CT, NY & VT Gun Law Question

[private snowball]

Background: I live in Florida and my mother and her fiance live primarily in CT. His official residence in in DC, but spends 1/2 his time in Europe. Our family also has a house in VT.

If I wanted to get him a pistol as a wedding present to keep in CT, how can I do this while abiding by gun all laws? If I wanted to get him a 1911, could I fly with it (checked of course) into JFK or LGA and drive the rest of the way to CT? Could I do this and present it to him in person or do I have to go through some red tape for a transfer? Would it be easier just to keep the pistol in VT?

I open to any and all suggestions. I resent the fact that I even have to make these considerations.

Thanks guys!

 

[Zeeemu]

Give him a gift 'certificate' (cash) and let him do the paperwork. You get to avoid any possible 'Imperial entanglements'.

 

[private snowball]

I thought about that Zeemu. I know it is a pain and I am putting myself out there, but I wanted to do something special. Cash as a gift always seemed tacky to me.

 

[vamo]

It is illegal to transfer a gun across state lines without going through a FFL, since this is a pistol it would have to be an FFL in the recipients home state. I do not believe there is a protocol for flying to NY with a pistol, so thats a big no no. Driving through NY is iffy, you'll be covered by federal law if you do, but fighting it would be a pain. If you must drive through, locked case stored separately from any ammo, make minimal stops and don't do anything stupid to draw the ire of any law enforcement.

 

[private snowball]

Vamo- What if my brother, who is a CT resident, bought the pistol and gave it to him? Would that be OK?

 

[vamo]

Just re-read OP official residence in DC good luck with that one. Does he and your mother live together? If she lives in VA or even Maryland gifting it to her and letting it become "theirs" after wedding might be an easier course of action, just don't give him one with any fun features that might be illegal in DC.

 

[private snowball]

They now live together in CT most of the year. It is her primary and official residence.

 

[vamo]

What I stated above should work for CT as far as federal law is concerned I am almost certain CT has some sort of universal BG check in place at this point, so the actual gifting might need to happen at the gun shop.

edit: Like I said above make sure the gift is from your brother to your mom before the wedding even in a super restrictive state like CT things are so much easier when its just 2 citizens from the same state making an exchange.

 

[private snowball]

Thanks Vamo. I appreciate your help!

 

[vamo]

No prob, but do read CT law very carefully before doing anything I've never lived in the state its laws have obviously gotten tighter over the past year.

 

[RPRNY]

Whatever you do, do NOT fly into LGA or JFK with a handgun not registered to you under a NYC permit. The Transit Authority and DA have a well established policy of arrest first, aggressively pursue conviction second, worry about the law never. At best you may end up with thousands in legal fees and an on-going fight to get your handgun back. At worst, you will join others who have been illegally jailed by NYC LEO for acting within Federal Law on firearms transport in the jurisdiction of New York City.

 

[vamo]

Also be aware if they plan on living in DC, there is an arduous registration process and an "approved roster" of handguns, I would think most things legal in CT should be fine, and there are definitely 1911s on the roster, but do take that into consideration when making the purchase.

 

[zoom6zoom]

This is one of those situations where a gift certificate may be a better idea. Most of the jurisdictions you are trying to work with here are rocky shoals to say the least.

 

[private snowball]

Thanks again guys. I appreciate the warnings and important insight. Maybe I will just buy him a sweet 1911 and keep at my house in Florida.

 

[RussB]

Does the groom-to-be have a valid CT pistol permit? He will need it to take possession of any handgun in CT

I do not know the laws well enough to advise you, but I will suggest buying a pistol for him in CT. There are a couple great stores in the greater Hartford area that stock some nice 1911's

Hoffman's Guns

Newington Gun Exchange

 

[private snowball]

Hi Russ, It is in Greenwich and the only gun store there specializes in really high end shotguns.

 

[RussB]

CT is relatively small, you're only an hour away

 

[RPRNY]

Hi Russ, It is in Greenwich and the only gun store there specializes in really high end shotguns.

Run by a lunatic.

 

[private snowball]

Hi RPRNY, Are you talking about Griffin and Howe? The manager might be a little off, but I love the fact that you can walk in there, get poured a cup of coffee, light up a cigarette and fondle $20k shotguns. Whenever I visit Greenwich I always stop in. Maybe one day I will actually buy one. (unlikely)

 

[RPRNY]

Hi RPRNY, Are you talking about Griffin and Howe? The manager might be a little off, but I love the fact that you can walk in there, get poured a cup of coffee, light up a cigarette and fondle $20k shotguns. Whenever I visit Greenwich I always stop in. Maybe one day I will actually buy one. (unlikely)

No. I forgot about G&H. I was talking about that nut-job Hanny at Eurochasse.