Moving? 2 Things You Should Think Twice About Before Taking Across State Lines

Once you find the house of your dreams and finish packing up your place, you might be ready to load up that moving truck and hit the road. Unfortunately, moving to another state without knowing the rules might land you in hot water. Here are two things you should think twice about before taking across state lines, so that you can abide by the local laws: 

1: Firearms

You have a license for that gun, so why wouldn't you be able to transport it across state lines? To keep citizens safe, state laws regulate the sale, transfer, and relocation of weapons. Unfortunately, if you get pulled over with a gun in the car, and you aren't familiar with the rules in your new state, you could be subject to serious penalties like fines or jail time. Here are a few examples of rules that might be enforced in your new state, and how to stay in compliance:

  • Concealed to Carry Permits: Sure, you have an active concealed to carry permit, but it might not work in your new state. For example, Hawaii, New York, and New Jersey are just a few of the states that have no reciprocity regarding concealed to carry permits, which means you will need to seek a new license.  
  • Gun Safes: To keep other drivers safe, some states require that you keep your firearm inside of a locked case inside of your car during a move. If you want to stay on the safe side, keep your ammunition separate from your weapon, and invest in a small, portable locking case.
  • Magazine Capacity: Before you hit the road, evaluate your weapons to look for extra large ammo magazines. Some places have laws that limit magazine size. 
  • Duty to Inform: Depending on where you move, you might need to notify a police officer about any transported weapons before he or she asks. For example, if you are driving in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Michigan, you need to inform any officer that approaches your vehicle that you have a gun in the car.

To avoid problems, become familiar with the weapon regulations in your destination state. Consider hiring a Licensed Federal Firearms Dealer to ship your weapon for you. In addition to walking you through the paperwork, a professional can make sure that your guns are packaged properly for transport. 

2: Houseplants

That beautiful orchid plant might seem innocent, but if you are moving to a state the relies heavily on agricultural revenue, they might see that cute flower as a dangerous threat to the local ecosystem. Plants can harbor diseases and pests that can infiltrate local plants and destroy large crops of food. For this reason, some states have strict rules regarding moving houseplants across state lines. To protect the local economy, some states require movers to:   

  • Get Their Houseplants Inspected: If you can't part ways with that ficus tree or succulent garden, you might be required to get those houseplants inspected before you can take them to your new home. Some places even issue certificates, so that you can prove that your plants are safe.
  • Quarantine: Because diseases and insects can die off over time, some states ask homeowners to quarantine their plants for a while after they move. For example, if you want to move your herb garden to your new home, you might need to keep it inside for a few months before moving it outdoors.
  • Repot Their Plants In Clean Soil: Fungal diseases and insects can hide inside plant soil, which is why some states ask homeowners to repot their plants in clean soil before moving them across state lines.

Before you move, take an inventory of the houseplants that you have, and contact your destination state's department of agriculture. By doing a little research ahead of time, you might be able to ward off trouble and time delays so that you can enjoy your relocation. To make the move even easier on you, consider hiring a moving company by visiting a site like http://www.movewithunited.com.

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