Flying from PA to California then Driving back to PA

[TheQuietMan]

My wife and I are flying out to Oakland,CA in a few weeks to buy a classic muscle car, then drive it back home across the country. I was hoping to get some info and advice about carrying a firearm during this trip.

Thanks in advance for the info.

[Sniper061]

I've carried cross-country a few times before and here is what you need to do:


First, for the plane trip, make sure that you take the pistol to the airport in its case. Preferably the hardcase the pistol came in otherwise it *MUST* be some other hardcase. Make sure that you take a masterlock with you and lock the case up after checking it at the check-in counter (they may ask to see the pistol to make sure it is unloaded). You are allowed to store your ammo in the same case as the pistol as long as the pistol is unloaded. DO NOT pull the pistol or ammo out of its case or even open the case unless asked to do so.

You can put both of these into your checked baggage but do so at the counter *after* you show them to the check-in lady. She'll need to put a few stickers on the cases so you can tell if they were tampered with after you land and to identify that the case contains a firearm.

Here is the TSA page with the info you need:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1666.shtm


The drive back from California will be pretty straight forward. You know what states you will be travelling through on your way back so take the time to make a small list of their laws. For a general overview, you can check the reciprocity page on this website and then after that hit the individual state websites to get specifics such as where you can carry and how (open carry/concealed carry, carry in vehicle, duty to inform, etc). Any of the states that have specific laws like those mentioned above, write them down on a list you can keep with you.

Make sure you are legal BEFORE entering a state. Pulling into the first exit after entering a state and then getting approached by a trooper for carrying in a state you aren't allowed to will not make your trip a pleasant one. For those states you aren't allowed to carry in, LOCK the *UNLOADED* pistol AND the ammo in their cases into the trunk of the car, just like when you checked them at the airport. Then you will be protected by federal law to transport the firearm through the state. While the federal law only provides that they be inaccessible, I've heard some stories of states trying to nail people for firearms in unlocked containers even when they are locked in a trunk. Better safe than sorry.

Finally, its a good idea to keep a copy of 18 USC Chapter 44 Section 926A (Interstate transportation of firearms) with you. You can get a copy here:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-...44-sec926A.pdf


*EDIT*

I did a bit of research into California gun laws for you to make sure you would be covered by the origin/destination of the Federal Law. You are allowed to have a pistol there even if only temporarily as long as it is locked up. Here you go:

California Penal Code section 12026 does not prevent a citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who is not lawfully prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, from transporting by motor vehicle any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container.

There are specific instances as expected on when you can transport. Basically though, when you get to California, drive *straight* to the hotel and lock it in the in-room safe (since you have to leave it in the hotel, better safe than sorry). Leave it there until you are ready to leave the state and then drive straight to the state line and you'll be fine. California also requires that the ammunition be stored separately when traveling so invest in a small lock-box for your magazines as well.

Full law is here:

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12020.php

[DGR959]

OK i know this was a firearm transportation question .. but as a gear head i have to ask what are you brining home ???

[98valkyrie]

OK i know this was a firearm transportation question .. but as a gear head i have to ask what are you brining home ???

Yes, do tell..........

[chiefdjs]

Review the individual airline's baggage policy as it can be more restrictive than the TSA rules. For example, I just flew on Air Tran to New Orleans several weeks ago. They require the ammunition to be packed separately from the firearm.

I usually have a small hardsided gun case that is wired into a plain soft sided black duffle. My handgun case has a combination lock, then I place a good quality TSA lock on the duffle so that only TSA can open the duffle if needed. I remember one airline that would not allow me to carry the handgun that way and I needed to have a separate locked case for the handgun ( It was either United or Continental who merged but one still had a more restrictive policy).

I find the best airlines to fly have been US Air, Southwest, and Delta (Air Tran is now part of Southwest and was good to fly as long as the ammo was in a separate container). I usually just go to check in, declare an "unloaded handgun", open the case to show the handgun (being wired in I can pull the hard case out of the duffle on the cable), sign the declaration which is placed on top of the handgun inside the locked case, lock and put the hard case back in the duffle and lock the soft side bag with a TSA lock, and wait a few minutes to make sure it clears the TSA station where a check is made for explosives.

I have flown with a handgun over twenty flights over the past three years and never had an issue with any airline employees or TSA. As long as you follow the airline's rules it should only take you an extra minute or two to check in.

Safe travels !!!!

[SnowKitty]

what's the point of bringing it with you if you can't carry it and have to keep it locked up at all times? i used to live in the people's socialist republic of commiefornia, don't really miss it aside from my family and in-n-out burgers haha.

[renalp]

what's the point of bringing it with you if you can't carry it and have to keep it locked up at all times?

PA has reciprocity in many of the states he'll be passing through.

[SnowKitty]

PA has reciprocity in many of the states he'll be passing through.

ahh, guess i missed that part. iirc, you used to at least be able to open carry an unloaded firearm in california though i think they banned that recently.

[customloaded]

what's the point of bringing it with you if you can't carry it and have to keep it locked up at all times? i used to live in the people's socialist republic of commiefornia, don't really miss it aside from my family and in-n-out burgers haha.

I'll stop in Tucson this weekend and eat a combo #1 animal style just for you with a vanilla shake!

ahh, guess i missed that part. iirc, you used to at least be able to open carry an unloaded firearm in california though i think they banned that recently.

He is driving back from Cali (oakland) to PA. He may carry in many states on his way home.

OP, a PA LTCF is not valid in Nevada. However, Open Carry in Nevada is legal and is legal in a car without a permit.

I don't know what route you plan on taking from Cali to PA but I'm gonna take a guess and say Interstate 80.

Checkout handgun law website.

Wyoming is and OC State and recognizes PA LTCF. However, I don't think Nebraska or Iowa does, IL is a no-carry, and then of course, Ohio. See, might just as well get your FLorida license asap.

Make sure the pistol you take does not have a magazine capacity over 10 rounds, they are illegal to possess in Cali and I don't know if federal transportion law would cover you or not. Being locked up for a week, posting bail, and fighting a charge from across the country is not cool.

Best of luck,

CL

PS. Any questions about roads or towns to see/stop in etc...just ask.

[PHLJJS]

PA has reciprocity in many of the states he'll be passing through.

Very true, but if he's spending any significant amount of time in California, say a day or two, I don't think FOPA will cover him, but I may be wrong. Without a CA gun permit, it may not be legal for him to have a gun in his possession. Even if it is unloaded and in his luggage or the trunk of the car.