Fly with a pistol?

[Leadthrower]

Hello all,

I am flying to pickup my newest pistol and I was wondering if anyone has had any problems flying with a pistol in their checked luggage? Any Horror stories to warn me about doing so? Should I just mail it to myself?

Thanks for any help,

Leadthrower
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[GoingQuiet]

I've never had a problem - but bear in mind that MAILING A PISTOL IF YOU ARE NOT AN FFL IS ILLEGAL.

Just declare it and make sure you are in compliance with TSA / Airline policy. Oddly - I had no problems getting in and out of San Jose with my 1911 (Wilson 47D's don't need to be broken down to rebuilds!)

[DaveFJ80]

From all of the threads you see on here, and from my own personal experience flying with my Glock numerous times, it really depends on the airport (TSA & baggage handlers) and the airlines (lost or delayed bags) you are going through.

I don't like flying in or out of LAX with my Glock, but no problems out of SNA or ONT. Flying into ORD was a pain one time, but flying into DFW is never a problem (the 2 main places I go to for work).

[chim-chim7]

I've never had a problem - but bear in mind that MAILING A PISTOL IF YOU ARE NOT AN FFL IS ILLEGAL.

Just declare it and make sure you are in compliance with TSA / Airline policy. Oddly - I had no problems getting in and out of San Jose with my 1911 (Wilson 47D's don't need to be broken down to rebuilds!)

Total FUD. Federal law allows a person to ship to themselves at another address. It's not illegal at all. Trying to convince Fedex or UPS of their own policies is the hard part. Most people don't have a problem, others have not been so lucky when the person at the counter doesn't know the laws and refuses to help.

[Old4eyes]

Check out this youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGjddG5Owsc

[theneko]

Agreed - its not that hard. Just have the TSA and airline rules printed out and take them with you. Be ready for the ticket agent to not always know the procedure. Be patient and take extra time. The only concern I have is losing the bag. Once my bag didn't appear one time at SFO and they told me it was going to BELIZE! I told them there was a firearm in it and they never retrieved a bag so fast...

[morrcarr67]

I've never had a problem - but bear in mind that MAILING A PISTOL IF YOU ARE NOT AN FFL IS ILLEGAL.

Just declare it and make sure you are in compliance with TSA / Airline policy. Oddly - I had no problems getting in and out of San Jose with my 1911 (Wilson 47D's don't need to be broken down to rebuilds!)

Total FUD. Federal law allows a person to ship to themselves at another address. It's not illegal at all. Trying to convince Fedex or UPS of their own policies is the hard part. Most people don't have a problem, others have not been so lucky when the person at the counter doesn't know the laws and refuses to help.

chim-chim7 read GoingQuiet's post again.

Mailing something involves using the USPS. And, it is illegal for someone who is not a FFL holder to MAIL a handgun.

It is however OK to SHIP yourself a handgun. When SHIPPING a handgun you will need to use a COMMON CARRIER like UPS or Fedex and follow their rules. Like you mentioned somethimes the people behind the desk don't know their own rules so it is best to print them out and have them with you.

[9mmepiphany]

I've flown with a handgun...usually Southwest or Continential...several times when I taught a lot and never had a problem.

I usually just make sure it is in a lockable hardcase, get to check-in early (because you can't carry-on or check-in at the curb) as the line might be long and declare that I have a gun to the counter person and fill out the card. You'll also have to standby while they hand carry it to TSA in case they'd like you to open it for them to inspect. Don't go through TSA screening before they have cleared your luggage.

Which airports are you flying through?

[tacticalcity]

I do it all the time. With both handguns and ARs. I take courses out of state.

Have a lockable hard case. Visit the airline's website for specific rules that airline has. Some allow x amount of ammo, others allow y amount. Traveling without the ammo eliminates this issue but that is not always an option. If you are taking a course you will not be allowed to bring all that ammo with you. At most you'll be allowed to bring a couple boxes. Some have additional rules above and beyond that required by the FAA, others just run with the guidelines established by the FAA.

When you enter the airport, go directly to your airline's ticket counter and check in your baggage. Tell the clerk you have one back containing a firearm and you need it inspected by TSA. Here in California, expect them to either be way over cautious or completely clueless. They see it a lot less often here than in other states. The might escort you to a private room to inspect the gun. It is no big deal.

