Two handguns, ready to fly. Note empty magazines and chamber locks on both handguns.
HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL
(PART ONE)
Seven things to consider before you transport your firearms on commercial airlines. STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA
A
s a cop, I’m always amazed and frustrated by how complex firearms laws are. Most laws are relatively simple. For example, to commit the act of robbery, you need to permanently deprive (i.e. steal) something from someone using force or fear. It’s essentially A+B=C. In contrast, firearms laws, at the local and state level, are never this easy. Barrel lengths, magazine capacities and concealed carry regulations are mind-numbingly
complicated. This is primarily due to the fact that people who don’t have any idea what end the round comes out of – namely politicians – draft and codify these laws. One area that deserves attention is transporting firearms from one place to another. What is legal in one state can be illegal in another. I live in “Commiefornia,” which is bordered by the gun-friendly state of Nevada. A person can become an instant felon by driving west through Tahoe (a city with parts in both California and
Nevada) if they are stopped by California law enforcement and have a “prohibited weapon” in their possession. It was cool to have in Nevada, just not west of there. In this article, I’m going to focus on flying with firearms; next month, I’ll talk about shipping them.
KNOW THE AIRLINE. First, research the carrier’s policies. Surprisingly, each one is different. For example, some airlines let you pack ammo and firearms together in the same box, while others require they be shipped americanshootingjournal.com 37
