Flying and Transportation of Firearms.


towboater

towboater

New member
Has anyone had any experiences flying with firearms. I understand the TSAs rules. Understand the rules of the desired location. Just wondering how much of a pain it is, if it's safe for your firearms. Etc....
 

towboater said:
Has anyone had any experiences flying with firearms. I understand the TSAs rules. Understand the rules of the desired location. Just wondering how much of a pain it is, if it's safe for your firearms. Etc....
Click to expand...

yes they disrupt the airflow and makes your arms tired
 
Follow the rules, and you'll be good.

1. Make sure your weapon is legal in your departure point and destination point - and preferably in all connecting cities as well, just in case you end up stuck in a town you thought you were just going to pass through due to a delay in your first flight.

2. Pack your weapon following TSA guidelines.

3. Declare your weapon at the airline counter following TSA guidelines.

4. Enjoy your trip!
 
CharonPDX said:
Follow the rules, and you'll be good.

1. Make sure your weapon is legal in your departure point and destination point - and preferably in all connecting cities as well, just in case you end up stuck in a town you thought you were just going to pass through due to a delay in your first flight.

2. Pack your weapon following TSA guidelines.

3. Declare your weapon at the airline counter following TSA guidelines.

4. Enjoy your trip!
Click to expand...

^^This.

I flew from SC to NM with my .38 with no problems.
 
Call your local TSA office and get the guidelines. Don't just ask around because people that should know don't and tend to overinflate the requirements.
 
I read the TSA requirements. Just seeing if anyone had any experience with the process. My wife seems to think I'm paranoid for taking my gun with me.
 
As long as the firearm is declared, unloaded, well-packed, ammo is in a container that was intended for the safe transport of ammo (loose ammo isn't supposed to be just thrown into your suitcase/gun case as I saw so many times when I was with the TSA), and in checked baggage, you and your firearms should be just fine. I do recommend using a good quality hard case that can be secured using TSA approved locks.

EDIT - It has been nearly 7 years since I worked with the TSA, and my comment about using a TSA lock to secure a gun case was nagging at me, so I went back and checked on it. Do NOT use a TSA lock on a gun case. The lock on a gun case needs to be one to which only you have the key.
 
My one addition - if your plane is forced to land somewhere that your firearm is not legal (such as Boston, New York, Newark, or Chicago)...don't panic. By law there can be no mention of a firearm in your reservation or baggage records. So there will NOT be police waiting for you on the ground.

However - if you try to check the gun in your luggage the following day - you will be arrested.

The only viable solution is to determine the nearest airport where your gun is legal, rent a car, and drive to it. Drive slow and safe; don't get pulled over. Call the airline to redo your travel plans.
 
Phillip Gain said:
My one addition - if your plane is forced to land somewhere that your firearm is not legal (such as Boston, New York, Newark, or Chicago)...don't panic. By law there can be no mention of a firearm in your reservation or baggage records. So there will NOT be police waiting for you on the ground.

However - if you try to check the gun in your luggage the following day - you will be arrested.

The only viable solution is to determine the nearest airport where your gun is legal, rent a car, and drive to it. Drive slow and safe; don't get pulled over. Call the airline to redo your travel plans.
Click to expand...
.


Damn good idea
 
Be sure to check the airline Terms in ADDITION to the TSA

I flew JetBlue and while the TSA allows ammo and the firearm to be in the same locked container, JetBle requires separate containers.

Worth checking just in case.
 
ezkl2230 said:
I do recommend using a good quality hard case that can be secured using TSA approved locks.
Click to expand...

Using TSA approved locks violates the Federal regulations regarding the transportation of firearms in checked baggage. Regular, non-TSA locks that ONLY the owner of the firearm retains the combination/key to go on the hard sided gun case, in order to comply with 49 CFR 1540.11!

spdracr39 said:
Don't just ask around because people that should know don't and tend to overinflate the requirements.
Click to expand...

That is EXACTLY what you recommend that he do in your previous sentence!

spdracr39 said:
Call your local TSA office and get the guidelines.
Click to expand...

He is only going to get the person's opinion who answers the phone.
 
It really is not that hard:

Link Removed

Title 49: Transportation
§ 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.

(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.

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(d) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm. Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.
Click to expand...

The underlined part is what makes it against the regulation to use a TSA approved lock - lots of people would have the key to that, other than the passenger.
 
NavyLCDR said:
It really is not that hard:

Link Removed

Title 49: Transportation
§ 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.

(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.

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(d) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm. Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.
Click to expand...

The underlined part is what makes it against the regulation to use a TSA approved lock - lots of people would have the key to that, other than the passenger.
Click to expand...
.


Gotcha fine on that.
 
Allow 1/2 hour extra processing for checking in. Go to the baggage counter and talk to the counter person. Explain that you have an unloaded firearm in your checked baggage to declare. They will give you a declaration tag to sign and place in your luggage near the gun case. The non-TSA locks go on the gun case, not the luggage! They will escort you or take your baggage to TSA who will xray it and send it on it's way. Refuse to give anyone the key/combo to the lock on the gun case, if they want it opened, you open it. You can put a TSA lock on your luggage if you want. Your luggage will pop out at the carousel at your destination just like everyone else's.
 
Our local airport is installing body scanners this week. Looks like rental cars and driving to places from now on. Which is fine with me, my wife refuses to take our daughter through the machines. I side with her on that decision 100%.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 223 (members: 0, guests: 223)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
49,542
Messages
611,258
Members
74,964
Latest member
sigsag1

Share this page

Back
Top