I'm looking for any information about flying into California with my pistol. I have an upcoming trip where I will be flying into San Diego, staying for a few days, then driving to Vegas, and flying home out of Vegas. I don't plan to carry in California, i only have Hawaii and Arizona carry licenses. My pistol is on the California DOJ handgun roster (Springfield Armory XD9801). It would remain locked up (per TSA requirements) at my Air B&B during my time in CA. I should be ok right? Am I forgetting anything, or have I overlooked some regulation I dont know about? Any knowledge or advice is welcome.
Thanksl
No matter how much you research, plan and imagine the trip, there's always that slim chance that something unforeseen happens and having that firearm in your possession becomes a problem for at least the time it takes the police and DA to determine whether they can/will charge you with something.
Unless you really need the pistol in SD, maybe consider mailing it to an FFL in Vegas to pick up when you arrive?
You might also avoid taking any ammo, as that has to be in a locked case separate from the firearm. Buy what you need in Vegas.
Sometimes avoiding the issue altogether is better than risking a possibly time consuming and expensive situation.
BTW, there's no statute requiring that a traveler's pistol must comply with the "Roster of Handguns for sale." That only applies to sales or transfers of handguns. Of course, that doesn't mean a cop who stops you for speeding isn't going to detain you for possessing a "non-compliant" pistol while he "investigates" your "real purpose" for being in CA.
Look at the storage laws for air travel as well as storage in CA. If you take it with you each day, do you have a secure place in the vehicle to lock it up? Or, do you plan to leave it in your room where maids and maintenance people have access? The same question applies to securing it in your room as it does in a car.
For me, I would do the mail-to-Vegas option, but I don't know all the details of your trip.
Good luck!