Traveling through JFK airport with a firearm in my checked baggage?

I'm flying out of JFK with a handgun in my checked bag, or at least I think I will once I hear y'all responses. I have heard horror stories about people getting arrested at the airport for not having a NYC permit. I DO NOT have an NYC permit, I live in PA and have my PA and FL Permit, only traveling through JFK airport, not staying in NYC. Does anyone have any expertise or experience doing this.

As long as it stays in your checked bag, it's fine. Your bag will be moved to your connecting flight without any problems. If you do not leave the airport, it will be fine. Since it technically is unlawful and they can arrest you if anyone finds out and is that high strung about it, next time you may want to consider choosing another connecting flight.

What do you mean by "only traveling through JFK airport."
If you mean that you are checking it at JFK, you will may be arrested. That's how they operate there.
If you mean that you are checking in at an airport in PA and changing planes at JFK, then you should be fine as long as you don't run into a situation where your connection is cancelled and you have to collect your bags for the night and recheck in. People have been arrested at NY/NJ airports for that exact same scenario.

"Special advisory for New York & New Jersey airports: Despite federal law that protects travelers, authorities at JFK, La Guardia, Newark, and Albany airports have been known to enforce state and local firearm laws against airline travelers who are passing through their jurisdictions.
In some cases, even persons traveling in full compliance with federal law have been arrested or threatened with arrest. FOPA's protections have been substantially narrowed by court decisions in certain parts of the country, particularly in the Northeast. Persons traveling through New York and New Jersey airports may want to consider shipping their firearms to their final destinations rather than bringing them through airports in these jurisdictions."

"NEW YORK-Use extreme caution when traveling through New York with firearms. New York state's general approach is to make the possession of handguns and so-called "assault weapons" and "large capacity ammunition feeding devices" illegal and then provide exceptions that the accused may raise as "affirmative defenses" to prosecution in some cases. NY Penal Code s. 265.20(12), (13) & (16).

A number of localities, including Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Suffolk County, and Yonkers, impose their own requirements on the possession, registration, and transport of firearms. Possession of a handgun within New York City requires a New York City handgun license or a special permit from the city police commissioner validating a state license within the city. Even New York state licenses are generally not valid within New York City unless a specific exemption applies, such as when the New York City police commissioner has issued a special permit to the licensee or "the firearms covered by such license are being transported by the licensee in a locked container and the trip through the city of New York is continuous and uninterrupted." Possession of a shotgun or rifle within New York City requires a permit, which is available to non-residents, and a certificate of registration. "

Bad idea
Really bad idea
In order to get to JFK from PA you will have to transport your handgun through NYC.
You don't have a NYC permit that will allow you to do that.

Is your originating flight from PA? Or does your flight originate at JFK? If its the former, and you follow the rules and laws for traveling with a firearm, you are fine. If its the latter, you have a serious problem. As stated previously, if its the former and your connecting flight at JFK is cancelled, you have a problem

New York City has Very strict laws about guns in luggage. Ask your airline.