Flying with firearms

[Duffy1]

I am going to be heading down to florida for a 2 day IPSC training course - flying of course. I live in Connecticut but Westchester County Airport in NY is very convenient for me. I've read the TSA rules, sent them a note for clarification, called the airline and gotten their requirements and have even sent a note off to the Westchester County Police. Why am I nervous? Because I have heard and read stories of travellers who have complied with the rules and still get arrested or have their guns confiscated. Am I being paranoid? Anything else I need to know to travel safely with my guns?

BTW - I had one police officer tell me I needed a valid/current pistol permit for the state I was traveling to and another officer said no - not necessary. I happen to have a a Florida concealed carry permit as well as my Connecticut carry Permit but I don't have a NYS Pistol Permit (impossible to get for out of state residents) can anyone point me to where I can get clarification (I intend to carry copies of all the rules and e-mails to and from the appropriate law enforcement with me)?

Thanks,

 

[carebear]

No, you don't need a valid carry permit for your destination to take a weapon there as long as you don't plan to carry the weapon. You just have to abide by the transport and storage rules on your way to and from the range.

I do believe the weapon has to be legal to be possessed in the destination state. The federal weapons transport laws are supposed to protect you for things like your continuous trip into NY for the airport but, as you've noted, being in the right doesn't keep you from being arrested/interfered with.

Beyond that I'm not sure. One good source for info (though I wouldn't expect to cite it in court) is www.packing.org . It was designed to address such questions and has a good set of links to actual statutes and such.

 

[atlctyslkr]

No you're right to be paranoid. http://www.nysrpa.org/airportwarning.htm It is pretty much illegal to bring a handgun in New York without a NYS license. I would not do it. I would find another way. Maybe you could FEDEX your firearm to yourself at your destination. I've read about people doing that to get around the NY airport problem. Of course you could always not patronize NY airports. Since I found out how they treat law abiding citizens traveling with firearms I haven't been up there and won't return. It seems that the Feds are working on it http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/FederalGunLaws.aspx?ID=59