Gents:
My agent wants to route me through New Jersey on United on my way to Africa in June. Any problems transiting with a hunting rifle (this year it will be an old 4-bore Rodda)?

I'm sure the transit is safe but my concern is if I miss a flight for any reason (covid?) and have to collect my luggage I won't have a license for a rifle in NJ and don't have a permit for my home state as permits are not required in alaska.

Your thoughts and advice is appreciated.
Cal

https://www.njsp.org/firearms/transport-firearm.shtml
Firearms Information
Transporting a Firearm Into / Through the State of New Jersey
NJSP Firearms Investigation Unit
P.O. Box 7068
West Trenton, New Jersey 08628-0068
609-882-2000 Extension 2290 (Phone)
609-406-9826 Fax

All firearms transported into the State of New Jersey:
Shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel, shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console.
For additional exemptions refer to Chapter 39, namely 2C:39-6g.

All firearms transported through the State of New Jersey:
The following guidelines are provided in order to assist law enforcement officers in applying New Jersey's firearms laws to persons who are transporting firearms through the State of New Jersey.

New Jersey laws governing firearms permits, purchaser identification cards, registration and licenses do not apply to a person who is transporting the firearm through this State if that person is transporting the firearm in a manner permitted by federal law, 18 U.S.C.A. 926A.

This federal law permitting interstate transportation of a firearm applies only if all of the following requirements are met:
The person's possession of the firearm was lawful in the state in which the journey began;
The person's possession of the firearm will be lawful in the state in which the journey will end;
The person is transporting the firearm for lawful purpose
The firearm is unloaded
The firearm is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
The ammunition is not directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle

If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console;
The person is not
a convicted felon
a fugitive from justice an addict or unlawful user of drugs, or
an illegal alien

The person has not
been adjudicated to be a mental defective
been committed to a mental institution
been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces, or
renounced his United States Citizenship

A person who is transporting a firearm though the State of New Jersey in the manner permitted by person's possession 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, see Section II above, need not give notice.

Procedures for Investigation of Conduct Involving the Possession or Transportation of Firearms
An officer who reasonably suspects that a person is transporting a firearm in violation of New Jersey law should make reasonable inquiries in order to confirm or dispel that suspicion.

In a case where circumstances reasonably indicate that the person's possession and transportation of the firearms my be permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, the officer should make reasonable inquiries in order to determine whether the person's possession is permitted by that federal law.

If reasonable inquiries lead an officer to conclude that the person's possession is lawful under either New Jersey law or 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, the officer should promptly allow the person to proceed.

Whenever an officer has probable cause to believe that a person's possession of a firearm is in violation of New Jersey law and not permitted by 18 U.S.C.A. 926A, as described above in Section II, then the officer should make an arrest.

Bwana gave you good advice. The only thing I'd ad is to print out the rules from the link he provided and carry them with you.

Are you flying out of Newark?

Thanks for the info. I will copy and save.
Yes, in and out of Newark on the way over and also on my return. About June 22 out, about July 15 return.
Cal

Just remember a vet claimed the exceptions above and was successfully prosecuted.

I respectfully would stay away.

You are not transporting thru NJ to another state where possession is legal. Buyer Beware.

no way would i take a fine double through new jousey there is a guy there that might just exchange it for a blaser

I even try to avoid Newark when I am not traveling with firearms :-)

I would strongly advise avoiding NJ. It is impossible to imagine the potential problems that you might encounter.

I never had a problem traveling with with firearms in NJ but only had one flight with firarms out of newark. Ask Biebs or call Griffin and Howe both from NJ.

I lived in NJ for a few years and never had any problems with my firearms. Then, after I moved to Florida I drove up to NYC. Driving in NJ on the turnpike (with Florida plates) I was stopped by the Highway Patrol for no apparent reason, and, after the routine driver's license check he asked "Are there any firearms in the car?"
Peter

Not a problem. I've probably made 25-30 departures/arrivals with firearms out of Newark or JFK without issue.

Biebs - When flying out of Newark do the Port Authority police handle the firearms check in like they do at JFK?

Thanks for the thoughts.
Steve at TWG sends folks trough NJ often. As I will be in transit and won't see my guns until I arrive in Jo'burg, he assured me all will be fine.

quote:

Biebs - When flying out of Newark do the Port Authority police handle the firearms check in like they do at JFK?

Tom Z

Tom, at JFK, the TSA (or police) inspected the guns right there on the floor of the check-in area. At Newark, you tell the ticket agent you have firearms, they have you sign the "not loaded" form, then TSA comes and takes you to a room to do the inspection.

Might have changed a bit, as I haven't traveled with firearms since Covid hit.

That has been my experience at JFK as well. I sure got some strange looks from other travelers when opening my gun case on the floor at the check in area with two police officers standing by.

Biebs lives in New Jersey and has all the permits to possess firearms.

quote:

Biebs lives in New Jersey and has ALL the permits to possess firearms.

I was first in line :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Scott Powell:
I even try to avoid Newark when I am not traveling with firearms :-)

Exactly! G-d awful airport!

seems it will be easier to transfer from canada than using newark lol ...

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

Biebs lives in New Jersey and has ALL the permits to possess firearms.

I was first in line :-)

The fearful part is not passing thru the airport. The fearful part is if you get stuck in NJ with guns.

We have seen the prosecutions were the cited exemptions are affirmative defenses which must be allowed to be led by a Judge and found by a jury.

I vote go another way.

quote:

The fearful part is if you get stuck in NJ with guns.

Yes, you don't want to get caught carrying a handgun. Most firearms issues are folks from out of state carrying or having a handgun in possession in their car, perhaps unaware of the laws here. Long guns are not an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Biebs lives in New Jersey and has all the permits to possess firearms.

Nobody LIVES in New Jersey-----they just barely manage to exist !!!

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:
Biebs lives in New Jersey and has all the permits to possess firearms.

Nobody LIVES in New Jersey-----they just barely manage to exist !!!

Hip

Biebs is quite the man. He posted elsewhere on AR at 69 years of age he cut, split, and stacked 15 cords of wood. I do the same every year here in Alaska. I was surprised Biebs uses that much wood in the tropics of NJ.
cal

Cal - what did you decide to do re: your plane reservations. I'm interested since I might want to use that flight at sometime in the future.

If you do fly out of Newark please let us know if there are any issues with the firearms..

I have transported Guns through Newark airport many times Biebs is correct handguns AR Rifles and any magazine over 10 rounds are an issue since they are illegal or restricted in NJ and possession outside the airport is the issue. Any standard sporting rifle or shotgun will be no issue there are no permits required to own or possess in the state. Cal I would be nervous transporting a 4bore I know there is a pending law to ban any gun 50cal and bump into the wrong cop or airline employee could be an issue (could be an issue in any state or airport). I moved out of New Jersey 3 years ago to Florida and feel like I escaped to freedom the governor and politicians pass stupid gun laws and just tax us endlessly.
Chris