PCS Orders with Firearms

[smokinstang65]

Hey folks, so I just graduated from Naval OCS back in May and was TAD back here in Cali for the past 6 months. In four days I've got to start my DITY move back to the east coast. When we got briefed on moves at OCS it was a 1 hour power point (Good God power points suck) and they were extremely vague on rules/regulations involving DITY moves or the whole, letting the navy move my stuff for me. All that I picked up was that if the Navy loaded my stuff to move, they wouldn't transport ammo. Is that correct or did I just misread something?

Anyways, I decided to do a DITY move. Is there anything I need to know about transporting my firearms and ammunition to my next duty station? I know my firearms are completely legal where I'm moving to.

Also, DLA, am I correct in my belief that this is pretty much free money for each PCS?

[greybeard]

Actually most (all) moving company do not ship ammo. If you get a good driver, who understands that ammo is delivered by truck,he will take it.
I once had a car shipped for 25% of the the company wanted by talking to the driver. Drivers tend to be independent contractors. That does mean you want to the day of the move to find out. Just have the packers pack it. It fits in you car better packed

[Massan]

Be interesting to see what information pops up since with any luck I should be leaving this place also sometime next year as this will be my first PCS with firearms. I remember getting a brief/paperwork stating that personal firearms can be moved provided they are properly secured and cleared but would you trust them with your stuff? Ammo, not so sure. Can always buy more ammo at the new place and just have a really long day at the range to clear your stash.

[roll2li]

Usually the shipping companies don't move any POLs, ammo or explosives (just think what would require hazdecs on their shipping). I've moved cross country four times thanks to the Navy and the greatest resource you need an up to date copy of the "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States." That book is invaluable as it'll lead you through the nuances e.g. New Jersey where firearms may not be carried in a vehicle without a NJ carry permit BUT through travel is allowed if weapons are unloaded and in a trunk etc. etc. I grew up in Colorado and until I started traveling with the Navy was largely unaware that other states had such restrictive laws.

I *think* you can have them move/ship your firearms to an FFL dealer at your new duty station, unless you accompany their truck the whole way but like it was mentioned, all these guys are independent and can refuse.

I look at DLA as compensation. While the PCS money will cover your travel expenses, you need that extra pay for all the moving related hassle you're going through such as buying/selling household supplies, throwing going away parties or buying a new set of pelican cases for your long guns.

I would always suggest some sort of DITY with your personal stuff. In my last move the movers somehow packed my dress sword with other tools and bent the blade. Full moves should only occur when you're going overseas. Just make sure to get all your lading receipts (empty weight prior to move, loaded weight, loaded weight at new duty station <-- most important one if they're sticklers).

[todd2968]

What state that makes all the difference.
You can do a partial dty move for you valuables and guns/ammo and leave the big stuff to the movers.
Also don't bring guns on base.
Don't let the maid find your guns in hotel keep the do not disturb or tell the staff your moving your stuff across country so I have guns in a case in there.
so they don't freak and call the cops.

[holasrmateo]

You heard correctly. The government contracted movers don't transport firearms, explosives, or any volatile materials. It probably has to do with liability and varying laws by state and higher certification to transport certain materials (like a propane tank) for money.

Depending on how much stuff you have, I endorse the full DITY if you have a ton of stuff. As a single O-1 you are entitled to like 10K pounds (which is like an house worth of junk). And remember to save any and all receipts, truck if you rent one, gas, tolls, weigh tickets, even for packing materials such as tape. All of that is deductible from whatever profit you make because the government will later tax it at 28% (which is BS).

I PCS'ed last year for the second time. Made like 4K after taxes. It wasn't fun but just think of it as a few days of hard work for a few extra thousand dollars. And unlike the government movers, you have your stuff when you arrive at your next duty station. If you even do a partial, it could be a few weeks before your stuff makes it across the country which isn't fun either since the time to start the process was at OCS. PM if you have any questions.

Regardless of what you do, remember that if you stay on base to look for off base housing, you have to run in your firearms to the armory or something. I've never done it, it sounds like a hassle. Just don't go through the gate with a gun; locked or otherwise.

[holasrmateo]

Oh DLA is free money. Take it. You are being forced, not asked to move, even if it is the life style you signed up for. Last year DLA went to my VA Home loan, DITY went to a new washer, dryer and refrigerator (all of which are tax deductible), and then I got an 8K tax credit for buying a house.

And while we're on the subject of basically not paying taxes, California does not tax residents in the military stationed outside of California. It will still come out of your paycheck but when you file, and ask, you should get it all back. In short maintain your residency. With your orders, which you should always have a copy, you can buy guns in the state of your duty station as if you are a resident of that state.

[smokinstang65]

Oh DLA is free money. Take it. You are being forced, not asked to move, even if it is the life style you signed up for. Last year DLA went to my VA Home loan, DITY went to a new washer, dryer and refrigerator (all of which are tax deductible), and then I got an 8K tax credit for buying a house.

