should i carry?

[jcraft203]

Hi all,
Have had my permit for years now but only been serious about carrying for about 6 months. I have a full carry permit for New York. In a few weeks i will be travelling to Houston for a week via American Airlines. I have been reading up and see that Texas honors New York permits. So i was thinking of taking my shield. Never ever flown with a firearm and it is a bit intimidating. I looked at TSA. Rules and it seems pretty straightforward. The thought of beeing in another city though is scarry as well. I willl read up on all the laws in Texas if i do decide to take the leap. Way there i have connecting flights in north carolina and on the way home i connect in Ohare. Any suggestions and if any of you felt intimidated the first time you carried in another state. Thx

 

[Ozark Marine]

Just follow the reg's and you'll be good to go. Enjoy the great state of Texas. Good people there.

 

[wsr]

I fly with firearms all the time, it's a non issue 99.99% of the time
Print out and have with you the TSA REGS and your particular airlines rules.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I fly with firearms all the time, it's a non issue 99.99% of the time
Print out and have with you the TSA REGS and your particular airlines rules.

Along with that, don't expect the airline or TSA to exactly follow the rules. The procedure varies from airport to airport and agent to agent. You need to have studied the rules and complied with them as printed when you arrive, just be prepared to go with the flow, and don't do anything until you're told.

Couple of absolutes I've found over the years:

1. You can't curb check your luggage. Must go inside.

2. First words out of your mouth at the check in counter should be "I need to declare a firearm."

After that, just get in, sit down, shut up, and hang on . . .

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Yes, you should carry. You should carry everywhere you are legally able.

Bonus - Since 01/01/2016 Texas now has open carry. You must use a belt or shoulder holster. You can't just stick the gun in your waistband.

Watch for 30.06 signs prohibiting carrying a firearm at all, and watch for 30.07 signs prohibiting open carry.

You'll see signs at restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages that read: "It is unlawful to carry a weapon on the premises unless the person is licensed to carry the weapon under the concealed handgun law." That doesn't mean you can't carry there; it just means you have to have a license or you're committing a felony.

Places that derive more than 50% of their revenue from alcoholic beverage sales have the dreaded "51%" signs, and you can't carry at all in those places.

The good thing is that Texas law is very specific about the size, placement, lettering, and color of all the signs, and they must be in English and Spanish.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[crazyphil]

As the old Ranger said: Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. With all of the good preceding advice you should not have a problem.

 

[DevilDog72]

well come on down, glad to have ya and yes to your question.

 

[therewolf]

Not for nuthin', but you'll be safer in Texas than you are in NY.

Down here in the south, the crime rates are lower than in

the "progressive" northern states, like NJ, NY, and Illinois.

Criminals know we fight crime by shooting back, so they

move up to the "progressive" states...

 

[murphydog]

In addition to "I wish to declare a firearm":

They may accept the gun at the ticket counter, or you may have to walk with your bag to a private area with a TSA agent to check it.

Be sure to have a lockable, hard-sided case; having a cable lock through the barrel with the action open beforehand makes everyone relax too. The lock does not have to be openable by anyone but you. After the agent inspects everything, they will have you fill out a little card stating it has been inspected, which goes in your luggage with the case. They should let you know when it is OK to lock the case.

Ammunition has to be in factory (preferably) or equally secure ammo-specific containers as you would use for storing reloads. No loaded magazines. Keeping all your ammo boxes and gun-related gear in a clear plastic bag on top of your packed luggage (so it can be seen without digging through all the contents) is a good idea.

Even after all the above, they may make you walk the suitcase to the x-ray/inspection area, or may just accept the checked bag and you can be on your way to the security checkpoint and your gate directly.

Lastly, be sure you know the specific laws pertaining to the city of your departing NY airport, if any.

Stay safe out there!

 

[Hair Trigger]

Heck, it's TEXAS. I thought that if you showed up there without a gun, they'd issue you one.

 

[Moe Mentum]

I always carry where I am legally allowed to.

 

[WNC Seabee]

As mentioned before - it's really a non-issue 99% of the time. 2 great pieces of advise that I'll echo:

- 1st thing to say is "I need to declare a firearm in my checked luggage"
- GO with the flow

And, yes, first time (of hundreds) that I did it I was nervous and unsure about it.

 

[Protected One]

As I told my wife when she saw me packing up my gun for our flight to Arizona and said "Why are you taking that?"

Me: Because we're going to Arizona - not Heaven!

