I wont be flying the same airline the whole way through, so am fairly sure I'll need to clear customs.
Every time I've been through LAX I have needed to clear customs, especially if there is a gate change.
I can look to see if there is another airport I can transit through (SFO, JFK etc) but it would be nice to have some sort of permit that allows me to legally have position of a rifle in the USA, but as
@Bakwa said I think my 6NIA will be declined.
I did find this statement from the CBP which is very very vague. Says I don't need a 6NIA form but
may need a permit from the Department of Commerce or Department of State, I don't know why they would use the word
may here, either I do or I don't.
"Generally, if a non-citizen who is temporarily bringing firearm(s) and/or ammunition into the United States for reasons other than legitimate hunting or lawful sporting purposes is not required to have an ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D) application. For example, if a non-citizen will be driving through the United States as a short cut to get from one part of Canada to another and have a
firearm, the non-citizen does not need to file an ATF Form 6NIA because the non-citizen is not temporarily bringing the firearm in for hunting or other lawful sporting purposes.
However, the nonimmigrant alien may need to obtain a temporary import permit from the Department of Commerce or Department of State"
I guess I'll need to contact the Department of Commerce, or just phone the ATF.
