Concealed Carry Travel Tips: Hotel Firearms Policy and More

  • by Casy Smith
Concealed Carry Travel Tips: Hotel Firearms Policy and More

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“Do I have everything?”

When you pack for a trip, you may ask yourself this question a few times to ensure success. From attire to toiletries to your favorite neck pillow, you want to ensure you’re ready for anything during your travels. 

If you have a concealed carry license, you need to know if your firearm will fit into this crucial checklist. You commit to daily carry during your normal routine, so it makes sense to review your travel options. When traveling with a concealed carry firearm, it’s best to ask early and plan accordingly. You don’t want a lack of foresight to put you in a sticky situation and ruin your trip.

Whether you’re catching a plane to go across the country or have a rental for a work trip one state over, it’s essential to research and prepare when traveling with your firearm. CCW license reciprocity, transportation rules and your hotel’s firearm policy are all things you need to review and plan for before heading to your destination.

Why Concealed Carry Travel Prep Is Essential

When you apply for your concealed carry license, you must learn your state’s firearm law inside and out, become adept at concealing your firearm and develop self-defense skills. While these responsibilities can be challenging at first, you adjust in your daily life. However, when you travel, you are thrown into a new set of circumstances that can put you in a tough spot if you are unprepared. Creating a plan for transporting and storing your firearm during your trip can help you keep your trip as smooth as possible. 

Concealed Carry Reciprocity

Knowing your destination state’s reciprocity for your concealed carry license should be the foundation of your concealed carry plan. If the state does not honor your license, the rest of your travel plans won’t matter. You can still transport your firearm through a non-honoring state, but it’s a good idea to visit the local law enforcement agency’s website or give them a call for more information.  

As you check off your list, let’s take a closer look at some of the potential transportation rules you may encounter before traveling. 

TSA Gun Rules and Other Transportation Guidelines

Respecting Protected Spaces: Airports and Airplanes

Firearms are an absolute nonstarter on planes and in most parts of an airport. In our previous article covering firearm bans and unlawful carry, we briefly discussed the “sterile areas” of airports (the TSA check and beyond) where firearms are strictly prohibited. 

If you put your firearm in your carry-on bag or have it on you when going through the TSA check, this can result in hefty fines and a visit from local law enforcement. Don’t be one of the more than six thousand passengers who left their firearm in their carry-on last year. 

You can legally transport your firearm via airplane by putting it unloaded in a secure box in your checked bag. The TSA considers a firearm loaded when there is a live round of ammunition in the chamber or in a magazine in the gun. Double-check your firearm before going to make sure it’s unloaded. You must declare your firearm before checking it for your flight. 

While airports and airplanes tend to have the most strict rules on firearms, it’s also essential to know the policies of any grounded transportation you plan to use during your travels.

Are Guns Allowed on the Bus?

If you’re looking to travel by bus, it’s a great idea to check their website or call ahead to make sure you understand their rules and policies. Many large bus lines, like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines, strictly prohibit firearms in their vehicles. 

What About My Rental?

When you rent a ride, you may be allowed as much freedom as traveling in your own vehicle, depending on your rental service. However, it’s important to remember that a rented car is the private property of the company. It’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions or talk with a representative of your rental company when questions arise. 

Always double-check when you turn in your rental car. The last thing you want to do is leave your firearm in the car. Not only is this irresponsible, but it may also be illegal, as many states have strict rules against leaving a firearm in an uncontrolled space. 

Once you get your transportation situation squared away, ensure you know the hotel firearm policy before checking in. 

What’s My Hotel’s Firearms Policy?

Regardless of the state’s reciprocity, your hotel is a private business that can develop guest firearm rules. Some hotels allow guests to carry firearms if they have an honored CCW license. Others may ask for your firearm to be securely stored before checking in. Some hotel websites may have policies listed, while others require checking with a staff member. 

There is variance from hotel to hotel, so it’s essential to do your homework before you finish packing your bag.

