Flying through Newark, NJ with suppressors?

[effendude]

I have a trip to South Africa this summer. Flying from Minneapolis to Johannesburg with a connecting flight in Newark, NJ.
I would like to bring my rifles with suppressors but I have heard NJ doesn't allow suppressors. I would not be leaving the airport nor in possession of my firearms while awaiting my flight. Flying through Newark on the return trip as well.

Anyone have experience with this? Silencer Central video mentioned it not being a problem but I want to be sure. My main concern is presenting firearms for inspection upon returning.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

While 18USC926A would "protect" you if your departure and destination was lawful procession. New Jersey is a no lawful procession state. If for some reason you miss a flight or flight is cancelled and you must take procession in the airport you would be in violation of state law. That would be my concern.

 

[DngBat7]

What he said*^^^!!! It is a real possibility. Jersey has insanely strict gun laws. I’m a believer in shipping if you have a layover in any of those states

 

[timeout]

I have read about a person driving in New Jersey that had some 22 rimfire ammo in his vehicle and was arrested. He didn't even have a firearm. Don't know if the story was true or not, but I have no desire to set foot in that blue hole. Like said above you are probably fine if your flight carries on as planned. Should your flight plan change due to unforseen circumstances such as mechanical issues and you have to take possession of your firearm/suppressor, all bets are off.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

There are connecting flights thru Miami, how did you find a flight thru New Jersey?

 

[effendude]

There are connecting flights thru Miami, how did you find a flight thru New Jersey?

I've flown to Cape Town or Jo-berg about 10 times now. Last two trips, United though Newark was almost $1200 cheaper than Delta through Atlanta. Outfitter has nice suppressed rifles but I'm a gun guy. I like using my rifles. My son and daughter in law are accompanying us and I want them to enjoy themselves.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Yes, I would want to take my equipment. Part of the adventure. Too bad our senators are worthless, no help at all for gun owners.

 

[joshb]

There were instances of people being charged while passing thru but that was 5-7 years ago when I read about them. I would do some research.

 

[joshb]

I have read about a person driving in New Jersey that had some 22 rimfire ammo in his vehicle and was arrested. He didn't even have a firearm. Don't know if the story was true or not, but I have no desire to set foot in that blue hole. Like said above you are probably fine if your flight carries on as planned. Should your flight plan change due to unforseen circumstances such as mechanical issues and you have to take possession of your firearm/suppressor, all bets are off.

It’s illegal to possess a hollow point bullet in New Jersey. If those 22’s were hollow points, I’d believe it.
Add from a 2 minute search:

 

[prone.life]

Maybe consider shipping suppressor(s) separately ( DHL )? Luggage checked to your final destination "shouldn't" be subject to NJ scrutiny, your airline "should" be able to confirm. The weird boundary use case would be if for some reason ( weather, mechanical issues ) you had to take possession of them in NJ and then re-check them in in NJ.

edit: article on flying with suppressors, including a note from TSA here

-- not a lawyer, just someone who's flown a bit

 

[R&B]

I have a trip to South Africa this summer. Flying from Minneapolis to Johannesburg with a connecting flight in Newark, NJ.
I would like to bring my rifles with suppressors but I have heard NJ doesn't allow suppressors. I would not be leaving the airport nor in possession of my firearms while awaiting my flight. Flying through Newark on the return trip as well.

Anyone have experience with this? Silencer Central video mentioned it not being a problem but I want to be sure. My main concern is presenting firearms for inspection upon returning.

Thanks,
Scott

I'm not sure you're allowed to be in possession of any firearm related item once it is lawfully check in from your departing destination. You should be checking with the airline that you booked your flight with. There are strict FAA rules for luggage all flights must abide by. These are federal and international standards not state and local. The flights themselves are highly regulated start from the top and work your way down. It is and always we be about the money and the money is always controlled from the top. Tourism is 9% of South Africa's GDP and yes hunting concessions in S.A. has been and always we be a part of the tourism pie (2.4 Billion Dollars).

-R&B

 

[DRK]

I've flown to Cape Town or Jo-berg about 10 times now. Last two trips, United though Newark was almost $1200 cheaper than Delta through Atlanta. Outfitter has nice suppressed rifles but I'm a gun guy. I like using my rifles. My son and daughter in law are accompanying us and I want them to enjoy themselves.

Do NOT take NFA items out of the USA, NFA firearms are much different from Title I firearms leaving the country.

At the very least you are going to need an approved 5320.20 for temporary export from ATF & a permit from the state dept. Coming back whether you can avoid needing an approved form 6 is questionable.

See the NFA handbook if you don't believe me, 11.4.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Take the damn thing off and you have solved everything.

 

[hogpatrol]

A lot of misinformation in this thread. It's legal, you can do it and it's not an issue in Newark. Take it attached or unattached to the rifle, with it listed on your paperwork (Customs form 4457). Been through Newark three times since 2022 with rifles and the only thing that TSA checked was the serial number on the action to make sure it matched the 4457. The irony is in South Africa, cans are sold over the counter like a pack of cigarettes.

This is a recent post from another forum that covers Africa and international hunts:

"I traveled last August and hunted with my own can. I did not put it on the 4457, just my rifle was on there. I did take a copy of my Stamp, and as far as I can tell, the only ones that care about it are the ATF. Take a direct flight to and from JNB, we used United out of Newark and had no issues coming or going. Customs did not care about them at all, just wanted to verify serial number on the rifle."

