Flying with ar15 after gun ban, need help!

[Johnboy361]

Good evening, I have a question that I really need help answering. If I legally purchased an ar15 before the ban in california, have all the paper with dates and serial numbers. Is there an possible way I could run into any problems flying with said gun. I would register it but that is unavailable to do at the moment and don't want to go and spend money on all the parts to make it new cali compliant. It does have a bullet button and I only have 10 round mags. Really just need help with this. Thanks for any info that can be provided!

[Hugga Nugga]

Why do you need to fly with it?

[Johnboy361]

Going hog hunting in Texas for 2 weeks.

[Nguyen]

why dont you post in the appropriate section for the forum?

[GW]

You should have no problems BUT...
Check with your airline and follow their rules to the letter. TSA approved shipping case. Ammo needs to be stored in a separate locked case that you can put in your suitcase. OTOH I'd just buy the ammo in Texas. One less thing to worry about at the airport and less weight to lug around.
Have a great time on that hunt and let us know how you did.

[Johnboy361]

Have a lockable hard sided case, locks for the case. On their website it says that ammo can be carried in the same case as the firearm which tsar website also says (from what I could see.) Just worried about flying back into california with the gun.

[-hanko]

Have a lockable hard sided case, locks for the case. On their website it says that ammo can be carried in the same case as the firearm which tsar website also says (from what I could see.) Just worried about flying back into california with the gun.

Ammo (airline rules) needs to be in an oem box or similar...like an MTM or similar plastic case.

Maximum ammo weight (IATA regulation) is 5 Kilo's per passenger.

Since you check your rifle in on the return flight, it should come out the baggage carousel or be brought out to you by a baggage guy, or even behind the counter in the baggage office...I've experienced all 3 possibilities. Be SURE to insure the case with the rifle adequately.

There's no California return gun check when you get back, so why are you worried about flying back with the rifle??

[2afourever]

My experience at SJC and LAS checking guns.

I flew from San Jose airport to las Vegas last week with two handguns and some ammo.

The TSA has rules which can also be found on each airlines website (in my case Southwest Airlines).

Basically, any gun has to be unloaded and in a hard sided locked container. I recommend taking mags out.

You can take up to (I think) 11lbs of ammo. It can either be in the cardboard boxes that you buy it in or in an ammo box. It cant be loose.

I dont think it matters what type of firearm, AR or handgun are treated the same.

You have to check in at the desk, not at the self service machine.

Guns and ammo have to be in checked baggage, never in your carry ons. If you take even one round of ammo in carry on you will be in big trouble.

In my case, I had two handguns in locked containers in my suitcase. I had two boxes of ammo in the suitcase as well. Not in the locked containers, just in the suitcase.

I went to the check in desk and told the lady I have guns and ammo. She filled out a card for each gun which I had to sign saying they are not loaded etc. She asked me to open the cases and show her the guns were not loaded. It was pretty crazy, I was standing at the Southwest Airlines check in desk at San Jose airport and I got out the two guns and racked the slides to check they were not loaded. People in the check in line were looking at me with their jaws on the floor. Kind of unusual to be standing in an airport terminal with guns in your hands (For me anyway)...

Then she put one card in each case and I relocked the cases, but them in my suitcase and the bag was checked.

I suggest you use the TSA locks which you can buy at home depot as the TSA can open the easily to check if they want.

When I got to Vegas there was a note in my bag to say TSA had in fact opened my bag to check.

Returning from Vegas to san jose, the procedure was basically the same except the lady at check in said I didn't have to open the locked cases. I just had to sign the card to say the guns weren't loaded. And I only had to fill out one card. Vegas was pretty relaxed, except I had to wait 15 minutes before going to the gate in case TSA wanted to talk to me.

I got the feeling the check in at San Jose had never seen a gun before, the lady on the Southwest counter was shaking as she went through the procedure, almost beads of sweat on her forehead, like she had been trained on it but had never done it before. But you know, its Kommiefornia, so its not surprising.

I guess for long guns they just have to be unloaded in a locked container which wont be in your suitcase but will be checked like a regular bag. If you have registered your AR as an "Assault weapon" the rules may be different I dont know. Another good reason to just convert it to "Featureless" (Just take off the flash hider, put on a cap or muzzle break, put on a kydex wrap and bingo.) Your scary "Assault weapon" just became a totally safe firearm....

[2afourever]

Oh and I forgot, pin your adjustable stock.

[riceman]

"TSA approved locks compromise the security of your firearm. Remember, the law states that you ALONE maintain possession of the keys to your gun case. The TSA requires a hard sided, lockable case: this Pelican case comes highly recommended (remember to get heavy duty locks for it)."
Quote from TSA web sight in 2016.

[damon1272]

To give you the answer you are looking for, you are dealing with a federal agency and not a state agency. They will not be inspecting your rifle when it comes in as it was inspect (possible) from your departure point.

If you want to be extra careful, separate upper for the lower and remove the grip. Then you do not have a rifle, you have parts.

[God Bless America]

OP check yer PMs.

[Euphoria526]

I think to answer the op's quotation:
No issues, go featureless or register before next year. Jan1st 2018...... unless I'm wrong