While we are hot on the subject of traveling with firearms, I thought I would post a similar thread regarding JFK.

When returning (not leaving) through JFK, you have to clear customs there. If you have a handgun, they are going to give you a hard time. New York City requires a permit, almost unobtanium, to have a handgun in your possession (long guns too, but they didn't hassle me about those), so when you walk out the door of the customs area to go to the domestic transfer desk, you are in violation.

The only thing that saved my bacon was the fact that I was able to produce my FFL and that impressed the heck out of the customs guy, who then accompanied me and stood with me for 15 minutes in the check-in line.

I expect there might be a similar problem at SFO although I haven't tried it.

Correct -- several people have been arrested or threatened with arrest at JFK and other airports in NY state. Best for handgunners to pick another route.

The solution to this problem?

ATLANTA.

It is against state law for non-residents to possess handguns within NYS (with a few exceptions for competitive shooting and police on official business). It is okay if they are in checked-through baggage.

Newark-Libery Airport in the People's Republic of NJ does not hassle you in the least.

George

How rough is it to switch airports (Kennedy to Laguardia) with rifles in tow? That's the way we had to schedule or return trip at the end of this month.

Damn! Would they call Barnes X bullets hollow points?

"The solution to this problem?

ATLANTA."

Aren't they switching from Atlanta to Dulles shortly?

[quote
Actually, you CAN possess hollow-points in NJ. Here are the statutes:

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Of course you are correct that there are exceptions -- but I will note for anyone who didn't wade through it, that none of those exceptions help you when you are actually being arrested at the airport.

In fact the person I talked to was on her way from the place where she'd purchased them, to her dwelling -- both in states other than NJ. I don't know if the exception was ever raised -- but I do know she was arrested.

John

Yes, the people at the airports tend to VERY ignorant about the laws, or just choose to ignore them while on their power trips.

If you must bring hollow pointed pistol ammunition through NJ, just filled the cavity with dark wax (hey, it's no longer a hollow nose, is it? ).

George

Maybe someone can help me on the actual interstate commerce law, but there is a law that states you can transport a handgun as checked baggage as long as it is legal in the originating state and the state of final destination, which would be your home state. As long as the handgun is legal in your home state, you may transport it thru the airport as checked luggage. If you have your luggage checked all the way thru to your home airport, do you even leave the intl. area at JFK before you recheck your luggage? I can't remember, but I've never had a problem in the last 6 trips thru with a 454 cassul revolver. West Palm Beach sucks with any firearms, but I never had a problem at JFK.

The problem arises when returning to the USA via JFK since you have to claim you bag, walk out of customs (into an area that falls under the jurisdiction of NYC)with your bag in your hand, and then recheck your bag.

It's a screwed up system. We should have federal gun laws, no state or local jurisdiction whatsoever.

"...anti-gun local governments ignore it anyway."

A lawyer for the city of Chicago, when shown that statute, said "Federal law does not apply in Chicago." He did eventually retract the statement but that shows the basic attitude.