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Author Topic: FOPA and NYC-area airports  (Read 207 times)

Online rgaper

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FOPA and NYC-area airports
« on: January 17, 2012, 02:36:53 PM »
I've long done my part to make sure as many fellow shooters as possible are educated on FOPA so that when they travel, they don't have to worry.  We've all heard the instances where some knucklehead shows up at an NYC airport ticket counter, tries to check a gun, and gets arrested.  Well, I was forwarded a link to a DOJ document from a few years ago that would seem to imply that DOJ's view is that FOPA would protect you even at an unfriendly airport.

http://www.nraila.org/images/DOJltrTSA.pdf

If I'm reading this right, my interpretation (not an attorney, don't play one on TV) is that if you are traveling from your home in CT with a CT-legal firearm to JFK airport, you could check-in at the ticket counter with a firearm that's legal in CT, but completely illegal in NYC as long as it's legal in your destination city.

That's not to say that you won't get arrested, in NYC, but it's interesting that this document appears to give the official view that even if your journey is split up between cars and planes, that legality in your origin and destination that are the the only two that count.

Interesting.

Does this mean I'll be flying into JFK when I come up for the ShivWorks training in May?  Not so much.

 

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Online A8AWD

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2012, 04:05:56 PM »
Does this mean I'll be flying into JFK when I come up for the ShivWorks training in May?  Not so much.

F no and F NY.
"From a close distance I am very confident with me engaging an individual with a carbine at low ready and me having no gun." *Kyle Defoor*

Online Zindo

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2012, 05:00:16 PM »
It's very plain that NY and NYC think they are a nation unto themselves and the hell with your rights as a citizen of the US! Like A8 said...F**k NY and NYC!!!

Zindo
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Online sbhaven

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2012, 06:05:23 PM »
Yes per that PDF you are technically legal if you fly out of an NYC area airport with a a firearm so long as you follow your airline's policy on flying with firearms/ammunition. People have reported no issues flying out of NY. But as we have seen some people have been busted for firearms at NYC area airports.

It will all come down to TSA and Port Authority police and if they honor FOPA or bust your stones and hassle you for violating NY state law on handgun possession without an NY permit.

It should be noted that that particular PDF has been posted elsewhere on this board. See the "Tea Party leader arrested" thread from last December: http://www.ctguntalk.com/smf/general-discussion-board/tea-party-leader-arrested/.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2012, 06:06:04 PM by sbhaven »

Online Alan Laidlaw

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2012, 07:15:58 PM »
Can't remember where I read it now, but I read that New Jersey and Wash. DC do not honor FOPA.

A short while ago a passenger was flying from Point (A) (forgot is departure and arrival points) where he was legal to carry, to point (B) where he was also legal, his flight was diverted to Newark for an emergency, and the passengers
were put up in a hotel overnight before they could continue on in the morning. His legally checked handgun was in the suitcase which was given back to him in Newark. When he returned to the flight the next morning, he did the right thing and again declared the gun in his suitcase, and was promptly arrested and as I remember spent 10 days in jail. I beleive the NRA is helping him fight this case. Wish I could remember more details, any one else hear this story?
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Online rgaper

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2012, 07:45:08 PM »
Yeah, I've been diverted as well... got within seconds of landing at HPN last year and the pilot pushed the throttle to the firewall and we took off with that "bolter, bolter, bolter!" feeling in my gut.  The pilot came on the cabin PA... "folks, if you noticed, we didn't land... not enough visibility so we're going to figure out what to do."  About 20 minutes later, we landed at Newark-Liberty.

Now, if I had a firearm with me, you bet your ass I would get out of that airport and in a cab or rental car ASAP and drive to CT.

If I was too far to drive, and had to stay overnight to check back in the next day, I wouldn't accept my luggage.  The problem with all of these people who get arrested is that they check back in the next day with a firearm.

Again, not suggesting that anyone go this route, I was only pointing out the DOJ letter that I hadn't seen before.

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Online RayJay

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Re: FOPA and NYC-area airports
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2012, 07:58:02 PM »
Alan - The case you speak of:  http://www.gunweek.com/2006/NYNJ0320.html

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