 

[Retired Chief]

Should I carry? Only you can answer that question. None of the rest of us have enough information on you or your plans for this trip to give an answer to whether YOU should carry. Many of us will carry whenever we can, and others will evaluate what they are going to do and decide whether they want to take their weapon while snorkeling and if not, is it going to be safe somewhere while not on your person.
Be careful while at O'Hare. The People's Republic of Illinois does NOT recognize any other state's carry permits. Your weapon must remain in a closed container and unloaded at all times while you are in Illinois. Hopefully, your baggage will be loaded from one plane to another without you having to be in control of it while visiting Chicago. DO NOT tell people you have a gun in your bag! Some airport cop might well decide that since you are in Illinois and do not have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued by the Illinois State Police that you are in violation of Illinois law. While you would probably win that criminal case, it could be very expensive, and your gun would likely be a rusty trot-line weight when you got it back. Chicago only wants guns in the hands of cops, gangbangers and Chicago aldermen (not much difference in those last two groups in my experience!).
Have a good time in Texas.

 

[Doug M.]

In addition to my retired ID (LEOSA) and qualification proof, I have a collection of non-resident carry licenses (by whatever name) from various states. I carry almost every moment of every day, avoiding places I can't lawfully carry unless it is just not possible. If one travels at all, I advocate that they get all the non-resident carry licenses they can. Some are broadly accepted (FL, UT); some states you need theirs (MA, CT). Living in the NE, you should have MA, CT, NH, ME, and of course stay out of new Jersey.

Flying: easy. Actually better since TSA came on to the scene. Go to the TSA website and find the rules about transporting guns and ammo, then to the airline's and the same. I print and carry them in my carry on, just like my flight info, medications, etc. I have not needed them in years - the airlines are pretty good about it now, even in silly places like O'Hare. Each airport is a bit different, so be prepared to be flexible.

I use a hard sided cases with a lock hole on each side, and two locks keyed the same. That will go into my locked luggage. Pistol is empty, mags and moonclips (I carry a Glock and a 9mm J frame most of the time) empty, ammo in factory boxes. I have found that the airline folks are much better trained now, and don't freak out, but to keep other nosy people from hearing and saying something stupid, I just tell the clerk "I have something I need to to declare" and they all have understood it is code for "gun". You will have a little orange card to do, which goes in your luggage near the case (I ask for tape to affix it to the gun case, but that's not critical). I have not had to "show empty" in a long time - TSA X-rays it, and asks that I stay someplace they can reach me, or has me check in with their desk in a few minutes.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Should I carry? Only you can answer that question. None of the rest of us have enough information on you or your plans for this trip to give an answer to whether YOU should carry. Many of us will carry whenever we can, and others will evaluate what they are going to do and decide whether they want to take their weapon while snorkeling and if not, is it going to be safe somewhere while not on your person.
Be careful while at O'Hare. The People's Republic of Illinois does NOT recognize any other state's carry permits. Your weapon must remain in a closed container and unloaded at all times while you are in Illinois. Hopefully, your baggage will be loaded from one plane to another without you having to be in control of it while visiting Chicago. DO NOT tell people you have a gun in your bag! Some airport cop might well decide that since you are in Illinois and do not have a Firearm Owner's Identification Card issued by the Illinois State Police that you are in violation of Illinois law. While you would probably win that criminal case, it could be very expensive, and your gun would likely be a rusty trot-line weight when you got it back. Chicago only wants guns in the hands of cops, gangbangers and Chicago aldermen (not much difference in those last two groups in my experience!).
Have a good time in Texas.

Complete hysteria. I've flown through O'Hare multiple times with a gun, and I don't live in Illinois. Everyone needs to relax . . . .

 

[Sergntmac]

Having completed 30 years of LEO service in Illinois, including 9 years as an FTO and 18 years as a supervising SGT., I must contradict the testimony of others in this thread.

Not stories or lip service from others, I have personally encountered/investigated/supervised firearms violations by visitors in excess of 500 times over those years. The rule of law is that only certified "peace officers" may possess firearms. Peace officer, not police officer.

Thiis how the law is crafted, how it is written and how it is read. That's about 2 paragraphs in the ILCS. The next dozen or so pages (seems that many anyway) are the "exceptions".

Exception to this law include out-of-state LEOs on duty assignment, the customary "Armed Forces" personnel engaged in their specific duties, and visitors traveling through the state. That's "through" the state.

Those who are visiting for an extended stay, such as a weekend in the Big Windy, may secure their firearms in their hotel room, or, leave it in a secure location with hotel desk personnel. All the brand name hotels have customer safes, check on this when you make reservation.

These exceptions also apply to CCW/LTC (or whatever the name) who are in compliance with the law in their home state. Thus, if you have a license/permit to possess/carry a firearm on your person at your home address, you will be okay in Illinois. But, don't be surprised to hear the officer ask you to lock it up in your trunk.

It has been difficult to enforce this law when it seems a tad behind the times but it is so, and that is what the officer has sworn to uphold. OTOH, there have been a few times where the difficult decision was decided by the attitude of the citizen. Invariably, many have tried to play lawyer and point out where the officer is wrong, but that moment quickly moves forward to giving a Judge the chance to re-educate the misguided.

