Flying with guns

[burair]

So I'm wondering how many of you have ever had their handgun checked in their luggage when traveling at the airport. Every time I fly home to visit, I hate not having access to my guns. I've never tried checking it in my baggage. I always fear that its gonna be too much of a hassle or I'll get crazy looks, or even worst case some baggage handler will steal it. I'm just wondering if anyone else has. Was it a fairly easy process or did you get hassled? Share your experiences if you have them.

[gotgunz]

It is a very easy process if you follow the rules.... see this thread for more info:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=122550&highlight=continental

or this one

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=120738&highlight=flying+sticky

[cineski]

Check with each airline, as they all have a variation of this:

Put your unloaded gun in a hard case, locked container. Locks should be either combo or keyed. Non-TSA. No loaded mags, but from what I understand, bullets in a cardboard container can be in with the gun. This case then goes into your luggage. Lock your luggage with a TSA lock. When you get to the counter, you must declare your firearm. You can literally say it like this: "I need to declare a firearm." They'll then start to ask you some questions. Some will require you to open your luggage, show them the gun, and they'll give you a bright red card that declares it's unloaded with your signature. They place that inside the gun case with the gun. From that point, it'll either be okay and you'll tell the x-ray people there's a gun, or they'll put it on the conveyor belt. If not, then just follow the agent's directions. Sometimes you'll have to lock the container up in your luggage, and a different agent will take your entire package into a back room where it'll be X-rayed again. You can either chose to leave it, or chose to stay there until that agent tells you it's okay. If you chose to leave it, and things aren't okay, the agent will try to get a hold of you via the phone # you put on the red card. If they can't get a hold of you, the gun will stay there. It's smart to just stay there until you get the go-ahead that the gun cleared and your luggage is on it's way.

[cineski]

I should also note, it's a good idea to put a snake lock on the gun, as this will make things go even more smoothly.

[SoCal50Lover]

I dont quite understand what is meant by " Lock it with a non TSA Lock " and then " lock it with a TSA lock "?

[KINetics]

I dont quite understand what is meant by " Lock it with a non TSA Lock " and then " lock it with a TSA lock "?

Lock your gun case with a non TSA Lock

Lock your suitcase with a TSA Lock.

That way TSA can still open your suitcase in case they have to do further checking, but they won't have access to the firearm itself.

[civilsnake]

Declaring a firearm in your baggage is probably one of the best ways to ensure that your baggage DOESN'T get stolen or lost. Losing a weapon is very bad press for them, and they don't want to make those kinds of mistakes.

[Dr P]

traveling with firearms

Airline policies may differ, but the TSA has been fairly consistent. Alaska Airlines was a breeze. Noone seemed alarmed about the declared firearm. TSA employee will inspect. Then your gun case should be locked with at least one, I like 2, padlocks and your suitcase is closed and locked. Your suit case lock is rather general and easily unlocked or defeated. Your gun case lock(s) should be a tad more challenging. I have never lost a gun while flying, or missed a flight checking my gun(s). You are limited to 100 rounds of ammo in your luggage. It is always a good idea to research the handgun laws of your destination. Leaving California we may believe they will always be less intrusive, but that may be untrue. NY, Hawaii, and certainly Canada & Mexico have some interesting handgun regulations. Try not to run afoul of these hoplophobic regulations by learning their rules ahead of your trip. We have rights as gun owners. Be polite, but refuse to have your rights abused.