Treavel Cin-Dener-Phoenix. I have Cin and Florida permit. I can carry in Az, but not in Colorado. Does this effect the transport of a handgun while I await the next flight? I have printed and read all TSA and the airlines guidelines but nothing is mentioned. My thinking if the weapon is secure there and I don't have access to it it does not matter. Is this correct? Lastly, I have heard of travelers locking their cases securely to there check-in luggage. Would it not be so obvious and better to have it checked then place in suitcase? Seems if it gets a special tag it would be obvious. TSA allows small box of ammo in the same case if in original container. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Layover in state in which I do not have a conceal carry permit- is that even an issue
- Thread starter Falkner35
- Start date
Unloaded pistol goes inside a hard sided gun case. Most airlines allow ammunition to be in the same pistol case as the gun but some do not. I transport the gun with the slide locked back and empty magazines out of the gun so it is easy to show up on x-ray as unloaded and a 20 round box of ammo in the corner of the gun case. The pistol case gets locked with locks that only you have the key or combination to, and those locks will only be opened by you (Federal regulation requirement). The pistol case goes inside your suitcase which will then be checked in at baggage. Your suitcase can be locked with a TSA lock if you desire, if you put a non TSA lock on your suitcase, TSA will be more than happy to test their bolt cutters on it.
You will go to the manned baggage check-in counter and tell the clerk that you have an unloaded firearm in your luggage to declare. They will give you a tag to sign. They might ask you to show them the unloaded gun, but probably not. You sign the tag, and it goes inside your suitcase somewhere near the gun case. Your suitcase, which looks just like every other suitcase goes to TSA where they run it through x-ray, they see an unloaded gun in a gun case with locks on it and see a tag - all inside your suitcase via xray. You check your luggage all the way to your final destination and at your final destination your suitcase pops out on the carousel with all the other luggage.
The only problem you will have with possession during a layover is if you take possession of your luggage in a state that does not allow you to legally possess that firearm, especially if you are flying out of that state the next day because once you claim and take possession your luggage, you have to declare the gun again at baggage check-in. In a situation like that, ask the airline to forward your luggage for you so you never take possession of it and live out of a carry on for one night. Colorado allows possession of handguns and their magazine capacity laws are not much to worry about.
The reason you want the gun case inside a regular suitcase is so the suitcase it is in looks like every other suitcase and there is nothing to indicate there is a firearm inside. Some people lock the gun case to the inside of the suitcase to make it more difficult to get into the suitcase and walk off with the gun case.
You will go to the manned baggage check-in counter and tell the clerk that you have an unloaded firearm in your luggage to declare. They will give you a tag to sign. They might ask you to show them the unloaded gun, but probably not. You sign the tag, and it goes inside your suitcase somewhere near the gun case. Your suitcase, which looks just like every other suitcase goes to TSA where they run it through x-ray, they see an unloaded gun in a gun case with locks on it and see a tag - all inside your suitcase via xray. You check your luggage all the way to your final destination and at your final destination your suitcase pops out on the carousel with all the other luggage.
The only problem you will have with possession during a layover is if you take possession of your luggage in a state that does not allow you to legally possess that firearm, especially if you are flying out of that state the next day because once you claim and take possession your luggage, you have to declare the gun again at baggage check-in. In a situation like that, ask the airline to forward your luggage for you so you never take possession of it and live out of a carry on for one night. Colorado allows possession of handguns and their magazine capacity laws are not much to worry about.
The reason you want the gun case inside a regular suitcase is so the suitcase it is in looks like every other suitcase and there is nothing to indicate there is a firearm inside. Some people lock the gun case to the inside of the suitcase to make it more difficult to get into the suitcase and walk off with the gun case.
desertrat12
New member
Well said LCDR, if I might add, first- ask the TSA agent if they will take a look at the empty chamber to verify that it is empty. There is a disturbing trend with TSA to "...take your word on this fact" followed by another trend of firearms discharging at various stages of transport. Second, if you are delayed by weather, forwarding luggage may not be an option, so consider possible states of diversion, and check their laws- particularly mags & capacity. In some states, even though the firearm is secured and you are supposed to be protected under the McClure-Volkmer Act, there are states that won't let this law get in the way of their agendas.
Good luck, and safe traveling.
I can't agree with that. I won't invite an agent of the government to needlessly handle my firearm nor advise anyone else to. Just my personal opinion. There is no requirement in regulations for anyone other than the passenger to verify the gun is unloaded, but the regulations do allow the airline and TSA to verify the gun is unloaded if they desire to. A suitable alternative to your suggestion would be to suggest using a chamber flag. Once the gun is locked in the case - if the passenger insists that the government and airlines follows the Federal regulations, the passenger will always be present to unlock the gun case themselves if it is inspected for any reason. The best situation occurs when the gun case is locked before it is delivered to the airline and never gets unlocked until the passenger has it at their destination.
OUTTAHERE
New member
I recall a case from a couple of years ago like this. A man with a CCL was traveling with his gun in his checked luggage. He landed in NY and had to spend the night so he had to recheck his bag the next day. When he declared that he had a gun in his luggage it was game over. Arrested for illegal possession of a firearm in NY. So it is imperative that you plan your trip extremely well ahead of time so that something like this doesn't happen, even if you've planned for it not to happen. The previous suggestion of checking your luggage all the way through to your destination seems very prudent in case you do have to have an unplanned layover where your gun is not welcome and you'll be in big trouble.
desertrat12
New member
When I said to ask the TSA agent to verify a clear chamber, I do not hand the firearm to the Agent, the firearm is presented in such a manner that they can see the clear chamber- the only prints I want on that arm are mine so if anything does happen there will be a 'clean slate' for prints. Additionally, this all serves as secondary check that the lock actually is.
