US DOJ LETTER OF INTENT RE "SINGLE TRIP" AIR TRAVEL WITH FIREARMS
Persons traveling with firearms via air carrier -- and especially those making such travel including any points within New York, New Jersey, or Massachusetts -- are advised to understand the meaning of a single trip within the intent of federal law.
Federal law bearing on this matter is within the purview of the US Department of Justice, which was recently asked to confirm the legal intent of the law. That response (see text of that letter below) clearly states that a single trip is from one's place of origin to one's destination: i.e., from site of travel origin, to airport, to destination of sequential air travel.
In other words, when the firearm (ammunition/accessories) are secured in luggage according to TSA regulations (see TSA Advisory elsewhere on the CANY website) those state authorities interrupting air travel with a firearm are acting in an extra-legal manner and perhaps officiously.
1. Read, print, and carry on your person both the TSA Advisory and the DOJ letter provided on this website.
2. If you have advance questions, telephone the TSA per the number given within the TSA Advisory.
3. Before you book your flight/s learn the airline regulations regarding carriage of firearms (some airlines will not carry firearms): if you fail to know the regulations before arriving at the airport a) your guns maybe left behind or b) your trip may be abruptly cancelled -- by you.
4. If authorities interrupt your travel owing to a question about your firearms, show them the letters and a) ask them to telephone TSA, orb) ask them to permit you to telephone TSA authorities (Jerry Henderson and/or Chuck Polk).
5. Notice: in NY, NJ, and MA, this procedure may not conclude with a satisfactory result and a) your firearms may be confiscated, b) you may be arrested, in which case you should retain an attorney knowledgeable in firearms law both in the state where these unhappy events occur and under US law: you may identify such proper legal help by being in contact with NRA-Institute for Legislative Action.
6. Once you have taken the previous (#5) minimal steps, be in touch with both the rifle and pistol association in your state and a major conservationist organization in your state: your unhappy incident may result in local help and will help in spreading word to others in that state who engage air travel by air.
7. If you are able to do so responsibly and effectively, and if your attorney concurs, make your story known to the widest spread of media and press outlets available: this is the one occasion when, as a responsible gunowner, you may find the media and press on your side.