not required to purchase a vehicle that has its own trunk compartment in order to comply with the rules of transporting a firearm in Maryland.
 
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Diablos said:
Monticello and Mount Vernon are in friendly territory; however, one of the great ironies of Monticello is that its posted
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We toured Monticello a few years ago. Sort of a lefty bent to the narration from my perspective, and of course he started UVA which I am sure is no longer a bastion of support for the constitution as we know and love it.
 
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Diablos said:
Biggest thing to remember is dont talk if pulled over and dont consent to searches.
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THIS. you're covered by federal travel laws/protections. And you're covered by your right to remain silent. exercise your rights at all available opportunities
 
While you're on the way to Gettysburg, check out Antietam. While Gettysburg is important, it has monuments as far as the eye can see. Antietam is probably the best preserved of the major battlefields. Of the Gettysburg monuments, the NC monument at the start line of Picket's Charge is probably the very best. NC provided more troops than any state other than VA at the battle and had over 40% casualties. Have a good trip.

gettysburg.stonesentinels.com

State of North Carolina monument at Gettysburg, with photos and map

State of North Carolina monument on the Gettysburg battlefield, with photos, text from the monument, background info and map location
gettysburg.stonesentinels.com
 
Diablos said:
Not sure if thats true, but more reason to take the short route and mind your speed
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I think this kind of targeting (which totally happens) might be more common along the "short route" of I-81. The thinking goes: obviously people taking the shortest route through the great district of Marylandistan are doing so because they are breaking the laws and avoiding the longer transits, therefore they must be punished with searches.

I've never had any trouble on either the eastern shore or 95.
 
Just got back from a trip there about a month ago. We only gave ourselves 3 days and could have easily used a fourth to see everything. We did take a day trip to Hershey. Girlfriend and I both concealed carried the whole time. Do not remember any signs prohibiting it anywhere. We did the downloadable car tour for the battlefield which is a ton of info and a great tour, not sure how it would work on a bike. We were probably breaking the law in Pa., but we went with "concealed is concealed". Going to Hershey and out to eat, she carried in her purse and I kept mine locked in the car so I would not print.
edit: we took the straight up 81 route on the way there
 
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I’m thinking I could travel across Maryland and actually follow the letter of the law with three locking bags on the bike more easily than I could in the truck.
 
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Dave951 said:
While you're on the way to Gettysburg, check out Antietam. While Gettysburg is important, it has monuments as far as the eye can see. Antietam is probably the best preserved of the major battlefields. Of the Gettysburg monuments, the NC monument at the start line of Picket's Charge is probably the very best. NC provided more troops than any state other than VA at the battle and had over 40% casualties. Have a good trip.

gettysburg.stonesentinels.com

State of North Carolina monument at Gettysburg, with photos and map

State of North Carolina monument on the Gettysburg battlefield, with photos, text from the monument, background info and map location
gettysburg.stonesentinels.com
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I've got a relative named on one of the monuments at Gettysburg. It is interesting to spend the time and look at all of the regimental monuments.
 
I was going to recommend riding over to York for the factree tour but it looks like they aren't giving tours due to the rona in the air...
 
If you have ancestors who may have been there in 1863 I suggest that you learn as much as possible about their activities during the battle, assuming you haven't done so already. In my case I have enough ancestors who were there to fill a platoon. My 4th great grandfather and his brother died there. Their nephew survived the Pickett/Pettigrew charge of July 3. Visiting the places they were helped me to better appreciate what transpired. And I agree, Gutzon Borglum's sculpture for the NC monument is outstanding.
 
Sleipnir said:
If you have ancestors who may have been there in 1863 I suggest that you learn as much as possible about their activities during the battle, assuming you haven't done so already. In my case I have enough ancestors who were there to fill a platoon. My 4th great grandfather and his brother died there. Their nephew survived the Pickett/Pettigrew charge of July 3. Visiting the places they were helped me to better appreciate what transpired. And I agree, Gutzon Borglum's sculpture for the NC monument is outstanding.
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I was able to get his records from the national archives. Pretty interesting story.
 
fieldgrade said:
2 miles to get across at the narrowest point, best I can tell.
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77 Through Beckley to 79 to 76 and you never touch MD or come close to DC traffic... Better drive and more scenic.
That's how I go back to PA when I go.
 
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