First Time Flying with Firearm

[gtk10583]

I have a CCW permit in NC and will be flying domestic out of Denver Int'l airport. I will be checking my handgun in my luggage at the Southwest counter in Denver. Can anyone offer me some tips to avoid any problems? I don't expect any but I feel its best to ask if anyone has had a good/bad experience flying out of Denver with a fire arm.

 

[gfrlaser]

I was nervous the first time too. It turned out be such a non-issue. Just have the weapon secured in a hard case, with your lock on it.

How to Avoid Hassles When Flying With Guns on a Commercial Airline

 

[NavyLCDR]

Pretty good article linked above. The only thing I noticed was the mention of an "airline approved case". There is no such thing as an "airline approved" or "TSA approved" case because the airlines nor TSA "approve" cases prior to them being sold at retail. The case either meets the requirements or it doesn't. If the advertising for a case says "airline approved" or "TSA approved" it is just an advertising gimick to jack the price up.

 

[Stengun]

Howdy,

I was nervous the first time too. It turned out be such a non-issue. Just have the weapon secured in a hard case, with your lock on it.

How to Avoid Hassles When Flying With Guns on a Commercial Airline

I flew to Alaska last summer on vacation and took my Glock 23. I too was a little nervous about getting through TSA but it was a piece of cake.

My only advice is when you get to the counter have your cased handgun INSIDE your luggage and tell the ticket ageant that you have an item to declare. Mine asked if it was a gun. I said "Yes".

Never, and I mean NEVER say "I have a gun" inside the airport.

Going and coming I never said the works "Gun, handgun, firearm, pistol, gat, shooter, or any other word that I thought might suggest I had a gun until it was out of my possession.

I bought a TSA approved case of of Amazon, placed the Glock, a 13rd mag and a 15rd mag and a 50 box of ammo in the case. It was a lockable case, no padlock, and then place a small TSA approve lock on my suitcase.

Paul

 

[Firefighterchen]

Good information so far. The last 20 times I've flown it took no more than 10 minutes to check in.

Walked up to counter, told them I'm checking in. Gave them my ID. They asked how many bags, I told them one bag to check on and I'm declaring a firearm. They said okay fill out this slip (usually orange or yellow), place it on top of the box that has the firearm, is it empty? I replied, yes, and put the slip on top of the box. Took a picture of my suitcase, zipped it up, took another picture, handed it over. They asked for me to stand to the side until TSA could swab my bag. TSA showed up, swabbed my zippers, cleared the swab in their machine, and said have a nice flight.

The two airports I mainly fly through, PSC and SLC have the TSA person that swabbed my bag take my bag through xray and then deliver it to the plane themselves. I think that good practice for an airport, keeps people accountable.

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[kcmcdo66]

I fly with my gun several times a week. As Firefighterchen said most times there are no problems and it goes just as quickly as checking in without a gun. The policies are fairly simple, but the logistics of how they are implemented vary drastically from airport to airport, and sometime like in Detroit can even vary between terminals. Most of these airports and their baggage areas were built long before airport security and the TSA, so they each have to adapt their process around their facility. I have not flown out of Denver, so I cannot offer any insight into how it is done there.

I prefer when it is done as noted above in Salt Lake City where you are present when it is inspected by TSA. That way you can unlock the case if required and know you are good to go once the inspection is through. Unfortunately it isn't that way everywhere. At airports where they just send your bag back to TSA and it is inspected in the baggage area without you present, I get called back to open the case more often flying with a metal case than I used to when I flew with a plastic case. I seem to run into more places lately where I cannot carry, so I started using the safe from my car as my travel case and then I have it to lock my gun up in the rental car. If you fly through an airport that does this just listen in case they page you on the PA system. Even in these situations it is generally nothing more than giving them the key so they can unlock the case and confirm it is unloaded, or with a metal case that it is just a gun and not something else you are hiding from the xray.

I suspect you already have, but read up on the TSA and airline policy. Some of the ticket agents know just enough to be dangerous. If they want you to put the signed declaration card inside the locked case, I woul insist on signing a second card that is left outside the case. I was once called back to security and met with police because the card was in the case and they had no way of knowing I had properly declared the unloaded firearm.

