Firearms and flying

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Glocktogo

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A case in mind was a gentleman that was legally possessing a pistol on an aircraft that got diverted to NYC.
Being an honest gun owner he declared the firearm when changing flights. He was arrested, jailed and if I remember right had one of the gun rights insurance policies that helped him, and there was a court fight. I think the NRA got involved as well.
Spit balling here on the incident from memory.

My advice here is to NEVER accept your checked bag with a firearm in it, should you get diverted or have an unexpected layover in a ban location. Even if it comes off on the baggage carousel on the public side, the airline is required to collect all unclaimed bags and take them to their baggage service office or ticket counter to secure for the passenger. You can stand there and watch it go around until they pick it up. Once they have it, you can go to their office and ensure they put it back on whatever plane you depart on at a later time or date. They must securely retain it until then.

They cannot force you to accept it other than at the final destination on your itinerary. Even then, you can request they "Hot Shot" it to an address or location of your choosing which is away from the airport (some additional fees may apply). Don't ask for anything out of the bag. Whatever toiletries or change of clothes you might need are cheaper to buy than getting caught in an anti-gun honey trap. By following these measures, you never have to re-declare the firearm and by not physically taking possession of it, you can't be charged.

Even if an airport LEO is standing there ordering you to take your bag, this is the one case where I would refuse such an order. Don't do or say anything except refuse to take the bag and assert your 5th Amendment rights to remain silent. Don't admit or deny the bag is yours, even if they have your ID in hand and match it to the bag tag. Don't admit or deny the bag contains a firearm. Don't answer their questions even when they try to bluff you with "obstructing an investigation". They can't force you to commit a crime or surrender your constitutional rights.

Simply put, the gun in the bag isn't worth the hell they're trying to put you through.

 

dennishoddy

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My advice here is to NEVER accept your checked bag with a firearm in it, should you get diverted or have an unexpected layover in a ban location. Even if it comes off on the baggage carousel on the public side, the airline is required to collect all unclaimed bags and take them to their baggage service office or ticket counter to secure for the passenger. You can stand there and watch it go around until they pick it up. Once they have it, you can go to their office and ensure they put it back on whatever plane you depart on at a later time or date. They must securely retain it until then.

They cannot force you to accept it other than at the final destination on your itinerary. Even then, you can request they "Hot Shot" it to an address or location of your choosing which is away from the airport (some additional fees may apply). Don't ask for anything out of the bag. Whatever toiletries or change of clothes you might need are cheaper to buy than getting caught in an anti-gun honey trap. By following these measures, you never have to re-declare the firearm and by not physically taking possession of it, you can't be charged.

Even if an airport LEO is standing there ordering you to take your bag, this is the one case where I would refuse such an order. Don't do or say anything except refuse to take the bag and assert your 5th Amendment rights to remain silent. Don't admit or deny the bag is yours, even if they have your ID in hand and match it to the bag tag. Don't admit or deny the bag contains a firearm. Don't answer their questions even when they try to bluff you with "obstructing an investigation". They can't force you to commit a crime or surrender your constitutional rights.

Simply put, the gun in the bag isn't worth the hell they're trying to put you through.



Great advice. In this day and time that may be the only thing keeping one from a jail cell in some of the hellhole cities.
 

Tanis143

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This is why I booked a non-stop flight to Vegas. Between here and Vegas there are no states that restrict the mags my firearm carries so I'm safe there. And all the states between here and there are open carry w/o a license state, so I'll just take my OWB holster as well as my IWB. I'll make sure to put the mags in some mag pouches and that way I won't have to worry about loose ammo (I'll just have to have 30 rounds instead of 31).

Thanks for the advice folks!
 

Tanis143

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Don't play the airport slots. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning, twice.

I've actually had pretty good luck with the airport slots, probably up a bit instead of down. I've played them quite a bit though. The most I've lost at one time was $20, that's all I spend when I gamble.
 

druryj

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@Tanis143; you're a solid member, so I'm gonna help you out here. Your going to Vegas and I imagine you wanna gamble a little bit while you're there. Sure; I get it; we all get it. Well, with all the craziness going on, and the obvious hassles of flying with a firearm, just stay home. Why risk the Cocoa Virus or 10 years in jail over whether your mags are loaded or not? What if you happen to have the wrong color non-TSA/Airline approved lock on the case or something? Dirty gun? Add a couple years to your sentence.

So just hire some hot young chick to bring you drinks while you play online solitaire on your phone, and...I'll gamble with you! We'll have a great time!

Let's bet a $100 to start: All you gotta do is guess a number between 1 and 10; if you're right, I'll pay you $1,000! But if you're wrong, I get the $100 dollar bet. Ready?
Go! Guess the number! (Send me a PM with your pick).

Why don't you drop by and leave say...$2,000 (more if you want) in escrow at my place, so we can keep the game going and have a lot of fun!

I know, it's a real burden on me, but I'm always glad to be able to help a good member out, old buddy.
 

thor447

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I've actually had pretty good luck with the airport slots, probably up a bit instead of down. I've played them quite a bit though. The most I've lost at one time was $20, that's all I spend when I gamble.
Oh goodness, what I could tell you about airport slots!
 

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