Mike T.

My understanding is:


If your brother-in-law is out of state, you have to go through the FFL route.


You can check the pistol if you put it in a locked hard-cased container and then pack the container in your locked suitcase. You will then have to notify the airline at check in. The airline will have to physically check the pistol to make sure it is not loaded, so be prepared to unpack it out of your luggage (in other words, make sure the underwear in your bag is clean). Including even one round of ammo in the luggage is a very big no-no. Whether or not you are violating state law wherever you are going by carrying a suitcase with a gun in it after landing is a totally different matter altogether.


Finally, it is not a legal defense to any gun violation that you were following the advice of someone on the internet.


Good luck.