I am a Georgia resident with family in CT. Traveling to HPN, LGA, EWR and JFK is often far less expensive than BDL or HVN. As a result, when I travel to visit family, I'm often traveling via a NY airport.
A few years back, I went to see my cousin's wedding in New York, staying with family in Connecticut. I flew into HPN (White Plains). No problems on the way in, and no laws against the law-abiding (even those from other states) possessing a firearm in a locked case in CT. I went to the wedding in NY, leaving the firearm at my family's home, then showed my M1911A1 to a friend while there in CT.
On my return trip, I declared my firearm to the TSA Agent. The TSA Agent notified a LEO at the airport, who came over to question me.
Now a little about my background: I was a Ground Security Coordinator for an airline a few years back. I am intimately familiar with the laws regarding TSA responsibilities and the transportation of firearms by air. The TSA, at the time, was not permitted to call a LEO when a firearm was being legally transported (that is, unloaded in a locked case in checked luggage). Nor was the TSA permitted to assist local law enforcement with the enforcement of local laws, but rather only Federal laws. In other words, the TSA Agent that started all of this broke the law.
So anyway, the LEO arrives to question me, asks for identification. I know NY is very skittish about guns, so I don't question anything, I simply comply. I informed the LEO that the firearm was mine, I had just arrived from CT and was returning to GA. The LEO asked me for my NY firearms permit. I told him I was a GA resident and didn't have one (NY law would not permit me to obtain one, anyway, as you must be a resident of the State of New York to obtain an NY permit).
A few more minutes of questioning, and I was escorted to a room where four LEOs inspected the firearm and the questioning officer asked more questions. A few minutes more, and I was informed that I was being arrested for having a firearm without a permit in the State of New York. Embarrassing as this was, at that exact moment my cell phone rang. It was my father, who had just dropped me off and was shocked to find out I was being arrested. Dad never did much with me and firearms; he allowed the Boy Scouts and Civil Air Patrol to introduce my brother and I, but he'll be damned if anyone is going to take his 1911, his two rifles or his double-damascus.
I was placed in handcuffs and driven to a nearby county police station. The officer was genuinely and profusely sorry. He kept stating he didn't want to arrest me and believed every law-abiding citizen should be allowed to have a firearm, but that his senior officer had informed him that I should be arrested (it was the first month of the arresting officer's tour at the airport). I was placed in the search cell, where they put you to search you when you arrive, but wasn't searched. I waited there three hours until the Captain of the precinct came in to inform me that I was being officially "unarrested" (whatever that means), and that I would be permitted to continue my travels, even take my gun with me. Apparently, the DA in the county at the time was dealing with an Army Colonel who had been given the same treatment, and it was giving the County a PR "black eye."
I found out later that, having missed my flight, the County had purchased me another ticket (I found this out when I got my AAdvantage statement and had received frequent flier miles for my return trip--my original flight was an AAdvantage reward ticket!). I was released to my father, who drove me back to the airport. Before leaving, the Captain informed me that the next time I travel in NY, don't bring my gun.
Since then, I've simply chosen not to travel in NY. I know my rights, and I'll defend myself in court if I have to, but I'd rather not give the socialist myrmidons in that state one red cent if they're going to violate both the US and NY State Constitutions...