Airline called Police to come interview me

submitted by thomastheglassexpert from self.firearms

An oddity that in over 30 years of flying with a firearm has never happened. Yesterday LGA flying to SYR the check in clerk upon my telling her as usual "I have a firearm to declare" said "just wait I'll call the police" so I asked "why would you do that? Call Police?" She said yes. So, in a few minutes here comes Port Authority 2 cops relatively not really friendly and asked to see gun and my "papers to show your ID" and I asked politely why. I told them in over 30 years traveling I have never been interviewed by cops just had to check in with TSA. They told me "welcome to New York we have our own rules". So I began a short series of polite chat and a joke to calm everyone down, they looked in my now-open hardcase and they REALLY did not like the .45 magazines loaded. Perfectly legal for the TSA is what I said. Gun unloaded, in hardcase and locked. All normal. Police said "no this is New York we do not like your loaded magazines do you have another case" and I said no. Female thought long and hard and looking at my own State CCW and DL she said "well I suppose you can go you look like a good guy" and that was it. Because I "look like a good guy" the police of New York decided I could go. Sure looks like what I would think of as a Police State to me where cops get to decide if "I look like a good guy" and what if they had not? Arrested? Seize firearm? Tell me fuck right off? Tell me to go see a Judge because I have a firearm? Why yes to all I sure think that's where New York is headed to.

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[–]StrategicTactic 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

They are making a two tiered society. Those who blindly follow their narrative no matter how illogical and the others, who must be mocked, shamed, and ostracized at every turn. The law is no longer a refuge, and soon will come a time when people of good character have been pushed too far.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

My final entry to this sordid tale. Last night landing to SEA the Alaska folks said "so sorry we have no idea where your bag is we will contact you". And that was that. This morning 6 am I called Bag Service and they said yup we have your bag it came in late last night. Said I would come get. I did. Opened bag in front of them to find gun case still there and another oddity = gun case locks strewn on top of clothes gun case NOT locked. And why would that be? Because SYR lady at ticketing said "put locks on case but do not latch as TSA might want to have a look" and I suppose they did. Then just tossed locks into bag and said FRO not my problem I suppose. So, lost bag, very excellent .45 H&K inside not locked. Our mighty government overlords right? To be trusted with all manner of our lives? So this is it for this thread I'm done with it.

[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Sounds like it worked out okay in the end. This time.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

As I travel this planet I see all sorts of evil from governments all over the world and my own USA government likely takes 1st place as Most Incompetent Ever. And does any one in the government care = why no. They don't. And, don't care that they do not care.

[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Going from 'most competent' to our current state has been pretty annoying. People in general are just too easy to distract, and the competent and successful have been weeded out over the years. Then you get to a point where we aren't "us" anymore.

[–]Brewdabier 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I'm having trouble believing this story, not only New York but every state has been the exact same that I've been to (38) "You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted." As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks. Now when the cops ask for papers you should have provided them and not ask why. This IMO sounds like the I CANT BREATH bs blacks use with cops.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The story as I've written exactly as what happened and another for you. You can check their website if you wish = American Airlines. I was to fly out of ATL about 6 months ago and 100% all as normal. I had flown there on Delta and AA to return to SEA where I call home. ATL AA check in said open guncase so we can look and fine and I did and lady said "no you cannot have those magazines filled with bullets they must be in original factory package" and I said "no that is not what TSA rules are" and she said "I am telling you what OUR rules are". Then she showed me the website where it stated exactly that = Ammunition must be:

In the original packaging from the manufacturer or in packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition (made of fiber, wood or metal), with a maximum of 11 pounds (5 kgs) per container or customer. Ammunition is not accepted loose or in magazines or clips.

Look it up here if you wish = https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/firearms-and-ammunition.jsp and is this what TSA says? No it is what AA says.

And what happened? I emptied 5 magazines and placed all bullets in a bag for trash taken away by TSA agent.

Moral of the story here? You started yours with "I having trouble believing this since..." and myself and 100% all others are at the whim and disposition of the authority we are dealing with. Little Emperors is what I call them. Your response to my missive seems very steeped in suspicion and I wrote my missive to warn others of reality. This is what happened. If you choose not to believe the story as I wrote it very exactly then that's on you. I know exactly what TSA rules are however airlines quite apparently now have their own rules added onto that. Since I leave New York via Syracuse airport in 2 days now I am forewarned not to have bullets inside the magazines since that's what set off the LGA Port Police. My having a good attitude and polite I believe saved my butt. And ammo. And very possibly an arrest since cops tend to do that to people who resist and argue with them.

[–]eh-non-plus 0 insightful - 1 fun0 insightful - 0 fun1 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

long mostly-agreeable refutation

Now when cops ask for papers you should have provided them and not ask why

actually the hallmark of a libertarian society

sneaks in a little bit of race-baiting at the end

Dunno man, maybe just edit out the bullshit. Perhaps the police injustice is a failure to uphold the dignity and rights of paper-carrying citizens - just issue court summons when applicable instead of trying to use forceful search.

[–]Brewdabier 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Perhaps the police injustice

So cops should be like.

[–]IkeConn 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

When I was flying a lot if I wanted to be absolutly sure my luggage would get there I would declare a firearm in it. It was tracked at every step.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

And if someone wanted to look in your bag to check your declared firearm assume you had one?

[–]IkeConn 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

No law against declaring a firearm whether you actually have one in your luggage or not.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

From the TSA website = 'Any inappropriate remarks or jokes concerning security may result in your arrest.' I do note that word "may" and I would imagine that joking with TSA would be looked at poorly. If you say you have a weapon in fact knowing you do not then is that not a knowing lie? The end.

[–]thomastheglassexpert[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

And a fun update! This morning now at SYR airport here was the gig = checked in with United and "I have a firearm" and all fine. Lady says "may we see" and I showed and now ammunition in separate small case I bought at local gun store 3 empty mags and all is well. They say zip up do not lock and we will send bag down carrier. So this airport like a select few has their TSA check firearm back of the house. No cops this time so I wonder if all the above from La Guardia actually a New York City thing? Dunno. Many cities have their own weird little rules unlike what the bubba said below of "The TSA says" and yah well each city/state/airport terminal I go to "also says". And shall I argue? To what point is that to Little Tyrants?