Some CalGun expertise needed please

[MarinRange42]

So I have a trip coming up and details below. I am trying to decide as to if I want to bring my firearm and bear spray for added protection or leave it all behind. And the details of how to get the firearm to and from and the laws are what I am wrestling with. Since I am the only man of 4 on the trip and we are staying in some remote areas, I'd rather be prepared to steal a line from the Scouts of America.

My trip:
Fly from San Francisco to Salt Lake City Utah
We rent car and stay in Park City Utah 1 night
Spend the day on the mountain together then leave for Yellowstone around 3pm (5hrs drive).
Now we stay two nights deep in Yellowstone National Park in a discreet ranch with scattered cabins along the countryside and somewhat off the beaten path.
Then drive back to Park City for two nights.
Salt Lake City flight home to SFO.

So there are three states involved and that flight. I would prefer not to play games with the airline and bring via locked container in the checked luggage. To tell the truth I would likely just buy bear spray when over there.

Can I ship my spray and 9mm over to a FFL? Then Pickup? Return for Shipment back?

And regarding the laws while in Utah and Wyoming. I see evidence of both permit required and open carry and locked box carry options. And I see a "reciprocity" law for CCW in both states.

Do I need to apply for a permit as I read it and has anyone done this type of scenario?

I do not have a CCW in California or in Marin County (last place on earth

Thanks for any input in advance. Will add poll...is it worth it?

[Oldmandan]

A Nevada Non-resident license with let you carry in both Utah & Wyoming, but it takes approx 6 months to receive after submission.

No, not worth it

[Metal God]

Nevada does not take 6 months . By there law 90 days max . If you do not have an answer (yes or no ) with in 90 day they shall issue the permit . Now it does require you to take a 8hr class in Nevada and then go to ( i forget where ) to turn in the paper work and take pic . I just did a road trip to Vegas and stayed a few nights and took care of the class and paper work while I was there .

FWIW , one of the best classes I ever took .

[-hanko]

If you're concerned about big bears...

...this is the place to be.

I'd buy the spray on the way out of Park City.

I'd assume that the "discreet" cabin management may / should have other bear solutions readily available. This time of year, I'd back up and turn around if I encountered a sow.

[MarinRange42]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Found a few things out. Thought I'd share to the enormous wealth of replies vs views

1) Can take a Utah ccw class right here in CA and better yet within the Bay Area (actually a few within a stone's throw). And it should take about 60ish days to process. Since I will be traveling within that time, I won't be able to ccw anytime during the trip between Utah and Wyoming. But the Utah ccw is recognized in many of the states. So at the very least it will be great experience.

2) For a firearm to be shipped in checked luggage on my airline, it has to be in a hard case locked container, unloaded and ammo has different rules including a separate corrugated box. I must have the only key. And after notification at the baggage check in counter, it will count as one of my two bags as it has to be stand alone in luggage. Taking up a bag is a real bummer.

3) In order to ship it out ahead of time. ATF provides it is legal as long as I send the package to the destination unloaded with no ammo and "in care of my name" and most importantly it is not opened by anyone else but me. If so, goodbye firearm. Cannot ship ammo it seems. Most importantly it is against the law to not inform Fed Ex or UPS of the type of item in advance.

4) Fed Ex and UPS have very different "laws" on how to ship within the states from yourself and to yourself. Those requirements are listed on their web sites and it's a federal law broken if you get it wrong.

5) Once over to Utah transporting in locked container in the car is about the same as CA. And Wyoming is an open carry state as is Yellowstone National Park.

Hope this helps someone doing a search later....

[P5Ret]

I don't think you can even take the bear spray in luggage, so I'd pick some up there and pass it on to someone in the park as your leaving. Just checked FAA hazardous materials site bear spray is a no go, unless it's under 4 ounces.

[brian5271]

Thanks for the advice fellas. Found a few things out. Thought I'd share to the enormous wealth of replies vs views

1) Can take a Utah ccw class right here in CA and better yet within the Bay Area (actually a few within a stone's throw). And it should take about 60ish days to process. Since I will be traveling within that time, I won't be able to ccw anytime during the trip between Utah and Wyoming. But the Utah ccw is recognized in many of the states. So at the very least it will be great experience.

2) For a firearm to be shipped in checked luggage on my airline, it has to be in a hard case locked container, unloaded and ammo has different rules including a separate corrugated box. I must have the only key. And after notification at the baggage check in counter, it will count as one of my two bags as it has to be stand alone in luggage. Taking up a bag is a real bummer.

3) In order to ship it out ahead of time. ATF provides it is legal as long as I send the package to the destination unloaded with no ammo and "in care of my name" and most importantly it is not opened by anyone else but me. If so, goodbye firearm. Cannot ship ammo it seems. Most importantly it is against the law to not inform Fed Ex or UPS of the type of item in advance.

4) Fed Ex and UPS have very different "laws" on how to ship within the states from yourself and to yourself. Those requirements are listed on their web sites and it's a federal law broken if you get it wrong.

5) Once over to Utah transporting in locked container in the car is about the same as CA. And Wyoming is an open carry state as is Yellowstone National Park.

Hope this helps someone doing a search later....

If you decide to ship the gun, make sure you do a little more research on shipping guns. There is a huge difference between FedEx and UPS rules vs state and federal laws. Breaking a company rule is not breaking the law.

[jcourson]

2) For a firearm to be shipped in checked luggage on my airline, it has to be in a hard case locked container, unloaded and ammo has different rules including a separate corrugated box. I must have the only key. And after notification at the baggage check in counter, it will count as one of my two bags as it has to be stand alone in luggage. Taking up a bag is a real bummer.

Unless this is unique to the airline you are using, it is incorrect. The hard case can be inside your luggage (the hard case has to have a non TSA lock on it, with you retaining the only key). Ammo rules vary, but generally under 11'ish pounds, in factory case or case made specifically for ammo. Pretty sure ammo can be in the same hard case (too lazy to pull TSA regs atm), TSA has never complained that my magazines have rounds in them in my hard case (no mag in the weapon).