 

[hogpatrol]

It’s illegal to possess a hollow point bullet in New Jersey. If those 22’s were hollow points, I’d believe it.
Add from a 2 minute search:
View attachment 1759539

Just pistol bullets. I hunted groundhogs in NJ with hollow point .17s in a Fireball. The basic rule for travel with guns in NJ is it must be unloaded, in a locked container and the ammo not easily accessible. When I hunted, the rifle or shotgun was in a locked gun case in the cab of my truck and the ammo was in a locked box in the bed. Never had a problem and where I hunted was on a farm owned by an ex deputy game warden.

Federal Pre-exemption for Firearms Transported Through New Jersey​

Federal law allows for transport of a firearm through any state, including New Jersey, under certain limited circumstances set forth in 18 U.S.C. 926A. This law pre-empts any state law to the contrary if the following apply: (1) Possession of the firearm was legal in the state of origin; (2) Possession will be lawful in the destination of the accused; (3) Possession is with a lawful purpose; (4) The handgun, shotgun, rifle or other firearm is unloaded; (5) The firearm and ammunition are not directly accessible from the passenger compartment; (6) The possessor is not a convicted felon, fugitive from justice or someone who has been dishonorable discharged; (7) The possessor is not an illegal alien or someone who renounced citizen to the United States; and (8) The possessor has not been adjudicated or committed because of a mental disability or defect.

Penalties for Illegal Transport of a Firearm​

The allowance for transportation within New Jersey represents an exemption from prosecution for an NJ unlawful possession of a handgun charge under 2C:39-5b or an offense arising out of any other section of this statute. What this means is that you are exposed to a crime of either the second or third degree by failing to adhere to the firearm transportation limitations in the state. This exposes you to 5-10 years for second-degree possession of an illegal handgun and 3-5 years for third-degree possession of an illegal shotgun or rifle.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

If your really worried just buy a suppressor this side and have it shipped to your PH or ask him to organize it and pay him the difference, they are so good and cheap over here. You could just walk into one of the biggest gun stores outside the US about 15min from the airport in Johannesburg and buy one of the shelve.
Get here, spin it on, zero, hunt and leave it as a gift, your looking at about $200 ish for a very very good magnum can.

Depending where your going hunting youl probably pass 10 gun shops in any direction

 

[GetReal]

Breaking: NJ sucketh.

 

[cem]

Agreed, it should be no problem and not even that tedious, assuming everything goes as planned. I'd be nervous if the flight diverts to someplace in New York state or remotely possible to Canada. Myself I'd travel with a line-up rod and buy there.

 

[323]

Just pistol bullets. I hunted groundhogs in NJ with hollow point .17s in a Fireball. The basic rule for travel with guns in NJ is it must be unloaded, in a locked container and the ammo not easily accessible. When I hunted, the rifle or shotgun was in a locked gun case in the cab of my truck and the ammo was in a locked box in the bed. Never had a problem and where I hunted was on a farm owned by an ex deputy game warden.

Federal Pre-exemption for Firearms Transported Through New Jersey​

Federal law allows for transport of a firearm through any state, including New Jersey, under certain limited circumstances set forth in 18 U.S.C. 926A. This law pre-empts any state law to the contrary if the following apply: (1) Possession of the firearm was legal in the state of origin; (2) Possession will be lawful in the destination of the accused; (3) Possession is with a lawful purpose; (4) The handgun, shotgun, rifle or other firearm is unloaded; (5) The firearm and ammunition are not directly accessible from the passenger compartment; (6) The possessor is not a convicted felon, fugitive from justice or someone who has been dishonorable discharged; (7) The possessor is not an illegal alien or someone who renounced citizen to the United States; and (8) The possessor has not been adjudicated or committed because of a mental disability or defect.

Penalties for Illegal Transport of a Firearm​

The allowance for transportation within New Jersey represents an exemption from prosecution for an NJ unlawful possession of a handgun charge under 2C:39-5b or an offense arising out of any other section of this statute. What this means is that you are exposed to a crime of either the second or third degree by failing to adhere to the firearm transportation limitations in the state. This exposes you to 5-10 years for second-degree possession of an illegal handgun and 3-5 years for third-degree possession of an illegal shotgun or rifle.

The question is about the suppressor not the firearms. So what happens if the flight is canceled and you have to take possession of your firearms and suppressor. Stay in a hotel for the night, since it’s against the law to possess a suppressor in new jersey what do you do when you have to check your firearm with suppressor at TSA again you are technically in violation of state law. The above scenario is a big stick of dynamite. Chances of it happening slim to none but weird stuff has happened.

 

[hogpatrol]

The question is about the suppressor not the firearms. So what happens if the flight is canceled and you have to take possession of your firearms and suppressor. Stay in a hotel for the night, since it’s against the law to possess a suppressor in new jersey what do you do when you have to check your firearm with suppressor at TSA again you are technically in violation of state law. The above scenario is a big stick of dynamite. Chances of it happening slim to none but weird stuff has happened.

Interstate, all TSA ever checked was for the firearm to be unloaded and any ammo was packed correctly. No need to show any customs form 4457 as when one arrives from out of the country. For all intents and purposes a can is just part of the firearm. As you said, chances of some law enforcement coming to your hotel room, especially in crime free Newark, NJ is slim. Besides that, the firearm/can is still in transit.