Give Your Firearm the Perfect Home While You’re Away

While it’s great to have your concealed carry weapon on you when you can, having a discreet, locked space you can utilize when you can’t carry is great. The concealment flags, decor and wall art at Liberty Home Concealment are handcrafted to do just that. Not only can you keep your gun secure, but you can keep it encased in a stunning piece of craftsmanship. When you’re at home or away, the concealment products at LHC have you covered. 

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Hanging instructions for the Patriot Wall Shelf

Factors to consider befor you start

Installing a Patriot wall shelf can be a very simple project but there are several factors that you need to understand. our shelves have been designed to work with standard pine 2X4 construction that was 16" on center. Because they were designed around the 16" on center pine 2X4 framed walls that is the process for our instructions. Installing the shelves on amy other type of wall is done at your risk. Liberty Home Concealment does not advise you to attempt installing your shelf onto amy other type of wall.

Understanding what is beneath your walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of hanging a shelf on your wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install the shelf on the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning yur shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority.

Safety First

As a consurmer of Liberty Home Concealment, it is a safe assumption that you are a gun owner. Liberty Home Concealment sincerely hopes that you have a great grasp of the concept of SAFETY FIRST. The installation of our shelves requires several steps and we highly recommend that you have a friend help you with the installation. This is very important as the size and moving parts of the shelves can make the installation very cumbersome and potentially dangerous for a single person to accomplish by themselves. So please, we urge you to get some help. Secondly, proper tools that are in good serviceable condition are a must. Please use your tools in a manner consistent with the manufacturers intended use. Using proper tools can make the installation quick, simple and enjoyable. But most importantly, SAFE. So, save yourself the trouble and use the proper tools.

CAUTION!!

Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY and even DEATH!

Tools that should be considered for a safe proper installation

Stud finder, Tape measure, Pencil, Level, Electric screw driver, and Safety glasses.

Step 1

Confirm your desired wall has adequate support by finding the studs with the stud finder. Also, remove the foam insert until later instruction. Mark your stud locations and transfer those measurement onto your shelf. Drill pilot holes through shelf in marked locations. We recommend using a 1/8" or 3/16" bit for the pilot hole. A hole too big will allow the screw to pull right through the back of the shelf. That would be bad. And unnecessary. Please use the proper drill bit. Depending on your wall you should be able to locate at least two studs to anchor your shelf into for maximum strength. Some walls may even allow for three studs to be anchored into. The shelf MUST use at LEAST (2) pine 2X4 studs and the shelf bracket's to fully support the finished loaded weight.

Step 2

With the help of a friend, and using a level and your original measurements hold the shelf in its desired location and transfer the pilot hole locations to the wall. You should be using a minimum of two studs for this step. Each stud receiving (3) screw locations. Two internally, and the other two in the brackets on top. For now, only focus on marking the internal locations. Mark the four internal screw holes. Make sure to hold your shelf nice and level for this step or yur final installation will be crooked.

Step 3

With the help of a friend, hold the shelf into its' mounting location. Line up the holes in the shelf with the marks in your wall and your wall anchors, and install the six long wood screws into the wall. Four into two different studs, and two into the wall anchors.

Step 4

Installing the shelf brackets to the TOP of your shelf. At this point your shelf is attatched to the wall but it is not ready for any weight. Please DO NOT ADD ANY WEIGHT until you have firmly mounted and anchored your brackets into the top. Have your friend help you support the weight of the shelf until you can get the brackets tightly mounted to the desired location on your wall studs. Again, use two studs. Do not add weight to your shelf either inside, or on top, until both brackets are fully installed. Using the supplied 3/4" screws attach brackets to the top of the shelf and 2 of the longer screws for the stud attachment.

