Firearms on Ferry

Why will it be out in the open?
 
georgel said:
Why will it be out in the open?
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That's the least grey area in which to travel with a rifle in this state.
This is a truck, so no locked trunk in which to carry an unloaded rifle.
I normally don't worry about it, but I can see myself being the "random" target for inspection.
I know the ferry is considered part of highway, and that I should be able to legally have whatever, but I want to avoid any hassle.
 
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I wouldn't do it, regardless of what they say. AR upper under/behind one seat (or in one bag)...AR lower under/behind/in another.
 
I have carried on the ferry but I do remember seeing some fed signage but I can not remember what it said. I am sure the nc ferry website can tell you.
 
I've ridden the ferry many many times and I've never been bothered with any issue with guns. That having been said, I don't have a sign on my truck either. A ferry is a bridge that floats.
 
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I've taken the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport quite a few times and I've seen nothing posted about guns. I've also never seen anyone have their vehicle inspected. I'm also confused why it would be out in the open. Even with a truck you could put it behind the seats and cover it up. Unless your truck it loaded with gun stickers, etc, I couldn't see a reason you would think they would even bother you. Also most of the guys I've seen working the ferry either looked like they were retired, or young guys working on the ferry for the summer. The only thing they were seemed interested in was getting everyone parked correctly of the ferry.
 
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Jim1392 said:
I've taken the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport quite a few times and I've seen nothing posted about guns. I've also never seen anyone have their vehicle inspected. I'm also confused why it would be out in the open. Even with a truck you could put it behind the seats and cover it up. Unless your truck it loaded with gun stickers, etc, I couldn't see a reason you would think they would even bother you. Also most of the guys I've seen working the ferry either looked like they were retired, or young guys working on the ferry for the summer. The only thing they were seemed interested in was getting everyone parked correctly of the ferry.
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You can't just stick it behind the seat and cover it up. That would be concealed. Long guns have to be out of reach, not "easily accessible", or open carried IIRC. Not sure about how to do the the open carry part either and I am too lazy to look it up right now. I have a truck. It has a box on the back for one reason only. Transporting long guns. 90% of the time, that's all that ever goes in it.

Stupid law. I can have a bag full of loaded pistols on the seat next to me, but no rifle.
 
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My friends and I take the ferry to Ocracoke several times a year to duck hunt and our trucks are packed with shotguns in soft cases and we all are wearing camo. No one has ever said a word except we get a lot of weird looks from the tourists.
 
TripleO7 said:
You can't just stick it behind the seat and cover it up. That would be concealed. Long guns have to be out of reach, not "easily accessible", or open carried IIRC. Not sure about how to do the the open carry part either and I am too lazy to look it up right now. I have a truck. It has a box on the back for one reason only. Transporting long guns. 90% of the time, that's all that ever goes in it.

Stupid law. I can have a bag full of loaded pistols on the seat next to me, but no rifle.
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I don't own any long guns to the laws in reference to them is beyond me. I really think he will not be bothered. The crew they have working the ferry I've been on look like they could care less about anything except getting through the day. I've never seen them even looking in vehicles much less searching them.
 
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concealed means concealed, and no to searches. Many a long gun has ridden behind the seat, in a single cab pickup, and it doesn't get much more "not readily available for use" than that.

Some of you guys.....do you ask a forest ranger if you can piss in the woods?
 
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I think having it on the seat next to you is more accessible than behind the seat. Whenever I go hunting, I put my rifle in a case and put it behind the seat in my standard cab pickup. That's the best I can do. I'm sure as heck not gonna leave it in the bed of my truck. That's not secure.
 
Ikarus1 said:
concealed means concealed, and no to searches. Many a long gun has ridden behind the seat, in a single cab pickup, and it doesn't get much more "not readily available for use" than that.

Some of you guys.....do you ask a forest ranger if you can piss in the woods?
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Saying "no" means no entrance onto the ferry. I don't know about you, but Ocracoke is long friggin' swim for me.

