FOPA (Firearm Owners Protection Act)
Also known as: safe passage
A 1986 federal law that, among other things, provides 'safe passage' protection for transporting firearms through states where they'd otherwise be restricted.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 reformed several federal gun laws. Its most cited provision for travelers is 'safe passage' (18 U.S.C. §926A): if you may legally possess a firearm at your origin and destination, you may transport it through states in between, provided the firearm is unloaded and the gun and ammo are not readily accessible — typically locked in the trunk, away from the passenger compartment.
Safe passage protects transport, not carry, and some restrictive jurisdictions interpret it narrowly, so stops, detours, and accessible firearms can create legal risk. FOPA also limited the ATF and addressed dealer record rules. When crossing state lines, plan your route and storage carefully and verify each state's stance.