And while we're on the subject of basically not paying taxes, California does not tax residents in the military stationed outside of California. It will still come out of your paycheck but when you file, and ask, you should get it all back. In short maintain your residency. With your orders, which you should always have a copy, you can buy guns in the state of your duty station as if you are a resident of that state.

Holy crap, that is GREAT. I didn't realize about the tax thing. I'd just debated dropping my Cali DL so that I could buy guns in other states but if orders are all I need (well orders and an understanding gunshop) then I'll hold onto. Thanks for the gouge, that's good info. I'm definitely doing a DITY move, I've got my truck and trailer rented and am just waiting to pick them up this week to get my car and crap loaded in.

[turbomkt]

Who says Cali doesn't tax residents outside of the state? I paid California tax regardless of where I was located, unless it was a tax free zone.

If you spend any significant time in a military friendly state, make the change. Also consider how much it will cost to register vehicles in the state

[holasrmateo]

Holy crap, that is GREAT. I didn't realize about the tax thing. I'd just debated dropping my Cali DL so that I could buy guns in other states but if orders are all I need (well orders and an understanding gunshop) then I'll hold onto. Thanks for the gouge, that's good info. I'm definitely doing a DITY move, I've got my truck and trailer rented and am just waiting to pick them up this week to get my car and crap loaded in.

There's no understanding about it. For several purposes, including buying a gun or a concealed carry license, your orders make you a legal resident of that state. If anything your California DL gets you greeted with open arms at gun stores like you've entered the promised land or something. Anyway all you need is your DL, your orders, something with your physical address in state (usually a bill; may or may not be required but it was for me and makes sense) and a background check which you should pass. Most states don't have waiting periods or only for pistols, no limit on how many per a month (although if you buy a pallet of them next to the border you might get stopped), no permit, no registration and no FFL for private party transfers.

And tax services are free on base but like most of the people at HR Block, most are trained in seasonal tax work, with a few actual tax accountants, so I choose to do it myself online (with HR Block. Another thing you learn from the moving process, how to do your own taxes. I forget which field it is on your state taxes, so if you have trouble, call a tax agency in California (outside they won't know what you are talking about) until you get an answer.

Furthermore, as a legal California resident, your citizenship entitles you the ability to vote in California elections. There is my legal residence, which I haven't physically dwelled for years, and my mailing address, and unless you actively renounce your California residency/citizenship (like taking up another), it can't be taken from you. I am basically emailed election material and a ballot every election and fax it back with a special cover sheet no matter where I physically am in the world. unless you're a communist. Then disregard what I just wrote.

As for the DITY, I believe the truck is deductible, the trailer is not, but whatever you will still make bank. Keep the weigh tickets or your SOL.

[holasrmateo]

Who says Cali doesn't tax residents outside of the state? I paid California tax regardless of where I was located, unless it was a tax free zone.

If you spend any significant time in a military friendly state, make the change. Also consider how much it will cost to register vehicles in the state

If you are active duty military, a California resident, stationed outside of California, you are exempt from state income tax. They still take it from your paycheck, but when you file, you get it all back. Most states that I am aware of have laws like that for residents in the military in other states. Money made abroad is a different story, that is unless you are in a combat zone, and then it can't be touched.

Also I have Florida plates on my car and annual registration is $54. In California I think its $42 (initial registration is kind of high but if you already have the car who cares). Despite what people think, California isn't actually the worst offender when it comes to taxes.

Take Texas for example. There is no state income tax, but local governments have to make money some how, so sales tax is pretty much the same as a lot of California (in my current county it's actually higher than Orange County), property tax is definitely higher in Texas, in a lot of places its either toll roads (a tax) or no roads, and even with higher education getting slashed in California , community college is still cheaper, CSU just got to the national average, and UC is the same as UVA or Michigan. UT is way more expensive. 28 million people and a $70 billion budget has to come from somewhere (California is 37 and 90 or something).

If you look at what costs the most in California, its the land, and most of Texas is a giant Riverside (sorry Riverside). Yes cost of living is more but then again the entire state wasn't over 100F everyday for three months.

[turbomkt]

Ahhh...there have been some changes since I was on active duty. Good info here for California residents in the military: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2010/10_1032.pdf

[Sgt. K]

I recently PCS'd from SC back to Cali and the gov't contractors moved my firearms no problem. I just had to transport my ammo. I also took advantage of my situation while there and scored an easy CCW license and paid like $25 a car for registration, saving hundreds of dollars.

[Funtimes]

Gov't movers will absolutely send your firearms.

Any alcohol (if it was opened), chemicals, ammunition etc... just pack that up yourself and have it marked self-pack. They will then ship it too!

Do take proper care to make sure that stuff won't break and spill though or you could get in a bunch of crap.

[smokinstang65]

Thanks for all the information guys. I made my move via a DITY (PPM now I guess) move and got all of my firearms out here to South Carolina. Oh the fun things I'm now allowed to buy being on orders in the south!