Flying out of DC through Jersey with a suppressor.

[Trappernewt]

Hello Everyone,

As I continue to prepare for my trip to SA in April I have ran into a bit of a problem. Suppressors are illegal to possess in DC and New Jersey which is where I am flying from/through. Research has given me a ton of varying answers as to the legality of flying out of or through a state with a suppressor where they are illegal to possess. So I guess the question is if its worth the risk or not and has anyone here actually flown out of Reagan with one?

 

[ThreeJacks]

DCA (Reagan) and IAD (Dulles) are in Virginia, does that matter?.

 

[CRCO]

Hello Everyone,

As I continue to prepare for my trip to SA in April I have ran into a bit of a problem. Suppressors are illegal to possess in DC and New Jersey which is where I am flying from/through. Research has given me a ton of varying answers as to the legality of flying out of or through a state with a suppressor where they are illegal to possess. So I guess the question is if its worth the risk or not and has anyone here actually flown out of Reagan with one?

I flew from Denver to New Jersey to Johannesburg and back with suppressors attached to my rifles. No issues.

 

[Trappernewt]

DCA (Reagan) and IAD (Dulles) are in Virginia, does that matter?.

I thought that DCA was in DC limits where suppressors are illegal to possess?

 

[ThreeJacks]

Although Arlington has become almost as liberal as DC, it is in Virginia.

 

[BigGame]

I'm not offering legal advice but don't under any circumstances check out your luggage while in NJ. Not sure what kind of issue this would create for you. I'm certain it won't be good for you.

 

[JimP]

From what I have read as long as you are in transit and your rifle with the suppressor is checked through to your destination in South Africa you are fine going through states with those regulations.

But you do not want to take possession of your rifle and suppressor in those states/airports. That's when the problems start.

Are you using a travel agent that is familiar with the rules and regulations? If not I will suggest that you do.

 

[Rimbaud]

I live in the Tri-State area. I have not been brave enough to fly out of NY, NJ airports with rifles, much less suppressors. I have a NYC Rifle, Shotgun permit, and a NYS CC license. I was told to call Port Authority police, which have airport jurisdiction, to get best advice on how to handle arriving at airports with my rifle. I once flew into Westchester airport, outside of NYC, with a shotgun, and got hassled and delayed some 35 minutes by some idiot who barely knew her name, even though I was 100% legal as I was not in NYC. I've read in local papers stories of traveling hunters who are arrested at NYC airports because the airline accidentally puts firearms on regular luggage carousel, rather than transferring said weapons to the connecting flight, and the traveling hunter grabs weapon case. In such instances, I've been told that you don't touch the weapon case and go get a cop. Biggest issue with all of this is that some of the cops know what they are doing, and others make morons seem like Einsteins. Be careful.

 

[Denvir Tire]

I'm also not a lawyer...
I would not be speeding on the way to the airport, don't take any chances with a traffic stop involving guns and suppressors in the NY/NJ/CT area.
At Newark International Airport , just walk right into the terminal with your luggage and guncase. You belong there, and your airline knows you're traveling with firearms.
I've always put my binos, suppressor, thermal sight and optics in the gun case.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

flying into Newark with a suppressor is no problem as long as you DO NOT TAKE POSSISION of your gun case with the suppressor in it . as towards walking into the airport in a state that does not allow suppressors is looking for trouble. find a different airport in a suppressor friendly state.

 

[Dakota Hunter]

Newark is the worst airport in the world !

 

[HankBuck]

I flew from Denver to New Jersey to Johannesburg and back with suppressors attached to my rifles. No issues.

@CRCO - your “Luck” is Not a strategy and because you had “no problems” is lucky. Just having any firearm with a “threaded barrel” is illegal in New Jersey unless that barrel is permanently “pinned” so as Not to be able to screw on/off, having a Suppressor withOUT a firearm is also illegal in New Jersey and the State aggressively prosecutes violations of that law. All it takes is one TSA Agent that actually knows what he’s looking at (rare) and you WILL have a PROBLEM. New Jersey considers prosecuting gun law violators “trophies” and getting convictions helps advance the career of some DA’s. Not worth the risk.

 

[HankBuck]

flying into Newark with a suppressor is no problem as long as you DO NOT TAKE POSSISION of your gun case with the suppressor in it . as towards walking into the airport in a state that does not allow suppressors is looking for trouble. find a different airport in a suppressor friendly state.

@Hyde Hunter - here is how it will be a problem: If your flight in New Jersey is cancelled you will need to take possession of your firearm and eventually have it checked again to get on another flight —-thats when your suppressor can be discovered and you can be prosecuted. It has already happened to passengers who’s flight was “diverted” into Newark and passengers had to reclaim luggage and later board another flight - one passenger with an AR style rifle (which met New Jersey’s “definition” of an Assault Weapon) was arrested - prosecuted - convicted….even though he had no control over his plan landing in Newark (unscheduled stop). Made the News and local papers and other stories like that occur each year. There is a risk - it’s not worth taking the chance…at least Not worth it to me.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

that is why I said do not take possession of your gun case

 

[Gluff]

Hello Everyone,

As I continue to prepare for my trip to SA in April I have ran into a bit of a problem. Suppressors are illegal to possess in DC and New Jersey which is where I am flying from/through. Research has given me a ton of varying answers as to the legality of flying out of or through a state with a suppressor where they are illegal to possess. So I guess the question is if its worth the risk or not and has anyone here actually flown out of Reagan with one?

IMO - I would not take them and just borrow one in SA. Suppressors are extremely common and not expensive in SA.

 

[Gluff]

IMO - I would not take them and just borrow one in SA. Suppressors are extremely common and not expensive in SA.

You could have your PH, with one on the ready for you upon your arrival.