I like the chamber flag idea- have you run into any problems with this?
'...passenger insists that the government and airlines follows the Federal regulations...' as a disabled traveler, My experiences are that the ACAA, CFR & USC seem to be more 'guidelines' than law. I had a suit case with a declared firearm searched by TSA after it entered into the dispatching sequence, but the pistol lock was undisturbed, nor had it been shimmed, as the contents were in the specific areas and directions that they left in at check in.
The next time I travel with a sidearm I'll try your ideas, I know my wife will appreciate it. You may get a Thank You email from her! LOL!
Treo
Bullet Proof
I don't understand where you the weapon and the TSA agent are in the same place at the same time
If you're that freaked stick a radio opaque chamber flag (so it shows up on xray) in the gun and call it good
The gun will be in your checked luggage. You will not carry on under any civilian circumstance. Since the gun is in the checked luggage and was accepted by the carrier at your point of departure, there should be no problems.
I've done the same as you are. My layover was a couple of hours in Chicago en-rout from Florida to PA. Didn't have any issue.
Now if you have to take possession of your checked baggage, that's a whole different story. Then the transport/ownership regulations of that particular state kick in. Here is a link to a quick reference for Colorado.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/colorado.pdf
I've done the same as you are. My layover was a couple of hours in Chicago en-rout from Florida to PA. Didn't have any issue.
Now if you have to take possession of your checked baggage, that's a whole different story. Then the transport/ownership regulations of that particular state kick in. Here is a link to a quick reference for Colorado.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/colorado.pdf
All this chatter about letting or not letting the TSA or any other authority do an empty chamber check, strikes me.
Do you guys actually put your gun on checked baggage without a barrel cable lock on the gun? Maybe I'm paranoid (or it could be that I've had stuff stolen out of my checked luggage already) but when that gun is out of my personal possession, I want it as secured as possible. When mine goes into the lock box, in my checked bag, it already has a trigger lock and a barrel cable lock on it.
Do you guys actually put your gun on checked baggage without a barrel cable lock on the gun? Maybe I'm paranoid (or it could be that I've had stuff stolen out of my checked luggage already) but when that gun is out of my personal possession, I want it as secured as possible. When mine goes into the lock box, in my checked bag, it already has a trigger lock and a barrel cable lock on it.
njlungbuster
Member
I'm 100% new to the site as of today, however I do travel a lot for work and have brought my firearms on multiple flights, with multiple airlines, to multiple cities across the country. Anyone can bring a firearm on a plane as long as its DECLARED to the airline when you check in. If it is not declared you WILL get in a lot of trouble so be sure to tell the airline. They will fill out a tag that will go in the case with the gun and thats how they determine its been declared. Then, depending on the airport, they will have you carry the case to tsa directly for them to check it in or they will have someone from tsa come get it. However, either way, you will most likely have to stay with tsa until its xrayed(at least all my experiences), then youll be on your way. At no time, until you land and collect your bags, should you even hear a peep about it.
So all that being said, the fact that you possess a ccw really has no affect on air travel because its not needed. And I dont want to discourage you at all because it hasnt stopped me, but pray that your gun(pistol or rifle or shotgun) doesnt get stolen in transit because it happened to a very close friend and not only did he lose his rob lathem custom 1911 that spent the better part of a decade with him in his unit, but the paperwork nightmare that went with it was enough to kill a man. Police reports in every city that you land in plus federal stuff. Yuck.
For the future, I promise I wont post long responses lol.
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So all that being said, the fact that you possess a ccw really has no affect on air travel because its not needed. And I dont want to discourage you at all because it hasnt stopped me, but pray that your gun(pistol or rifle or shotgun) doesnt get stolen in transit because it happened to a very close friend and not only did he lose his rob lathem custom 1911 that spent the better part of a decade with him in his unit, but the paperwork nightmare that went with it was enough to kill a man. Police reports in every city that you land in plus federal stuff. Yuck.
For the future, I promise I wont post long responses lol.
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Oh hey! This isn't a long post. Good information. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the site.
njlungbuster
Member
That was long? Lol well it tired me out typing it, so its long enough.
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Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
njlungbuster
Member
Btw, another great tip that I tell everyone, put stickers like fishing companies or music stuff on your gun case. It'll be less likely for someone to want to break into it and try and steal your gun if it's something of no interest.
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Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2
None of my guns have ever had any locks on the guns themselves. If someone is going to steal a gun from checked baggage, they are not going to take the time to pry open the gun case there at the airport and steal only the gun. A thief would have to be completely mentally challenged to do that. They are going to take the gun case and leave most expiditiously to a location where they can work on prying open the gun case in relative privacy and safety. I can see maybe locking the gun case to the inside of the suitcase.
I just put the gun in the case with the slide locked back. Like you, my outer suitcase was searched with the note from TSA inside it, but the gun case was undisturbed. I'm just not going to handle the gun or gun case at all at the airport unless they make a lawful request for me to do so.
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