Question - Flying, TSA, Minnesota

[colbycheese]

Hey all,

This is my first post here. I've been following the USA carry Twitter feed and Google+ page for a while. I just bought my first pistol for CC on Friday (Ruger LC9) so I thought I better join the forum.

I plan on traveling from North Carolina to my old stomping grounds in northern Iowa for the holidays. My Delta flight will start in Raleigh, NC, connect in Detroit, and arrive in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Once I arrive in Minneapolis I will be traveling by car to Iowa. I plan on traveling with my gun, and I've been reading up on what I need to do. So far I plan to use my hard-sided, lockable (key-only) pistol case that will be secured inside of my checked luggage, and for which only I will have a key. The checked bag will be further locked with TSA locks. I will do as directed and declare my weapon at the Delta counter, and go from there. I will not be transporting any ammunition, but plan on purchasing some when I get to my hometown.

Here is my question. I was wondering if anybody knows of any rules or laws in the State of Minnesota (or Michigan if a flight get's cancelled) that I should know about, other than the fact that Minnesota and North Carolina do not have CCW permit reciprocity (Iowa, my destination, does though).

Thoughts?

Any advice for flying w/ gun advice?

Edit: My reason for this post is hearing stories about people getting arrested in states like New York for taking possession of their pistol at the airport. Since this will be my first time flying w/ a gun, I'd like to avoid that.

Edit #2: I re-wrote this post to clarify my question a bit in response to AmericanGunSafety. Thanks for pointing out possible confusion.

 

[BigBlue10EM]

Can't help for flying but I can help with the MN laws. If you don't have a MN permit to carry the pistol has to be unloaded and secured in a case when transporting it in a vehicle. Other than that I don't think there's much you have to worry about if your just driving south to Iowa.

 

[AmericanGunSafety]

I'm sure I don't know the answer you're looking for but I've read the question a few times today while checking to see if you got an answer. Possibly others are confused like me and can't follow the question. I think.......you're flying "TO" Minneapolis/St. Paul with a possible layover in Detroit and you're worried about claiming your bags there if stranded. You then asked if we know the laws of Minnesota. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking you want to know the laws of Michigan since you were already flying to Minnesota anyway and Michigan would be where you would unexpectedly regain possession of your firearm. Perhaps this could be why you haven't received an answer. Hope this helps.

 

[colbycheese]

I'm sure I don't know the answer you're looking for but I've read the question a few times today while checking to see if you got an answer. Possibly others are confused like me and can't follow the question. I think.......you're flying "TO" Minneapolis/St. Paul with a possible layover in Detroit and you're worried about claiming your bags there if stranded. You then asked if we know the laws of Minnesota. I may be wrong, but I'm thinking you want to know the laws of Michigan since you were already flying to Minnesota anyway and Michigan would be where you would unexpectedly regain possession of your firearm. Perhaps this could be why you haven't received an answer. Hope this helps.

I edited the original post to clarify. Thanks for pointing out some possible confusion.

 

[colbycheese]

Here's my follow-up:

Everything went smoothly. I checked in at Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and declared a firearm to the Delta attendant. She said "Great! Sign this unloaded weapon declaration, then head over to over-sized baggage for inspection". I did as instructed. There a TSA guy checked me in, then a person with a badge unzipped the suitcase, did the bomb-detection swab check on the inside of the suitcase, and made sure the case was locked. Everything was fine, and he also used a zip tie to keep the bag closed. When I showed up at Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) the bag showed up alongside everyone else's bag in baggage claim.

On my return trip, I wasn't allowed to check in early, and had to check in at the "special luggage" counter, or whatever Delta called it. There, a gentlemen check my wife and I in, then escorted me to a baggage screening area where they sent my bag/gun through a large X-ray machine. A guy at the other end gave a thumbs up, and the man who escorted me said we are good to go. My bag showed up in Raleigh without a problem.

The whole process took, at most, an extra 10 minutes at the check-in for both flights. Also, the Delta employees that helped me on both legs of the trip did so in a friendly manner without the least bit of hesitation. They must do it a lot. Depending on the state to which I'm flying, I'll definitely be flying with my CCW in the future.

 

[John Betancourt]

Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration
Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps - USA Carry
I always recommend to take the time to PRINT pertinent info that impact your plans and travels. Count on NOBODY knowing the rules and regulations, not even LEOs. That is how many rules we have and how often they change. Even the people payed to regulate and enforce cannot keep up with it. You'll want it in print to show why and how your rights are being infringed.....Trust me on this one.