Traveling from chicago to Arizona to LAX to Chicago

[OldLlama32]

I've heard that LAX is not gun friendly. I have my Utah and Arizona permit, so Arizona is ok and I know I can fly out of Chicago with no problems. My issue is with getting into LAX and out. From what I can read, it sounds like I can check my gun and transport it in a locked case unloaded anywhere. Any opinions or things I should look out for here?

 

[araczynski]

i'd just contact the LAX branch of whoever you're flying with and get the skinny from the horse's mouth.

 

[Quiet]

As long as the firearms are unloaded and in a locked container that meets TSA standards, you will be good-to-go.

 

[csmc1863]

Just watch yourself Calif. is about the most unfriendly gun state I know of. Unless of course your a armed felon they really care about their rights.

 

[Kalamity023]

While you may be in compliance with federal law by transporting locked etc... You can be subjected to California law if you're stopped over and take possession of your firearm from the airline. Now when you go to check in you've inadvertently broken California's law and are subject to arrest. There are numerous reports of this happening in the NYC airports, and a few threads on here dealing with this same subject. Also you have to be careful which firearms you take with you as they may not be CA compliant; no high capacity magazines either. If I remember correctly from what I read in CA law it's a felony to possess them.

 

[Saltcreek]

My first impression in seeing a comparison between Chicago and LAX in relation to guns, is sorta like comparing Soviet consentration camps and asking which one is bad. :sarcastic:

 

[Quiet]

While you may be in compliance with federal law by transporting locked etc... You can be subjected to California law if you're stopped over and take possession of your firearm from the airline. Now when you go to check in you've inadvertently broken California's law and are subject to arrest. There are numerous reports of this happening in the NYC airports, and a few threads on here dealing with this same subject. Also you have to be careful which firearms you take with you as they may not be CA compliant; no high capacity magazines either. If I remember correctly from what I read in CA law it's a felony to possess them.

NY & NJ have stricter firearms laws than CA.
The CA airport incidents all have to deal with people trying to board with a loaded firearm that they forgot was in their luggage.

The main thing to be concerned about CA is having the firearms unloaded and in a locked container.

Beyond that...
Don't import any prohibited weapons (assault weapons, DD, MG, SBR, SBS, switchblades, batons/saps/clubs, shurikens, nunchucks) and/or large capacity (11+ round) magazines.

It's legal to import/possess magazine parts, so if you are traveling with 11+ round magazines just dissassemble them before you enter CA and do not assemble them while you are in CA.

Also the TSA does not enforce any of CA gun laws.
So, as long as you do not leave the airport and the firearms/accessories are locked up, you won't have any problems.

 

[BIGJOHN621]

This is a thread that is filled with wrong information. The website of the AG in CA is so easily found and has the information so prominently displayed, it is frustrating that no one bothered to even check it before offering advice or, frankly, asking this question.

Possession of a handgun in California is not restricted so long as it meets the FOPA storage criteria. Here is the exact wording from http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/travel

"California Penal Code section 12025 does not prevent a citizen of the United States over 18 years of age who is not lawfully prohibited from firearm possession, and who resides or is temporarily in California, from transporting by motor vehicle any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a locked container."

There is no issue with LAX so long as you have not broken the assault weapon or high capacity magazine laws and have the gun unloaded and in a locked container. See the aforementioned web page for the rest of the info.

The difference is that in NY and NJ, possession of any handgun, in any manner, is illegal for all, with affirmative defense provided for LEOs and permit holders (and other very specific instances). In CA, there is no such law.

 

[OldLlama32]

Big john.... I did read that but also like to get input from people who have experienced the travel to LaX. There are lots of posts of negative trips and that is what i want to avoid. Thanks for the info. I ended up not bringing my firearm to lax, but plan on taking it to texas next week.

Can't wait for federal law to allow in all states. I can dream can't I?