Step 5

Unlocking your shelf. Use your magnetic key to locate and unlock the bottom of the shelf. Do this while the shelf is open so you can see what is going on. You may even want ot make two small marks on the bottom of the shelf if it helps you to locate the pickup. It will take a little practice to find the location of the magnetic pick up but you will find it. Make sure you aren't inadvertently trying to unlock the gas damper. Once the location of the lock pickup is located, the magnet will hold itself in place. However, the shelf will not fully disengage the locks until you release the pressure on the locks by lifting the shelf slightly upward with a simple squeeze of your hands. Once you hear the audible clicks of the locks disengaging you can slowly open the shelf allowing the gas damper to lower the shelf to its resting stop.

Concealment Picture Frame Installation Instructions

Consider What is Beneath Your Walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of cutting a hole in a wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install this item in the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning your shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority. CAUTION!! Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY or even DEATH!!

Recommended Tools

These tools are not required to install your Liberty Home Concealment picture freame however they will help with the installation process. Stud Finder, tape measure, level, pencil, jigsaw, circular saw, keyhole saw, Sawzall, drill/driver, inspection mirror, flashlight and a second set of hands to help with marking your wall before cutting. These products were designed to work with "standard" 2X4 construction that was framed on 16" centers.

Step 1

Acquire all the tools to complete the job. Do not forget about proper personal protective gear.

Step 2

Confirm that your wall space is empty!! Failure to do so could result in serious injury or even death!

Step 3

Clean your work area around your desired install location. Cover any furniture with a tarp, drop cloth, or painter's plastic to aid in quick easy cleanup.

Step 4

Use a stud finder to locate the space between two studs. Confirm that you have 14.5" between the two stud edges before marking and cutting your walls.

Step 5

The back box of your picture frame is the size you need to make your hole. Hold picture frame tight against the wall and use your level to ensure frame is sitting level against the wall. On smaller sized picture frames such as 5"X7" and 8"X10" you will fasten to both studs. While holding the picture frame tight against the wall while checking for level and trace around the outside perimeter of the picture frames back box.

Step 6

Before cutting the entire wall opening Liberty Home Concealment recommends that you cut a small hole within the area that wil become the full-size hole. This is done to check and confirm your wall is truly clear of obstructions inside the wall such as electrical wiring plumbing. It's much easier to patch a small hole vs repairing a large hole because you got ahead of yourself. Do not skip this step!!

Step 7

Once you are sure that there are no obstacles inside your cut area, cut the full rectangle that you have marked previously. Remove drywall cutout away from the wall.

Step 8

Slide your new insert/picture frame into the hole you just cut.

Step 9

Use the supplied screws to fasten to the stud or studs that run up the sides of the rear of the box. On smaller frames box will only fasten to the stud you biased your hole towards.

Picture Installation

1. Lay frame face down on soft surface such as a towel or blanket. 2. Hold firmly and slide picture frame in to the open position. 3. Remove four metal picture retainer clips, if clips are tight use a flat bladed screw driver to wiggle free. 4. Remove wood backer noard and lay picture onto glass. Making sure of proper orientation. 5. Reinstall backer board and 4 retaining clips. 6. Slide picture frame closed and enjoy!

Wall maunting instructions for Freedom Series Coat Rack

Recommendation

Liberty Home Concealmemt does not recommend the use of hollow wall anchors to mount larger items on your walls. While anchors may provide sufficient holding capability, Liberty Home Concealment recommends attaching directly to the studs located inside your wall to ensure the most secure level of attachment.

Step 1

Choose the desired location of the item you are wanting to mount your coat rack.

Step 2

Once you have your ideal location use a stud finder to locate 2 studs in your wall that will support your coat rack. Mark the location of each stud's center with a pencil. Use a nail to confirm stud has been located.

Step 3

Hold product against wall and use level to make sure it is even. Use a friend to help hold level while transferring stud location marks to inside of product to be mounted. Tip: Remember the adage "Measure twice cut once." That same rule applies when making holes in your walls.

Step 4

Check that product is plumb and level before securing. Once proper placement is achieve fasten first screw through product and into stud. Re check for level and attach second screw into next stud.

Step 5

Step back and admire your handy work. Now get started filling your piece of concealment furniture with all the items you are wanting to keep stored securely out of sight. ENJOY!!

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