....and bringing ~ 5 firearms, and driving was not an option so you had to fly,

Would you:
-just check the firearms on the airplane?
-have an ffl send them then pick them up when you get there?

This summer me and the wife are moving up to AK for work, it's a permanent type thing and we will initially be living off the road system so I can't exactly take my whole safe full of guns.

I've narrowed it down to 5 that I will be just fine with (22lr, 30-06, 308, a few 44mags). I have a close friend who is an ffl, so he would not charge me his fee, I'd just pay the shipping then whatever fee I'll end to pay on the receiving end.

Or is it better to just pay the extra baggage and put them on the plane? Seems like this option saves time but is potentially more of a headache and possibly much more expensive (if they charge me like 100 bucks for every extra piece of baggage).

Also, I'm guessing I'd need to get a new state license to pick up my stuff from an ffl/shop.



Has anybody done this? Any advice?

When I moved from Alaska to Canada, I shipped my guns and ammo to my Dad's in the Upper Midwest. When I moved from Canada to the US, I had to figure out how to move my guns from the Upper Midwest to Texas. I already owned two pelican 1750 and two Pelican storm 3300 cases so every trip to Dad's I returned with two full gun cases. I bought some extra foam so sometimes to give me custom fit for shotguns, rifles, and pistols in the cases. Never had any problems flying the guns back with United Airlines.

Here are 2 examples:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
When I moved from Alaska to Canada, I shipped my guns and ammo to my Dad's in the Upper Midwest. When I moved from Canada to the US, I had to figure out how to move my guns from the Upper Midwest to Texas. I already owned two pelican 1750 and two Pelican storm 3300 cases so every trip to Dad's I returned with two full gun cases. I bought some extra foam so sometimes to give me custom fit for shotguns, rifles, and pistols in the cases. Never had any problems flying the guns back with United Airlines.

Here are 2 examples:

Thanks for the pics, I'm definetly going with pelican cases, just need to figure out the best way.

Personally I'd fly them up with me.

Don't ship them to an FFL in a state you aren't a legal resident of. For handguns, at least, he won't be able to legally release them to you, friend or not.
Getting a new license may still not make things easy. For example, in my state, a new license can't be used for firearms transactions withing thirty days of issue.

quote:

Originally posted by zoom6zoom:
Don't ship them to an FFL in a state you aren't a legal resident of. For handguns, at least, he won't be able to legally release them to you, friend or not.
Getting a new license may still not make things easy. For example, in my state, a new license can't be used for firearms transactions withing thirty days of issue.

Interesting, I was wondering about that. I'll research it a bit. My plan is actually to get my alaska drivers license the day I get there or early the next day so I can establish residence so I can hunt next year as a resident.

At the same time though, if I have to fly out To the bush without my guns, that's a problem.

I'm actually at this point thinking of just leaving my 22 behind and buying one up there.

So long as there's no problem with the license.

I seem to recall reading here about an AK-WA ferry during the warm weather months.

You can ship them to yourself in care of another person. That person cannot open the package, but has to just hold it for you until you arrive. You don't need to involve an FFL. At least under Federal law. Here is a quote from ATF's FAQ:

"Any person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in the care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner “in the care of” the out-of-State resident. Upon reaching its destination, persons other than the owner must not open the package or take possession of the firearm."

Or package them and ship them to yourself? Have your FFL buddy hold the package and ship it when you get to destination?