Flying with a gun - need advice ASAP

[ColdDeadHands1]

Last minute plans here. I will be flying from San Jose to Las Vegas with my NV CCW. I would like to carry while there. I've never flown with a gun so I want to validate my plan here quickly.

I plan to place my unloaded handgun and two unloaded magazines along with a box of ammo in a small, metal, locking box with a combo code on it. Then put that box inside my duffel bag that I will lock the zippers with a small Master combo lock. This is not a TSA lock as far as I know.

Then go to check in counter and say "I have an unloaded firearm in my luggage to declare". I understand they might say "cool, put it on the scale" and I move on or they might take me and or my bag into another room to verify unloaded status.

Any other advice for handling this in San Jose or on the Vegas return?

[MPTORN]

It can't be in a case in luggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

[ColdDeadHands1]

It has to be in a separate case with a TSA approved lock on it. It can't be in a case in luggage.

And forget about bringing the ammunition with you unless you want to end up in jail.

Man, neither of the things you said are what I thought I knew of the process.

[MPTORN]

Disregard what I said, I edited the post. I read over it too fast and didn't catch the important info like unloaded weapon etc.

Sorry about that

[ColdDeadHands1]

Disregard what I said. I edited the post.

Thanks for the link.

According to the link EVERYTHING I said is accurate. They do not however, mention a TSA approved lock on the luggage.

[MPTORN]

Thanks for the link.

According to the link EVERYTHING I said is accurate. They do not however, mention a TSA approved lock on the luggage.

You are right about that, my apologies. I always assumed it had to be a TSA approved lock because every time I have traveled with my firearm, quite a few times over the past few years, I have always found that lovely note from the TSA upon arrival that says they inspected my luggage randomly etc. I always used a TSA approved lock so that's probably why they put their d!ck beaters all over my firearm. Now that I know I don't have to use a TSA lock I won't so it looks like we both learned something new today.

[Gryff]

As far as I know, the ammo needs to be separate from the firearm. So the firearm case and the ammo can both be in your larger suitcase, but I believe that the ammo shouldn't be in the firearm case with the gun. I might be wrong, but you won't get in trouble for not having your ammo in a locked container.

Firearm case should be locked with a non-TSA lock. Larger suitcase needs a TSA lock or you risk them cutting it off.

Make sure your ammo isn't "bulk packed" (i.e. it should be in a standard ammo box that isolates the rounds from each other).

Big issue...allow extra time for the airline/TSA to process you. I almost missed my flight the last time I traveled with a weapon because the TSA clowns were taking forever at the bomb-screening station, and there were two guys in front of me that also had firearms. I was at that spot for more than half an hour.

[Wernher von Browning]

Firearm case should be locked with a non-TSA lock. Larger suitcase needs a TSA lock or you risk them cutting it off.

^^^This.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

If you read that carefully, it tells you to NOT use a TSA lock on the gun case -- that's why you need to be available with the key or combination in case they want to look inside. The larger luggage that contains the case, however, needs to have a TSA lock.

http://blog.beretta.com/10-gun-tips-you-need-to-know-about-flying-with-guns

or just google "TSA lock" firearms.

[sar_man]

Very good overview of what you need to know.

https://youtu.be/KfqtYfaILHw

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[thegiff]

I've only flown with firearms twice so far.

Lock on firearm case non-tsa (only you can open it). You can store ammo in the firearm case but it needs to be packaged. No loose rounds and not in a magazine.

When you arrive, tell check-in person that you have a firearm to declare. They will give you a firearm declaration card. Fill it out, unlock the case discreetly, place the card in it and re-lock the case. Then follow instructions as to what to do next. The card needs to be in the case, TSA may or may not want to open the case and it had better be there.

For me anyway:
At OC (SNA) with southwest, firearms went down the belt. I was told to hang around for 5 minutes or so to see if it went through inspection or not.

At Denver, a baggage agent had me follow him to TSA firearm checkpoint where they opened my case, examined my rifle, and relocked it. I had to be present (as it should be) to open the case for them. They wiped a bunch of stuff for chemicals, but otherwise did not handle my weapon.

In Texas, they had me take my rifle to the TSA checkpoint and I watched it go through the X-ray.

At San Diego, they sent it down the belt and told me to hang around for 15 minutes, if no word then it was good, if TSA wanted to inspect then they would call the ticket agent and send me to the inspection area (they didn't call).

If placing a small firearms box in a duffel I would cable lock that case to the inside of the duffel.

[edgerly779]

Lock the gun case with your own lock never tsa lock andyour suitcase with tsa lock and declare at counter sign affidavit put in case and go to tsa to check bag. Mag may be loaded don't listen to fud, Ammo may be in mag or container designed to hold ammo factory box/plastic ammo box etc gryff and gif both wrong. You can have 5.5 kilos orr 11 pounds of ammo.

[norcalgunguy]

Tagged

[thegiff]

Oh, and you can place the firearm locked container within another piece of luggage. A couple other travelers in Denver did that. Again, if it is a small case then making harder to "disappear" would be good, so cable lock it to the large case or use a larger case that can't be hidden in clothing.

[edgerly779]

^^ that is correct

[dwalker]

I unfortunately fly with firearms all the time. Here is how I do it.

Fly Southwest if at all possible, their people really know how to deal with firearms. With other airlines you risk getting the staffer who hates guns and is ignorant of TSA policy and giving you grief about how your ammo is boxed etc. will make thier day.

I never put the ammo in the same box as the gun. Tape it shut and put it in the suitcase.
You will need to bring the gun to the counter with the case unlocked. I just carry it in, often the ticket agent will ask "Is that a firearm?" before I have finished saying hello. They will have you fill out a form declaring that it is unloaded and have you open the case to show them there is actually a gun in there. They will not usually handle the firearm or check to see if it is unloaded. If they do, get annoyed, because they are not supposed to. Once you have signed your unloaded declaration you will put it in the case and be instructed to lock the case. It MUST be a non-TSA lock. At this point l put my pistol case in my luggage. They will walk it over to the TSA who, depending on airport, will either check it right there or take it to a back room. I think they use an explosives sniffer to see if you really just have a gun in there. In any case they have never asked me to open the case. Word of warning- do not have even a single round, fired or unfired, loose anywhere in your luggage. It will cause you a lot of issues if the TSA person is in the mood to do so.

I have to note here that I think it is always risky flying with a small case and a pistol, its how guns get stolen by TSA employees. In my case I almost always take a long gun or two and a handgun or two in a very large case that is checked by itself and not easily "lost". I have done it and I will likely do it again.

Good luck.