Friendly reminder from the TSA

[RogerOrange]

So we flew a couple of old rifles home from Missouri to California.
Packed them in a TSA approved box and locked it with the obligatory TSA approved lock.

Removed the bolt from one rifle, of course no ammo in the box.

Included a signed letter from father stating that I inherited the rifles stating description with serial number of the rifles.

Checking in went painless, collecting the luggage was non eventful. Other that they just dumped the case in a corner where anyone could have picked them up and walked away with it

Once home I noticed that there was suddenly a 2nd TSA lock on the box that must have belonged to someone else

After I cut the 2nd lock and opened the case I found this note stating "Must be lock AND inaccessAble until unlocked". Guess the rifles also should have had a trigger lock...

The beside the spelling error it also must be hard for the TSA inspector to put a rifle back in the case since they Jammed the nozzle between the edge of the box and must have sat on it to close it. Damaging te case and leaving a scuff mark on the barrel

[emtmark]

That sucks

[BeFrank]

Not supposed to use a TSA lock. Need to use a lock only you have the key/ combination for.

[Oceanbob]

Your mistake was using a TSA lock. TSA doesn't want everyone with a master key to steal your guns. This is well known.

Only locks that you have the key are permitted.

[hermosabeach]

I had a scoped rifle placed back in a case with the scope touching the edge of the case.... The rifle arrived with a broken mount....

Bastards

[RickD427]

Not supposed to use a TSA lock. Need to use a lock only you have the key/ combination for.

^^^^THIS^^^^^

It sounds like your problems resulted from using a TSA lock. That was a big mistake.

If there are firearms in the luggage, use a Non-TSA lock for which only you have the key or combination. Declare the firearm at check-in. The ticket agent will normally direct you to a TSA inspection point where they will inspect the luggage and then you place the lock on it. Protocol at some airports will also have a LEO inspect the firearm.

Please refer to 49 CFR 1544.203:

The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and

(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the flightcrew compartment,.

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(g) 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.

[RogerOrange]

Not supposed to use a TSA lock. Need to use a lock only you have the key/ combination for.

If you read my post this is what I used...

[RogerOrange]

If you read the TSA instructions you HAVE TO USE A TSA APPROVED LOCK so they always can have access to the content of the gun case!

My only mistake was not to put a trigger lock on the rifles. Thankfully they were so friendly to still pass the rifles trough.

[Librarian]

If you read the TSA instructions you HAVE TO USE A TSA APPROVED LOCK so they always can have access to the content of the gun case!

My only mistake was not to put a trigger lock on the rifles. Thankfully they were so friendly to still pass the rifles trough.

Originally Posted by BeFrank View Post
Not supposed to use a TSA lock. Need to use a lock only you have the key/ combination for.

If you read my post this is what I used...

This statement conflicts with the first post -

So we flew a couple of old rifles home from Missouri to California.
Packed them in a TSA approved box and locked it with the obligatory TSA approved lock.

...

The TSA is notorious for not following their own rules.

Rickd247 posted the actual regulation, and bolded the relevant part:

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—

(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing before checking the baggage that any firearm carried in the baggage is unloaded;

(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;

(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and

IF one uses a TSA lock, TSA then has access - they have the key.

[RickD427]

If you read my post this is what I used...

If you read the TSA instructions you HAVE TO USE A TSA APPROVED LOCK so they always can have access to the content of the gun case!

My only mistake was not to put a trigger lock on the rifles. Thankfully they were so friendly to still pass the rifles trough.

Roger,

Not trying to be argumentative here, but your original post communicates that you used a TSA lock on your luggage. Here is the exact quote from your post:

"and locked it with the obligatory TSA approved lock"

I know that TSA posts all sorts of informational materials suggesting that you place a "TSA approved" lock on your luggage so that a conventional lock would not have to be cut off if your luggage is selected for additional inspection. TSA approved locks have a "master key" capability so that they can be opened by TSA personnel with their master key. As a side note, would you care to guess the proliferation of TSA master keys?

