tatertom
Regular Member
I'll be heading up tomorrow night (short notice, I know) to help get people back up and running, and although I have personal, past experiences with post-storm work in other places that dictate I should protect myself, you guys deserve a link to a recent, relevant example: http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/lakeland-man-beaten-ny-after-helping-restore-power/nS5L7/
Here's the deal. At least AT FIRST, I'll be staying in NJ, and working somewhere in Long Island. I called the state police to ask what is and isn't legal, something I've already been informed is a bad idea, and have done some research on my own through this and other sites, as well as reading what I can understand of the local code myself. From what I can tell, Federal law permits that I can transport, within a locked container separate from the passenger compartment (if possible given the type of vehicle) and separate from the ammo, provided I'm also legal at both origin and destination. This doesn't mean that I can't be arrested for it by a local LEO, and also doesn't mean said LEO would be within their job description and local law to do so. I understand it is almost certain any charges following an arrest would be thrown out in court, providing I don't "go ackin all cray-cray." I would like to stay withing the confines of all applicable laws. Having a court case tossed doesn't help the fact that I would have to be imprisoned first, and that's not really a win in my book. There are still loads of questions for you guys, and please feel free to correct me on the above.
I will be driving a pickup with a lockable toolbox in the bed. Both the back of the access cab (pocket doors, have to open front door first) and the bed box will be loaded about halfway (by volume) with tools and equipment. My passenger and I, when on a job site, will be in and out of the bed box much more often than the back of the cab, which concerns me about placing either the weapon or the ammo in it, for fear of human error leaving the box unlocked for someone to grab both my property and my means to protect it. I think my best course of action is to keep the pistol in a locked box somewhere in the back of the cab not immediately accessible to me or my passenger while driving. The locked box happens to be a cash box, the likes of which you would find by the cashier at a flea market booth. It locks with a key, which I am hearing would be inferior to a combo lock due to concerns of consent to open the box, but it's what I have immediately available to me. I may go buy a combo-lock box instead. The ammo I would keep somewhere else, such as the bolted-in bed box, or also in a similar place as I described for the gun itself, but on the other side or something like that. I would consider the bed box weather-resistant. It's brand new and I only put holes in the bottom to bolt it down, but some wind could totally blow moisture inside of it through the lip between box and lid. It definitely holds up fine in a downpour while sitting still.
What should I do on both fronts? The biggest issues here seem to be number one, the fact I'll be driving daily through NYC, the configuration given the circumstances, and what to and not to do should an encounter with a criminal directly threatening my life and/or property occur. I already feel up to snuff when it comes to an actual traffic stop and respectfully flexing my rights regarding searches.
I'm taking any and all suggestions and advice. I have this post set to notify immediately via email to my phone upon replies in order to quickly answer any questions you may have. Thanks in advance!
EDIT: I originally posted details throughout this thread that, while possibly vital to receive the help I needed (and received!), are not necessary to help another in a similar situation, and would potentially harm an ongoing, unrelated legal dispute. I've edited them out, but have left my notifications for replies to this thread on for anyone with questions for me, or further questions for the group on the matter. I promise I'm usually much more open, and less secretive about my life's adventures. Sorry about the circumstances.
Here's the deal. At least AT FIRST, I'll be staying in NJ, and working somewhere in Long Island. I called the state police to ask what is and isn't legal, something I've already been informed is a bad idea, and have done some research on my own through this and other sites, as well as reading what I can understand of the local code myself. From what I can tell, Federal law permits that I can transport, within a locked container separate from the passenger compartment (if possible given the type of vehicle) and separate from the ammo, provided I'm also legal at both origin and destination. This doesn't mean that I can't be arrested for it by a local LEO, and also doesn't mean said LEO would be within their job description and local law to do so. I understand it is almost certain any charges following an arrest would be thrown out in court, providing I don't "go ackin all cray-cray." I would like to stay withing the confines of all applicable laws. Having a court case tossed doesn't help the fact that I would have to be imprisoned first, and that's not really a win in my book. There are still loads of questions for you guys, and please feel free to correct me on the above.
I will be driving a pickup with a lockable toolbox in the bed. Both the back of the access cab (pocket doors, have to open front door first) and the bed box will be loaded about halfway (by volume) with tools and equipment. My passenger and I, when on a job site, will be in and out of the bed box much more often than the back of the cab, which concerns me about placing either the weapon or the ammo in it, for fear of human error leaving the box unlocked for someone to grab both my property and my means to protect it. I think my best course of action is to keep the pistol in a locked box somewhere in the back of the cab not immediately accessible to me or my passenger while driving. The locked box happens to be a cash box, the likes of which you would find by the cashier at a flea market booth. It locks with a key, which I am hearing would be inferior to a combo lock due to concerns of consent to open the box, but it's what I have immediately available to me. I may go buy a combo-lock box instead. The ammo I would keep somewhere else, such as the bolted-in bed box, or also in a similar place as I described for the gun itself, but on the other side or something like that. I would consider the bed box weather-resistant. It's brand new and I only put holes in the bottom to bolt it down, but some wind could totally blow moisture inside of it through the lip between box and lid. It definitely holds up fine in a downpour while sitting still.
What should I do on both fronts? The biggest issues here seem to be number one, the fact I'll be driving daily through NYC, the configuration given the circumstances, and what to and not to do should an encounter with a criminal directly threatening my life and/or property occur. I already feel up to snuff when it comes to an actual traffic stop and respectfully flexing my rights regarding searches.
I'm taking any and all suggestions and advice. I have this post set to notify immediately via email to my phone upon replies in order to quickly answer any questions you may have. Thanks in advance!
EDIT: I originally posted details throughout this thread that, while possibly vital to receive the help I needed (and received!), are not necessary to help another in a similar situation, and would potentially harm an ongoing, unrelated legal dispute. I've edited them out, but have left my notifications for replies to this thread on for anyone with questions for me, or further questions for the group on the matter. I promise I'm usually much more open, and less secretive about my life's adventures. Sorry about the circumstances.
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