Flying with a gun

[wack8]

I've done a been of searching and haven't found a solid answer, and figured this might be a good place to get some answers. If this is in the wrong section feel free to move this post.

I'm going out to visit a friend in northern California who owns some land and shoots guns on it. I know California has the whole 10 round mag limit and they need the bullet button mag release thing, so I think that if i were to bring 30 round mags and an AR without the bullet button that it would technically be illegal. I'd also like to bring a pistol, probably an xdm which has a 19 round mag which would also be illegal I guess [PoPo]

I'm obviously not going out to cause trouble, these are just the guns that I own and would like to bring them out to shoot with my friend, it'll be on private property, so there is no worry of anybody giving me trouble when I get out there.

My main question is when they check your gun case before putting it on the plane, do they mainly check for just ammo / loaded chamber or do they actually know what kind of guns they are and whether they are legal to go to that particular city? It's been years since I've flown with a gun, and it was just a hunting rifle, so I wasn't concerned about any legality.

Thanks for the help!

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

http://www.orgsites.com/az/certified/_pgg7.php3

Check these out. [Beer]

[wack8]

Ah, thanks much! I'll be flying Southwest, so as far as I can tell, it should be fine. But if anyone has real world experience with a similar situation your advice would be appreciated.

[Flatline]

I flew with frontier from Madison to Denver with a 686. The lady at the frontier counter didn't even look at my gun and just asked if I had it unloaded and if I had any ammo (I didn't, but if you do they want it in manufacturers boxes and I think you can only take 50, but that was frontier). She had me sign the declaration and watched me lock the case.

I then had to take it to the TSA xray but they didn't even look after I told them it was in there. It was cool to see how obvious the gun is on the xray.

They wouldn't likely care on the way to California, but more importantly you would have to get them back. They will probably cause trouble if they see it on your way out and may be looking more closely. Maybe you could mail it back. That being said the safest thing to do is to not knowingly commit a crime and that would be my recommendation.

*I had previously flown out of Madison and had a couple of spent casings in my jacket that I had forgotten about. As soon as we figured what kept setting off the metal detector I volunteered to through them away and told them I hadn't realized they were there. The TSA supervisor then told me about how they can't be used so he didn't care, and almost insisted I keep them for reloading. I would guess this isn't the way TSA acts in California.

[Fromk]

I agree with Flatline on watching out for trouble on the way back. They could just pass it through without looking or they could be real jerks. Hard to say. If you want to split the difference you could just mail the mags back and check the guns. There shouldn't be an issue.

I can give you a short run-down on what to do while you're there as an ex-Californian. While you're transporting them the guns have to be in a locked container and not accessable by the driver. A car trunk is NOT a locked container if it can be opened with a remote or a button inside the car. The ammo can not be touching the gun. A separate pocket or divider will do. It's complicated and makes no sense. To be on the safe side it's best to not have any loaded mags especially if they're over 10 rounds. Don't carry it around on your person off your friend's property. Uh...I think that covers the really basic stuff. It sucks but that's just the way it is. On one hand odds are that nobody will ever know if you're not doing anything else that's illegal but on the other you never know when you'll run into somebody looking to ruin your day.

The big question is do you really want to shoot them bad enough to deal with any of that?

[Great-Kazoo]

http://www.orgsites.com/az/certified/_pgg7.php3

Check these out. [Beer]
How long you been a member here???
Bringing facts and solid information in to any post should get you banned.
Mods, paging the Mods.

Perhaps this question as other INFORMATIVE ones should be made sticky.

Ammo and gun separate locked containers in a vehicle where the state does not recognize CO Reciprocity.

[wack8]

Thanks much, for all the info guys! Yeah, maybe just mail the mags or not bring them at all. I know you can get inserts for the pmags anyways that make them only hold 10 rounds as well, but I'm not sure I'll go through that hassle.

[tonantius]

I recommend that you go to the Calguns Forum and Web site. They are the experts to Californicating and firearms.

[asmo]

I have, on several occasions in California, witnessed the ticket counter lady call over a nearby officer when a firearm is declared. Not anything mandatory but the cop just happened to be near by and the airport was slow.

Happened at SJC and SMF.

But to the heart of the question - No you should not illegally transport firearms, especially in California.

[SideShow Bob]

Thanks much, for all the info guys! Yeah, maybe just mail the mags or not bring them at all. I know you can get inserts for the pmags anyways that make them only hold 10 rounds as well, but I'm not sure I'll go through that hassle.

As far as mailing 30 round mags to California, how good of a friend is on the receiving end ?
Good enough to pay a Hefty fine or do time, or both for you over some magazines ?

[HBARleatherneck]

why bother

[Great-Kazoo]

I have traveled to CA numerous times with non-CA compliant magazines.
UNLESS there is intent to leave, sell or trade them to someone in CA who is not in law enforcement, there is no law being broken.
Also having again taken long guns to CA that are not CA approved, f/hider, no bullet button, merely for my own shooting with friends, family other gun board members, there is no law being broken. I have done the same with guns going to NY.
If you have ANY QUESTIONS regarding what you can or cannot bring with you AND coming home with the same. Contact the CA DOJ.
OR go sign up, if not a member already on ARFCOM. Visit the CA hometown forum and ask them what you can or cannot bring with you.
THEY LIVE THERE and have a better understanding what is verbotten.
This is what i did after 2000 when driving to CA AND bring a few long guns with me.
This only applies to SEMI AUTO, LEVER BOLT OR SINGLE SHOT LONG GUNS & Shot guns.
NOT ANY NFA ITEMS Those, not even a blip on my radar to take them anywhere that NFA items are not permitted.

[Aloha_Shooter]

why are you coming on this forum, asking us if you can get away with breaking the law? thats not what this forum is about.

if it is illegal, dont do it.

+1

I can't speak to California but have been to another 10-round mag state where mere possession of the magazine was illegal. Spacers didn't count either -- the magazine had to be permanently fixed to limit you to 10 rounds. Don't chance a criminal record much less confiscation of your firearms over this.

[BPTactical]

I have never flown with a firearm.
For some reason the thought of flying with an aircraft always seemed better[Muaha]

[burdoglovr]

unfortunately, i have relatives that i have not yet talked out of living in Crapifornia. i have flown back and forth quite a few times, and never had a problem bringing guns back and forth, as i do every time i go. i have never had any hassles checking guns in coming back, even high capacity mags (though i never considered you couldnt own one). they look at you a little funny at the counter, but treat it professionally and escort you to the proper places. as long as you follow the guidelines mentioned above of ammo in original boxes, or locked in separate case from guns, you are good to go. i have flown out of LAX, Palmdale (when it was open), Burbank, John Wayne, Bakersfield.

you need to check and see how the laws are written currently, but my understanding is that you cannot buy mags like that in that state, not that you cant own them. i could be completely wrong, as their laws seem to change every month.