How do I move my guns to another state?

Federal law lets you move lawfully owned firearms when you change your state of residence, ATF says. If a moving company carries them, you must tell the mover the shipment includes firearms.

If you drive them yourself, 18 U.S.C. 926A protects you passing through other states only if each gun is unloaded, and neither guns nor ammunition can be reached from the passenger area. With no trunk, use a locked container. The glove box and console don't count.

That protection only runs between places where you may legally have the gun. Your new state's law decides what you can bring, and some states restrict certain guns, magazines or ammunition. Check the destination state police or attorney general's site before you pack. Some NFA items need ATF approval before they cross state lines.

Don't mail ammunition. The Postal Inspection Service says federal law forbids it.

Source: ATF, Firearms Q&A: relocating out-of-state with household goods; 18 U.S.C. § 926A; U.S. Postal Inspection Service · Checked October 2026