Enjoy you trip.

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[Firefighterchen]

Even in these situations it is generally nothing more than giving them the key so they can unlock the case and confirm it is unloaded, or with a metal case that it is just a gun and not something else you are hiding from the xray.

(c)*In checked baggage.*A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under §1562.23 of this chapter:

(1) Any loaded firearm(s).

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—

(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;

(ii) The firearm is unloaded;

(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and

(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...9.1.3.5.9;idno=49;cc=ecfr#49:9.1.3.5.9.1.10.3

It's against federal law to allow tsa or the airliners to have your key or combo. Never give them the key, only the owner may open the box.

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[mojoman]

Awesome guys, I will be flying out of WA to N.C. the first of the month.

 

[kcmcdo66]

You are absolutely correct, the way the law is written you are not supposed to allow the TSA agent to have the keys. In reality this is done at airports all across the country every day.

My main concern is getting to my destination on time and with my bags and firearm. I have made and will continue to make the conscious decision to break this law by consenting to give them my key. I justify doing so by estimating my chances of any sort of prosecution for breaking this law are considerably less than the chance of missing my flight or arriving at my destination without my bag.

There are way too many ways to end up delayed or with lost baggage without creating more just so I can be right.


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[Nightmare45]

Easy as pie, actually fly with throw down a lots because of the speed through check in.

 

[Firefighterchen]

You are absolutely correct, the way the law is written you are not supposed to allow the TSA agent to have the keys. In reality this is done at airports all across the country every day.

My main concern is getting to my destination on time and with my bags and firearm. I have made and will continue to make the conscious decision to break this law by consenting to give them my key. I justify doing so by estimating my chances of any sort of prosecution for breaking this law are considerably less than the chance of missing my flight or arriving at my destination without my bag.

There are way too many ways to end up delayed or with lost baggage without creating more just so I can be right.


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If that's your educated choice I can't argue with it, its far better to knowingly break a law than ignorantly breaking one.

I have only been called back once on my first hard case. One of the latches broke, I had to meet tsa and open the box to show the firearm was empty. The supervisor asked for my key, which I replied I would open it, so they brought the box to me. He said he will let me fly home this time since he couldn't pry the box open due to the other latches, but next time I flew through that airport I would need a better box.

So while my experience was limited to one time, it delayed me an extra minute for them to bring the box out from their room behind the counter.

It also allowed me to relax because I locked the box back up, instead of wondering if they forgot to or not.

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[gtk10583]

Thanks for all the great info on this! I'm pretty clear now on what to expect with regards to declaring a firearm in my checked luggage. Now just one more question regarding declaring ammo: I am going to store the ammo in the original box I bought it in. My firearm is in a SEPARATE locked box in my luggage. I plan to simply place the ammo box in between my socks and t-shirts. The luggage will be locked on the outside with a TSA lock. Is this sufficient, or does the ammo also need to be in its own locked box like the handgun?

 

[Firefighterchen]

Thanks for all the great info on this! I'm pretty clear now on what to expect with regards to declaring a firearm in my checked luggage. Now just one more question regarding declaring ammo: I am going to store the ammo in the original box I bought it in. My firearm is in a SEPARATE locked box in my luggage. I plan to simply place the ammo box in between my socks and t-shirts. The luggage will be locked on the outside with a TSA lock. Is this sufficient, or does the ammo also need to be in its own locked box like the handgun?

That is fine. I keep my magazines loaded and inside the lock box, not in the firearm, with an extra box of ammo stuffed inside my clothes as well.

Just remember, the lock box can not have a tsa lock on it, the suitcase can. You sound good to go. You are going to chuckle when you get to security after you realize how easy it is.

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[NavyLCDR]

Thanks for all the great info on this! I'm pretty clear now on what to expect with regards to declaring a firearm in my checked luggage. Now just one more question regarding declaring ammo: I am going to store the ammo in the original box I bought it in. My firearm is in a SEPARATE locked box in my luggage. I plan to simply place the ammo box in between my socks and t-shirts. The luggage will be locked on the outside with a TSA lock. Is this sufficient, or does the ammo also need to be in its own locked box like the handgun?

