Hypothetical legality question involving interstate transport

[CoyoteJack]

As I understand, it is generally illegal to transport a firearm into NY or NJ with the exception of lawful transport through them if going to another state where possession is legal.

My question is at what point does a firearm no longer qualify as a firearm? Suppose your traveling near the NY or NJ line and must enter the other State, and taking your firearm home first isn't an option. What if you rendered it inert? Perhaps by removing the firing pin from a 1911 and leaving it behind? Is it legally a firearm anymore? If so how many necessary parts would have to be missing?

It would seem to me that leaving a firing pin (a damn important part) in PA and taking the more valuable parts with you would negate actually breaking the law? You could even leave the firing pin in an inconspicuous place in PA and retrieve it later when you returned.

Thoughts?

[General Geoff]

If it's got a serial number on it (i.e. frame of a pistol or receiver of a rifle/lower reciever on an AR), it's a firearm. Doesn't matter if it's disassembled or not.

[GoldWinger]

I'm not sure how New York views it but ATF considers the receiver the gun. So if you have the part with the serial number, you have the gun.

[CoyoteJack]

Well it isn't the ATF though that would be pressing charges but I see the point.

Thankfully there is nothing that could ever put in the position of having to enter either of those States.

[fingers80002]

Well it isn't the ATF though that would be pressing charges but I see the point.

Thankfully there is nothing that could ever put in the position of having to enter either of those States.

No, the local gestapo would be pressing state charges.

[CoyoteJack]

No, the local gestapo would be pressing state charges.

So is there something different in the design of the grip frame of a blank gun or non firing but other wise functional 1911 and the grip frame of a real one?

The grip frame is the ATF controlled part of this and other semiauto pistols yes?

[lildobe]

The grip frame is the ATF controlled part of this and other semiauto pistols yes?

Not always.

On my Keltec P-11, the receiver fits into the frame. They are separate parts.

On a Glock, the Frame *is* the receiver. I believe the same applies to 1911's as well, but I'm not 100% sure (I've never taken one apart, so I couldn't tell you.)

[CoyoteJack]

Not always.

On my Keltec P-11, the receiver fits into the frame. They are separate parts.

On a Glock, the Frame *is* the receiver. I believe the same applies to 1911's as well, but I'm not 100% sure (I've never taken one apart, so I couldn't tell you.)

For 1911's you can buy any part other than the grip frame without an FFL.

New York is losing well over $1k a year in taxable revenue from me alone due to their inane firearm laws. I'd rather drive 3 times as far to ski each week by Pittsburgh than go to the much closer NY resort near me.

[GoldWinger]

The grip frame is the ATF controlled part of this and other semiauto pistols yes?

Most but not all. A notable exception is the Ruger Mark I and it's descendents.

[wa3ra]

To completely ruin your day; a blank gun is considered a firearm except in very limited circumstances in NJ, as as a CO2 gun.