Flying out of DC through Jersey with a suppressor

[Trappernewt]

Lots of good info here. I guess I will just fly with the rifles only. Basically, the only choice that I have that safe in this scenario. I used Travel Express as the agent but, in their defense, I did not say I was flying with a suppressor only rifles.

 

[Trappernewt]

I really really wish I did not choose to fly through Jersey. Its caused quite the hassle for me.

 

[BigGame]

I really really wish I did not choose to fly through Jersey. Its caused quite the hassle for me.

I'll bite... what happened?

 

[Trappernewt]

I'll bite... what happened?

Nothing happened yet. First off I was planning to take a suppressor.....no dice. Now come to find out I shouldn't take either rifle because they are threaded. So now I have a useless 4457 form 17 days before i leave. If I were any travel agency theres no way I would ever even suggest a customer fly through Jersey.

 

[375Fox]

Nothing happened yet. First off I was planning to take a suppressor.....no dice. Now come to find out I shouldn't take either rifle because they are threaded. So now I have a useless 4457 form 17 days before i leave. If I were any travel agency theres no way I would ever even suggest a customer fly through Jersey.

Has anyone ever actually verified a threaded barrel is actually illegal in New Jersey? It could well be but a lot of unverified information does get repeated here as fact when it isn’t.

 

[JimP]

Nothing happened yet. First off I was planning to take a suppressor.....no dice. Now come to find out I shouldn't take either rifle because they are threaded. So now I have a useless 4457 form 17 days before i leave. If I were any travel agency theres no way I would ever even suggest a customer fly through Jersey.

Don't you have a protective cap for the end of the barrel?

My Weatherby has a muzzle brake that I just remove and install the cap.

 

[BigGame]

Bolt actions can have a threaded barrel, semi auto cannot, in the peoples replublic of New Jerseystan

 

[CamoManJ]

I traveled through evil EWR with no problems with a threaded bolt gun. However, as a precaution, I did put a thread cap on it & wrapped it in camo barrel wrap, just in case. The inspectors didn’t seem to give a rats tail, they checked serial number, stamped my paperwork & “next!” Took a few seconds. I decided to leave behind my suppressor, travel without any concern & luckily my PH had an awesome suppressor in camp that a gracious AH member left behind for others to use.

BTW…next time I go on safari, if the PH or camp does not have a suppressor, I plan to buy one and leave it behind for AH members as well. I’ll carve “AH only” on the suppressor.
…AfricaHunting, not for dirty minded jerks! lol

 

[375Fox]

Has anyone ever actually verified a threaded barrel is actually illegal in New Jersey? It could well be but a lot of unverified information does get repeated here as fact when it isn’t.

I’m assuming I won’t get an answer. One phone call to a gun shop in New Jersey would give a final answer.

 

[375Fox]

I traveled through evil EWR with no problems with a threaded bolt gun. However, as a precaution, I did put a thread cap on it & wrapped it in camo barrel wrap, just in case. The inspectors didn’t seem to give a rats tail, they checked serial number, stamped my paperwork & “next!” Took a few seconds. I decided to leave behind my suppressor, travel without any concern & luckily my PH had an awesome suppressor in camp that a gracious AH member left behind for others to use.

BTW…next time I go on safari, if the PH or camp does not have a suppressor, I plan to buy one and leave it behind for AH members as well. I’ll carve “AH only” on the suppressor.
…AfricaHunting, not for dirty minded jerks! lol

Customs and TSA won’t care. They are there to enforce federal laws not state laws. Issue would only potentially come about if you had to leave airport. I had a 24 hour delay returning through Boston earlier this year. I had to collect bag and gun and leave airport. That’s where issues could arise.

 

[JimP]

Doing some quick reading you'll be fine with a threaded barrel on a bolt action rifle in Jersey. What I read the threaded barrel probation is for semi automatic rifles.

 

[Trappernewt]

I’m assuming I won’t get an answer. One phone call to a gun shop in New Jersey would give a final answer.

I called the NJ State Police an hour ago. The first call the person was not helpful at all. The second call I was transferred to a different person and waited on hold for 15 minutes or so. I asked specific questions about suppressor and threaded rifles and traveling through NJ on exit and entry. His answer was " I cannot comment on legality inside of an airport during international travel. If you do not physically posses the restricted item outside of the airport I find it highly unlikely you would have any issue at all as you would be protected under NFA Law allowing travel through restricted states. "

I then asked what about having my flight delayed or taking possession to go back through customs upon reentry into the US. His answer " That is a grey area. I definitely would not leave the airport with it. However if you are up front with CBP and TSA it is highly unlikely you would have any problems if you have all the necessary paperwork."