They will inspect the firearm to make sure it is unloaded. I store mine with the slide locked to rear and the magazine released. Since I started doing that they just look into the box, have me sign a form, put it inside the box, lock it, and let me go on my way. When I had the slide forward it was a tad more awkward of a process. Sometimes they cleared it, other times they had me clear it. The tension level in the room was always much higher.

Keep your key to the case in your front pocket. If they screw up in the inspection process or a supervisor wants another look they will call you back to the counter to unlock the case. This happens to me about 1/3 of the time.

All of that makes it sound like a much bigger headache than it is. Visit your airlines website, print out their rules. Follow them to the letter. Keep the key to the box on you at all times. Then you will be fine.

Kind of a fun story. Last year my cousin and I were returning from a trip to Front Sight, a school in Nevada. Being a gun friendly state they just whip out the gun and do the inspection process right there at the ticket counter. Only their passengers are from all over the place. So not all of them are accustomed to seeing guns. Many have only seen them in movies. When they had me whip out my Glock 19 and demonstrate that it was clear right there in line I was happy to do so. Mean while this young mother and her young five year old son are immediately behind me in line. The mother tensed up and pulled her son close to her side. The little boy just stared up at me wide eyed with his mouth gaping open. I winked at him and and smiled trying to put him at ease. I felt bad for scaring his mom. The little boy's grin was priceless. I mean it was ear to ear. He thought I was the coolest guy he had ever seen. His mom might hate guns...but that little guy is going to be a gun owner for sure.

[skale240]

The first time I flew out of San Diego it was a breeze. TSA and the airline seemed to follow all the steps and procedures in their own guidelines. The past 2 times I flew out of SD with Southwest have been a pain. Both times they've asked for my key and was told TSA would check them in the back. I refused and made a big deal about it. I even showed the printouts of both TSA and Southwests guidelines and procedures. Both times I was told TSA was too busy to come out and check it in front of me. Their response...give us the key or you'll have to wait until they are not busy which possibly could prevent you from missing your flight. I gave it to them only if the Southwest supervisor would agree to watch them check it in the back. Flying back to San Diego from Boise, I asked the TSA agent his fellow TSA agents in SD were following procedure, his was response was to file a complaint about it and that they aren't doing their jobs correctly.

[GoingQuiet]

Total FUD. Federal law allows a person to ship to themselves at another address. It's not illegal at all. Trying to convince Fedex or UPS of their own policies is the hard part. Most people don't have a problem, others have not been so lucky when the person at the counter doesn't know the laws and refuses to help.

I said mail - you said ship. Two entirely different issues at hand. The post office is very clear on transporting firearms.

[jeep7081]

So the lock box has to have a key? No keypad? You bring the box with you on the plane?

[paul0660]

The first time I flew out of San Diego it was a breeze. TSA and the airline seemed to follow all the steps and procedures in their own guidelines. The past 2 times I flew out of SD with Southwest have been a pain. Both times they've asked for my key and was told TSA would check them in the back. I refused and made a big deal about it. I even showed the printouts of both TSA and Southwests guidelines and procedures. Both times I was told TSA was too busy to come out and check it in front of me. Their response...give us the key or you'll have to wait until they are not busy which possibly could prevent you from missing your flight. I gave it to them only if the Southwest supervisor would agree to watch them check it in the back. Flying back to San Diego from Boise, I asked the TSA agent his fellow TSA agents in SD were following procedure, his was response was to file a complaint about it and that they aren't doing their jobs correctly.

Same thing happened to me in SAN. I requested a LEO, and two airport cops came, I gave them the key, and were back in 5 minutes. It still isn't legal, but it is better than letting the TSA, who are civilians, do it.

BTW the red card does not go in the gun case, it is stuck to the outside.........lets them know it has been screened.

Also, you lock your gun case with YOUR lock, the suitcase it is in with your TSA lock. Otherwise they say they can bust into the suitcase for secondary inspection and cut your lock.

[Can't buy anything here]

Nevermind...I thought someone using a fly swatter got shot....

[Doheny]

The below thread is from GlockTalk and is a pretty good explanation of how to carry on a plane (in checked baggage.)

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384

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