Ammo is not required to be in a locked container.

49 CFR 175.10:
§175.10 Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators.
(a) This subchapter does not apply to the following hazardous materials when carried by aircraft passengers or crewmembers provided the requirements of §§171.15 and 171.16 (see paragraph (c) of this section) and the requirements of this section are met8) Small arms ammunition for personal use carried by a crewmember or passenger in checked baggage only, if securely packed in boxes or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition clips and magazines must also be securely boxed. This paragraph does not apply to persons traveling under the provisions of 49 CFR 1544.219.

 

[kcmcdo66]

As long as the ammo is in the original package you are fine. There are no additional storage requirements. I put mine in my shoe to help protect the box.

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[Stengun]

Howdy,

After you check your bag it goes bye-bye but when you get to where ever you are going you pick it up in baggage claim like all other luggage without going through TSA or anyone else again.

Do whatever they tell you to do at the counter and every thing will be fine and go smoothly.

Just remember.......... Never and I mean NEVER say "I have a gun." especially in a loud tone of voice.

Paul

 

[Firefighterchen]

Do whatever they tell you to do at the counter and every thing will be fine and go smoothly.

Except don't give them the key or combo...the most common law broken without realizing it.

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[mojoman]

Now I'm planning on flying with United Airline and looking at their policy it said that I can put the ammo in the case with the firearm. So are you guys reading the same.




Firearms
United accepts one item of shooting equipment per customer as checked baggage. One item of shooting equipment is defined as one hard-sided shooting equipment case containing up to five firearms, with or without scopes, up to 11 lbs. (5 kg) of ammunition, and articles used in the firearm sport.
Firearms will be accepted only from a customer who is 18 years of age or older.

International firearm regulations vary by destination and transiting country. Contact appropriate consulates or embassies to obtain specific entry requirements applicable to destination(s). Firearms are not accepted to and from Bahrain, Denmark, Israel, Nigeria, Qatar and Turkey.
For travel to and from the United Kingdom, pistols, rifles and shotguns must be packed in a hard-sided rifle case.
Customers traveling to or through Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) with checked firearms/ammunition must obtain permission from the Netherlands Consulate/Embassy in their country of origin prior to departure. Weapons are subject to confiscation in Amsterdam unless the owner can show all required permits. Customers traveling on military orders with checked firearms may do so without prior consent from Dutch Customs. Checked military ammunition is forbidden.


Customers traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) with checked firearms and/or ammunition must be in possession of a gun import license or a temporary transportation permit, which must be certified and validated by a Guatemalan Consulate. Customers traveling with checked firearms and/or ammunition through Guatemala City do not require a permit as long as their bag does not leave the airport controlled area. Customers must ensure they have all the necessary documents required at their final destination.



Curbside check-in of a firearm is not permitted.
The firearm must be packaged in a hard-sided container capable of being locked. The container must be locked and the key or combination must remain in the customer's possession. If a hard-sided container is needed, see the container section of this site.
Handguns must be packed in hard-sided lockable luggage. Baggage containing handguns must be locked at the time of acceptance by United Airlines and the key or combination retained in the passenger's custody.



The firearm will be transported in a section of the aircraft that is inaccessible to the customer. Proof of registration is not required.
Firearms carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.
No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container. Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement.

First or second checked bag service charges may apply.

Note: Customer must sign a Firearm Declaration Tag.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Now I'm planning on flying with United Airline and looking at their policy it said that I can put the ammo in the case with the firearm. So are you guys reading the same.

Yes, as long as the ammunition is also "packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement."

If you are going to use loaded magazines to transport the ammunition, the magazines need to be in a pouch the covers the open end. Personally, I just use a factory original box of 20 rounds in the corner of the pistol case with 2 unloaded magazines none inserted in the gun and the slide locked back. Makes it very easy for them to see the gun is unloaded on xray.

 

[mojoman]

Okay thank you NavyLCDR.