I asked about threaded rifles His reply " The only threaded barrel firearms that are illegal to possess in NJ are semi-auto rifles or pistols. "

The guy was nice and polite the entire time. He said a couple different times that he found it unlikely that anything bad would happen if you were clear and up front. He did say he was familiar with a particular case where someone attempted to take a suppressor as a carry on and that was a bit of a problem even though the person had proper paperwork.

Take this for what you want but these are the answers he gave.

 

[375Fox]

I called the NJ State Police an hour ago. The first call the person was not helpful at all. The second call I was transferred to a different person and waited on hold for 15 minutes or so. I asked specific questions about suppressor and threaded rifles and traveling through NJ on exit and entry. His answer was " I cannot comment on legality inside of an airport during international travel. If you do not physically posses the restricted item outside of the airport I find it highly unlikely you would have any issue at all as you would be protected under NFA Law allowing travel through restricted states. "

I then asked what about having my flight delayed or taking possession to go back through customs upon reentry into the US. His answer " That is a grey area. I definitely would not leave the airport with it. However if you are up front with CBP and TSA it is highly unlikely you would have any problems if you have all the necessary paperwork."

I asked about threaded rifles His reply " The only threaded barrel firearms that are illegal to possess in NJ are semi-auto rifles or pistols. "

The guy was nice and polite the entire time. He said a couple different times that he found it unlikely that anything bad would happen if you were clear and up front. He did say he was familiar with a particular case where someone attempted to take a suppressor as a carry on and that was a bit of a problem even though the person had proper paperwork.

Take this for what you want but these are the answers he gave.

Sounds like you are good to take your rifles then. Your outfitter could easily arrange a suppressor for you to use there. I’d suspect you are one of the few to actually call. I do get tired of statements getting repeated as fact causing panic when there are easy ways to verify the information. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[CamoManJ]

Customs and TSA won’t care. They are there to enforce federal laws not state laws. Issue would only potentially come about if you had to leave airport. I had a 24 hour delay returning through Boston earlier this year. I had to collect bag and gun and leave airport. That’s where issues could arise.

In that case, walk way, leave gun behind…that’s what I’d do…
I’d bet that the unclaimed baggage would cycle around, remain within the baggage system, returned to the airline & held until claimed.
No gun, to me, is worth becoming a criminal for, laws be damned.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

when I went thru there in 2023 I was told by Port Police and New Jersey Police along with Customs and TSA(TSA and Customs do not care) and NJ Police said the same. so I went thru with no issues and it was never even looked at in the gun case. but if I ever go thru again if my flight was changed I would not leave the airport or take possession because when you leave the airport you are now dealing with NJ state law not Federal

 

[HankBuck]

Has anyone ever actually verified a threaded barrel is actually illegal in New Jersey? It could well be but a lot of unverified information does get repeated here as fact when it isn’t.

@375Fox - I can verify it (lived there) but a call into the NJ State Police or any FFL will also reveal that a “threaded barrel” is illegal in NJ…UNLESS the threads are covered by some type of muzzle brake or flash suppressor “permanently” attached to the barrel either pinned or welded on — it can NOT be removable.
When I visit relatives & friends in NJ to hunt or go shooting I NEVER take any rifle with threaded barrel or magazine over 10 rounds etc.. It is NOT worth the risk regardless of how Unlikely having a problem would be (at least that’s how I think about it).

 

[jpr9954]

Not to derail this discussion about flying through NJ or DC with a suppressor but I have read elsewhere, rightly or wrongly, that suppressors are covered under ITAR and you need a temporary export permit to take one out of the country.

https://www.ice.gov/investigations/astp/faq

Is this true or not?

 

[Trappernewt]

Not to derail this discussion about flying through NJ or DC with a suppressor but I have read elsewhere, rightly or wrongly, that suppressors are covered under ITAR and you need a temporary export permit to take one out of the country.

https://www.ice.gov/investigations/astp/faq

Is this true or not?

That is 100% correct. You need to submit a NFA 5320.20.

 

[Trappernewt]

when I went thru there in 2023 I was told by Port Police and New Jersey Police along with Customs and TSA(TSA and Customs do not care) and NJ Police said the same. so I went thru with no issues and it was never even looked at in the gun case. but if I ever go thru again if my flight was changed I would not leave the airport or take possession because when you leave the airport you are now dealing with NJ state law not Federal

With a suppressor or threaded barrel?

 

[Hyde Hunter]

With a suppressor or threaded barrel?

with a suppressor and there were a bunch ahead of me also