How do I get my handgun to TX?

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JoeShmoe

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I'm going to be in the Dallas area on business for about 5 weeks. I'll be staying in a hotel the entire time. I have a CC permit in New York which is recognized in TX. I'd like to have a handgun with me while I'm there. Here are the issues.

1. There's no way I would attempt to check a handgun in my bag flying out of LaGuardia. Can I ship it to myself to my hotel, via UPS? Is it reasonable to expect that I would receive it on the other end?

2. I would not be able to take the gun with me to the workplace during the day. Would it be unreasonable to leave the gun in a lockbox locked to the bedframe in my hotel room when I cannot have it with me? A housekeeper would be in my room cleaning every day.

I may be answering my own questions here, but I really hate to be 5 weeks without a gun. Has anyone done this before?
 
You can check an unloaded weapon if it travels with your checked baggage. You have to declare it at the check-in counter and have it in a lockable case.
 
A procedure that can be quite easy though sometimes the airline people act like it's the first time it's ever happened. Its a good idea to arrive at the airport early in case the people become confused. Taking it to the work place discretely may well be legal though its a near certainty that the work place would not like it if they knew.
 
Ya might do some research to make sure your gun case is airline approved if you check it, not all of the hard cases are.

Also, Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine (kinda Northwest of Dallas) has an indoor range and is a great place to shoot.

Enjoy your visit to the promised land,
LeonCarr
 
I don't think you can ship it because if you do I believe it has to go to an FFL here in TX and then back to one in NY. I have traveled to other states and sent my gun via checked baggage on the airline several times. As stated you have to declare it and follow the procedures but it is really pretty simple. Also I understand you can't take it into your workplace but could you leave it in your vehicle perhaps when at work?
 
Most hotels I have stayed at have in-room safes that you set the combination yourself when you shut it. When I stay at them that is where the guns go if I'm not carrying them, never had a problem.

I would call the hotel and inquire if they have those safes available. If not, they are supposed to have safes available for guests to use at main desk? I think. Might have to put the gun in a "plain brown wrapper" and place it there yourself, need to check on that one.
 
I recently flew to fl from va with my glock 26 and it was actually pretty painless, they didnt even have me open my case. I bought a pelican case with 2 lock holes. the gun was unloaded, bolt locked to the rear, and had a chamber lock. inside the case i had 2 unlocked locks that the airline could replace just in case they cut the locks on the case. and the case was also inside my locked luggage bag. They did xray my bag and have me declare it, but i guess they could tell it was unloaded since it was open chambered.
 
I would say that my chances of being arrested while trying to check a handgun at LaGuardia airport would be about 50/50, even if it is entirely legal to do so. I'd really like to hear from someone who's actually done it.
 
I've checked firearms (long guns and handguns both) a number of times at LaGuardia. I have no idea why you would think it's "hazardous" to do so.
 
Oro said:
I've checked firearms (long guns and handguns both) a number of times at LaGuardia. I have no idea why you would think it's "hazardous" to do so.
Click to expand...
Because my pistol permit is not valid in New York City, and I am not confident that the airline personnel, TSA, or the Port Authority Police, know or follow the law. Here's a quote from the NRA-ILA website regarding interstate transport.

"Travelers should be aware that New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts do not follow the regulations established for interstate transport."

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=73

There's also a link there, to a letter from the DOJ acknowledging that people have been arrested at JFK and Albany airports, attempting to check a handgun.
 
It is well-established that you can ship a firearm to yourself, by common carrier. It must be sent to you, in care of the person at your destination, and be opened only by you when you arrive. I don't have a link to that, but it should not be difficult to find.

I do ALWAYS recommend that one look up the relevant law, and read it for themselves, regardless of what I say. Though I wear a badge, I am neither BATFE, nor a lawyer.
 
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I have heard and read that if you aren't transfering a gun form one person to another, you can ship back and fourth between states to yourself. Sounds logical since it isn't an interstate transfer and technically it would be like taking it from one state to another.....
 
Joe,

Why LaGuardia? Is there any other airport you can fly to Dallas from? Heck.. take a bus to some other regional airport and then fly out!

Deaf
 
Because my pistol permit is not valid in New York City, and I am not confident that the airline personnel, TSA, or the Port Authority Police, know or follow the law.
Click to expand...

They do follow the laws, there are people flying in an out of LaGuardia daily with firearms.

There was ONE case in recent memory where an NJ port officer made a bad call with a traveler, and it was resolved in favor of the traveler and with a substantial cash payout as I recall. Sounds like that quote is a little scaremongering. Remember, the NRA is very much about scaring you into fearing for your gun rights - that's what gets them members. I'm a member, but they aren't always the most objective about portraying the totality of the situation.
 
I've shipped firearms (pistols and long guns) to myself, to and from Texas on several occasions. Works great.


-Matt
 
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