Without a doubt, the law in Illinois needs to be over-hauled but until that day, best to know where you stand. I am sure I haven covered all circumstances, but time is short.

Y'all be safe.

 

[The Big D]

LEOSA?

Seems you are not including LEOSA qualified folks in your post. Is that intentional?

Be safe.

Having completed 30 years of LEO service in Illinois, including 9 years as an FTO and 18 years as a supervising SGT., I must contradict the testimony of others in this thread.

Not stories or lip service from others, I have personally encountered/investigated/supervised firearms violations by visitors in excess of 500 times over those years. The rule of law is that only certified "peace officers" may possess firearms. Peace officer, not police officer.

Thiis how the law is crafted, how it is written and how it is read. That's about 2 paragraphs in the ILCS. The next dozen or so pages (seems that many anyway) are the "exceptions".

Exception to this law include out-of-state LEOs on duty assignment, the customary "Armed Forces" personnel engaged in their specific duties, and visitors traveling through the state. That's "through" the state.

Those who are visiting for an extended stay, such as a weekend in the Big Windy, may secure their firearms in their hotel room, or, leave it in a secure location with hotel desk personnel. All the brand name hotels have customer safes, check on this when you make reservation.

These exceptions also apply to CCW/LTC (or whatever the name) who are in compliance with the law in their home state. Thus, if you have a license/permit to possess/carry a firearm on your person at your home address, you will be okay in Illinois. But, don't be surprised to hear the officer ask you to lock it up in your trunk.

It has been difficult to enforce this law when it seems a tad behind the times but it is so, and that is what the officer has sworn to uphold. OTOH, there have been a few times where the difficult decision was decided by the attitude of the citizen. Invariably, many have tried to play lawyer and point out where the officer is wrong, but that moment quickly moves forward to giving a Judge the chance to re-educate the misguided.

Without a doubt, the law in Illinois needs to be over-hauled but until that day, best to know where you stand. I am sure I haven covered all circumstances, but time is short.

Y'all be safe.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Unfortunately, through personal knowledge, your statement is not reflective of the grasp of Illinois specific and national firearms law maintained by all Illinois law enforcement officers . . .

Stay safe . . .

Having completed 30 years of LEO service in Illinois, including 9 years as an FTO and 18 years as a supervising SGT., I must contradict the testimony of others in this thread.

Not stories or lip service from others, I have personally encountered/investigated/supervised firearms violations by visitors in excess of 500 times over those years. The rule of law is that only certified "peace officers" may possess firearms. Peace officer, not police officer.

Thiis how the law is crafted, how it is written and how it is read. That's about 2 paragraphs in the ILCS. The next dozen or so pages (seems that many anyway) are the "exceptions".

Exception to this law include out-of-state LEOs on duty assignment, the customary "Armed Forces" personnel engaged in their specific duties, and visitors traveling through the state. That's "through" the state.

Those who are visiting for an extended stay, such as a weekend in the Big Windy, may secure their firearms in their hotel room, or, leave it in a secure location with hotel desk personnel. All the brand name hotels have customer safes, check on this when you make reservation.

These exceptions also apply to CCW/LTC (or whatever the name) who are in compliance with the law in their home state. Thus, if you have a license/permit to possess/carry a firearm on your person at your home address, you will be okay in Illinois. But, don't be surprised to hear the officer ask you to lock it up in your trunk.

It has been difficult to enforce this law when it seems a tad behind the times but it is so, and that is what the officer has sworn to uphold. OTOH, there have been a few times where the difficult decision was decided by the attitude of the citizen. Invariably, many have tried to play lawyer and point out where the officer is wrong, but that moment quickly moves forward to giving a Judge the chance to re-educate the misguided.

Without a doubt, the law in Illinois needs to be over-hauled but until that day, best to know where you stand. I am sure I haven covered all circumstances, but time is short.

Y'all be safe.

 

[Sergntmac]

Seems you are not including LEOSA qualified folks in your post. Is that intentional?

Be safe.

Intentional? Awe Hell no! My last sentence acknowledges that not all circumstances have been covered. Why would you ask this?

Seems to me that the LEOSA stuff is pretty clear by itself. I have my status and it just took a little reading and attention to detail to get up to date with the program.

However, perhaps this would be a time to debate having a forum dedicated to that topic alone? May keep the other threads a bit more "on topic".

Unfortunately, through personal knowledge, your statement is not reflective of the grasp of Illinois specific and national firearms law maintained by all Illinois law enforcement officers . . .

Stay safe . . .

Ummm...not getting your...question? Point? Am I to respond here? Or are you just making an observation.