Page 1 of 1

Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping question

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:16 pm
by Bruenor
I go on an annual camping trip with some friends to PA and we do primitive camping in the Allegheny National Forest.

What I would like to know is how do I complete the ATF travel form 5320.20 so I can take my SBR with me. I was rejected last year since there is no destination address, because we're camping in the middle of a national forest. I tried "Allegheny National Forest - Loggers Road last year and was rejected.

My second travel form for the same item, was approved to the address of the Gun club I go to near Erie PA. which is not close to where we camp.

Does anyone know the trick to completing the form for travel to a non address location ?

Re: Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping questio

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 8:47 pm
by JustaShooter
I don't pretend to know the answer, but if nobody else responds you could try Lat/Long of the campsite...

Re: Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping questio

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:54 am
by Javelin Man
I was thinking of GPS coordinates as well.

Re: Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping questio

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 9:31 pm
by djthomas
The form requires an address so I suspect GPS coords won’t fly. I’ve never done it but I’ve heard people have been successful listing an address and then below that putting “and other lawful locations within the state”

Put the address of a rest facility you will visit, or a restaurant, a Walmart, or any other place you are reasonably likely to stop.

Re: Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping questio

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:19 pm
by Bruenor
OK so I submitted 3 travel forms for PA to see what would fly and what wouldn't, aad to make sure I was set for this year.
Figured I would report back in case anyone was interested

1. Gun club in Erie, PA APPROVED I knew this one would go through since it did last year.
2. Gun club in PA In same county as primitive camping area - APPROVED - Figured this would go through since the one for the other club did, and it's at least int he same county as the are we camp in
3. Submission with GPS Coordinates. APPROVED - this one I wasn't to sure about, but now I know it is acceptable.


On several other sites I saw people reply along the lines of the ATF can regulate interstate travel so all you need is a form to anywhere in the state, once you've crossed state lines the ATF has no say over where you go from there. IOnteresting stance, may have some merit, don't think I want to be the one to find out though.

Re: Traveling with NFA firearms.. Primitive camping questio

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:01 pm
by djthomas
Nice! The GPS coordinates part surprised me. Watch someone else will try and get denied based on the whims of the examiner. :roll:

I get the intrastate argument but to be really technical you're still traveling interstate until you reach your destination. Nothing says you have to stay at that destination very long though. My first destination of record could be the welcome center on the interstate highway as I cross into the state.