Jim1392 said:
I've taken the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport quite a few times and I've seen nothing posted about guns. I've also never seen anyone have their vehicle inspected. I'm also confused why it would be out in the open. Even with a truck you could put it behind the seats and cover it up. Unless your truck it loaded with gun stickers, etc, I couldn't see a reason you would think they would even bother you. Also most of the guys I've seen working the ferry either looked like they were retired, or young guys working on the ferry for the summer. The only thing they were seemed interested in was getting everyone parked correctly of the ferry.
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I've rode that ferry hundreds of times as well, all with absolutely no issue. A friend told me they are a little more invasive with the Ocracoke ferry; I don't know either way. Haven't been on that ferry in 20something years.
Might just put it in a hard case and strap it down in the bed.
Or could use this as an excuse for a pistol build.
 
NOT LEGAL ADVICE ... just my thoughts

The NC ferries are run by the NCDOT however they fall under the Federal Maritime Transportation Security Act and the US Coast Guard. When I have take the Minnesott/Cherry ferry, a very short inland run, even though I have never seen signs saying no firearms or such I simply put my unloaded carry in my MiniVault before getting to the ferry terminal. I do it this way because NC Wildlife Commission bans loaded firearms on public access boat ramps and fishing areas under NCWRC control which technically I don't think the ferry terminal even falls under but Mr Green Jeans can pop up anywhere. My long guns the couple times I duck hunted were already unloaded in locked hard cases in the rear cab floor with the other bags like we always transport anyway. Security have been known to checked IDs every so often but that is about it. They do under the Maritime Transportation Security Act reserve the right to "random screening" prior to allowing you on the ferry ... I've never seen it happen though.

Me, I don't sweat it ... unloaded and secured in a case is what I do on the road and since the NCDOT runs the ferry I just consider it a wet road and carry on. The guys actually working the ferry are more concerned with the tourists feeding the damn gulls and having them crap all over things ... heck if it were up to some they'd likely even let you do nuisance abatement on them flying turd machines if it were up to them :D.
 
Jim1392 said:
I don't own any long guns to the laws in reference to them is beyond me. I really think he will not be bothered. The crew they have working the ferry I've been on look like they could care less about anything except getting through the day. I've never seen them even looking in vehicles much less searching them.
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Thinking and knowing are two different things. I'm with you on the probably part, but the OP requested advice on how to transport his rifle legally. As responsible gun owners, I believe that we should give the best answer possible. Not what we think, say we would do, or have done in the past. Based on the "probably" of the whole thing would I be appropriate in giving you advice to load your pistols with hollow points and hide them in your car if you ever drive up through Jersey or New York? I've driven countless thousands of miles there and never been pulled over. It will get you screwed royally if you get caught, but you probably won't.

An interesting short article about transport....

http://ncsportsmenslaw.com/2016/08/gettin-to-the-gun-range/
 
I use the ferry system and drive a van. My long guns are unloaded and cased. I do not have enough cases for all my long guns so some just get covered with a towel or blanket. Other then that I do not worry about it. If I get out of my vehicle on the ferry I lock the doors.
 
Ikarus1 said:
Some of you guys.....do you ask a forest ranger if you can piss in the woods?
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Agree!

I'm a firm believe in "you can have all the freedom you can seize" . While I try hard to avoid felonies , I generally don't look around asking for permission to live the life in the manner I choose.


To the OP: Put one of those worthless locks that come with guns these days and lock your gun sleeve thru the zipper and you're good. I've ridden the ferry to Ocoke dozens of times and have never been asked about guns. I always have at least one with me.
 
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I've been on the Ocracoke-Swanquarter, Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Hatteras ferries more times than I can remember.

I've yet to have anyone peer through the windows to see what I have, much less ask to inspect/search my vehicle.
 
Here's what I do/did.

I pulled up to booth and paid my ferry toll.
Sat in line and talked to the guy from NCDOT that was checking licenses ever so many cars.
Boarded ferry when told to do so.
Stayed in ferry until I was told I could get out.
Got out and locked my doors.
Got back in when told to do so.
Exited ferry when it was my turn.

Don't ask don't tell.

There's a glock in my center console with 8 or 10 magazines. And an AR under my back seat with a "few" magazines.

Act like you have some sense. Obey traffic and loading/unloading laws.
Enjoy your ferry ride
 
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