Please note that the TSA informational materials are not law. They are simply designed to communicate information to the masses.

Every rule has an exception and the "use a TSA approved lock" for your luggage rule has an exception for firearms. In fact, the law forbids the use of a TSA lock for baggage containing firearms (because the TSA lock does not meet the "sole access" requirement of 49 CFR 1544.203). Please refer to the text in my previous post.

Postscript - Once again, Librarian has beat me to the punch while I'm typing.

[RogerOrange]

Thanks for the clarification.

I rather make it easy on them by using their TSA approved locks (even if they offer no protection at all!) than having to report back to some desk after the rifle has ben checked inn because they could not open it...

On the other hand from what I haver heard is that firearms are watched very carefully during the luggage handling. And no loading crew whats to have a missing gun on their record.

I know about a professional photographer who checks his expensive camera gear with a cheap gun for that reason. Just the mere presence of all the tags and extra eyes on the bag protects his valuables from the people who are supposed to protect us....

[edgerly779]

Never use tsa locks they are not obligatory. They have you open at security check in if needed then you lock. Such FUD. I fly several times a year with firearms. Obviously you never bothered to check with frequent fliers on here. By using tsa locks you willingly allowed any dxckhead in baggage or dsa to steal your fireams.

[RickD427]

Thanks for the clarification.

I rather make it easy on them by using their TSA approved locks (even if they offer no protection at all!) than having to report back to some desk after the rifle has ben checked inn because they could not open it...

On the other hand from what I haver heard is that firearms are watched very carefully during the luggage handling. And no loading crew whats to have a missing gun on their record.

I know about a professional photographer who checks his expensive camera gear with a cheap gun for that reason. Just the mere presence of all the tags and extra eyes on the bag protects his valuables from the people who are supposed to protect us....

Roger,

It you do the process correctly, you don't have the risk of "having to report back". Your bag gets its final TSA inspection while you're standing there and before you put the non-TSA lock on it.

Once the non-TSA lock is placed on the bag, it's on its way and no TSA person will be opening it after that point.

Actually by using the TSA approved lock, you're really not being helpful to the process, and technically are violating the law.

Librarian is right, a lot of TSA folks either do not know, or are not inclined to follow, their own regulations. When I fly, I carry a copy of 49 CFR 1544.203 in my notepad (its only one page). I've only had one problem dealing with TSA. I asked the agent to read the regulation. He got flustered and called his supervisor. The supervisor knew what to do and the problem was solved.

[six seven tango]

Thanks for the clarification.

I rather make it easy on them by using their TSA approved locks (even if they offer no protection at all!) than having to report back to some desk after the rifle has ben checked inn because they could not open it...

I would rather report back to the desk than have to report a stolen/missing firearm at my destination. The proper way to fly with a firearm is to declare it at baggage check-in. They will have you stand by for "x" amount of minutes. Once the time is up, you go thru security as normal. Or, depending on the airport, they may have you take the bag to the TSA area for clearance. I have never been called back after waiting and have never had a problem using non-TSA pad locks. Using TSA locks on a firearm is just begging to have to fill out additional paperwork with the local PD when you land.

On the other hand from what I haver heard is that firearms are watched very carefully during the luggage handling. And no loading crew whats to have a missing gun on their record.

The baggage crew should not know what is in your luggage. TSA very specifically mentions that there should be no tags, markings, stickers, etc., indicating that there may be a firearm in a piece of luggage. The TSA inspection tag should go inside the case, not outside.

[Sound&Style]

I have to travel soon and I have a question on traveling with a pistol. I know it has to be unloaded, in a locked container and declared at the airline counter where the bags are checked. My question is that since it's a pistol in a small case, I have an original Sig Sauer case that locks tight and has room for two locks. I have two keyed locks I will be putting on there.

However should this ultimately be put inside of a bigger piece of luggage after declaring it or do they normally ship it in the small pistol box with locks?

If it will go into a bigger piece of luggage, should that piece of luggage have the TSA lock (or locks) on it?

I've checked TSA's website and the airline's site and so far I can't really figure this part out.

Thanks.