Question About Flying

[lexanidubs09]

Just a quick question regarding flying with a gun and ammo. I've searched and read up on the TSA site and just would like to verify as I've never flown with a firearm before.


I've followed the advice in another thread here and bought a Pelican case and non-TSA approved locks so I should be set there. My question is about the ammo. The few boxes of ammo I'll be bringing will be in the manufacturer's box but does that box have to be in the same case as the gun or can I just throw it in my checked luggage? From what I've read online they use the word may be in the same locked case as the firearm, but they don't make it sound like a requirement.


Just trying to clarify as I'm trying to make my first time flying with a firearm go as smooth as possible.


Thanks

[edgerly779]

I usually put in same case as firearm but if you are putting in suitcase then lock hard sided suitcase and you should be fine I have done both ways .I am flyint to el paso with shotgun and 4 boxes ammo and waders and decoys in kennedy case with non tsa locks. Ammo max is 11 pounds or 5 kg in factory or packaging designed to hold ammo or mags.

[Dark Hunt]

It can be either as long as it's locked. Unlike guns, the ammunition can be locked in a bag/case with a TSA lock. You should check the baggage rules for the individual airline that you are flying with.

[lexanidubs09]

Perfect. Thank you for the help. I don't have room in the lockable case for the ammo so I was concerned about that but I will be locking my baggage with TSA approved locks so I shouldn't have any issues.

[RickD427]

It can be either as long as it's locked. Unlike guns, the ammunition can be locked in a bag/case with a TSA lock. You should check the baggage rules for the individual airline that you are flying with.

^^^THIS^^^

There is no federal requirement for ammunition to be secured with a non-TSA lock. That only applies to firearms.

49 CFR 1544.203 contains a specific paragraph authorizing ammunition (within limits) to be carried in regular checked baggage.

However, please check the individual airline's policies. They are permitted to impose requirements in excess of federal minimums, and some do. For example, American Airlines requires ammunition to be in the factory box, while federal regs only require it to be in a secure container.

[khiemp]

Before you lock the ammo in the same case/box as the firearm, go to the website of whichever airline you are flying on and look at their rules for checking in a firearm and ammo.

Last week, I had just flown on Jetblue from Long Beach to San Jose and back. This was my very first time flying with a firearm and ammo. Although TSA is ok with the firearm and ammo locked together, Jetblue wants the ammo separate. The ammo does not need to be locked up but it does need to be a in a box. I checked in my suit case which had the firearm locked in a pelican case, then the ammo in a 50 round MTM box. I didnt have to lock my suit case. You can also just put the gun case and the ammo case in a backpack if you want and check it in like that but that makes it easy to grab and steal.

So, in short, check the airline's rules.

[coachrv]

I recommend locking the case to the frame of the suitcase. Read the other day that some guns were stolen out of luggage, can't remember what airport. I use a Snap safe, not invincible but I want them to work for it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W85Q9F0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[gaw777]

Just flew from Oakland to Orlando via southwest. Gun in a pelican case, 2 boxes of ammo, with taped ends, tucked in my shoes. No issues. I do cable my case to the frame of the suitcase. Check with your airline. I also carry a copy of TSA regulations and a copy of the individual airline regulation with me.

[lexanidubs09]

Thank you for the responses. I have called the airline to verify what I read on their website and the woman I spoke with just read word for word what their website says, and after telling her what I was planning on doing she said I'll be fine. I plan on putting the ammo in its original box and just throwing it in with my checked baggage that will be secured with a TSA approved lock. I also plan on using a cable lock on the inside of my baggage secured to the gun case just as an added security measure. Thank you all again.

[baggss]

It can be either as long as it's locked. Unlike guns, the ammunition can be locked in a bag/case with a TSA lock. You should check the baggage rules for the individual airline that you are flying with.

Ammo does not have to be locked. I travel with Ammo in my unlocked suitcase all the time. (I never lock my suitcase, the folks who steal **** can open TSA locks anyhow).

[Chewy65]

^^^THIS^^^

There is no federal requirement for ammunition to be secured with a non-TSA lock. That only applies to firearms.

49 CFR 1544.203 contains a specific paragraph authorizing ammunition (within limits) to be carried in regular checked baggage.

However, please check the individual airline's policies. They are permitted to impose requirements in excess of federal minimums, and some do. For example, American Airlines requires ammunition to be in the factory box, while federal regs only require it to be in a secure container.

Drilling down,the language of 49 CFR 1544.203 isn't that specific regarding ammunition in checked baggage and it refers one to 49 CFR Part 175.

49 CFR 175.10(a)(8) provides in part that passengers may fly with:

securely packed in boxes or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition clips and magazines must also be securely boxed. This paragraph does not apply to persons traveling under the provisions of 49 CFR 1544.219.
/////////////////////////////////////

I just flew to KC MO and carried a couple hundred rounds of 9 mm in factory boxes in my soft sided checked luggage secured with a TSA lock. Baggs is right and luggage didn't need to be locked but was just to keep the contents from spilling out. I also had my 9 secured in the SIG case in which he P229 was sold, and that was locked with non tss padlocks.

I did get gigged by security for having empty magazines in my carry on. Big No No. I suppose I could have been is some trouble, but the security folk escorted me out of the security check area so that I could retrieve my checked baggage, drop the empty magazines in the one containing the declared pistol, and again run it through TSA. Fortunately I had allowed plenty of time for check in else I could have missed my flight. It may also have helped that the TSA people were more than helpful. When I went back through screening a young lady asked if I was able to retrieve my checked bag and when I told her that I was she let me know that she had made sure it was pulled inn time and in fact she sent it up to the baggage agent. Kudos to TSA in MCI (Kansas City MO).

Even then, I now see that TSA rules require magazines and clips to be boxed. Note that nothing is said about magazines being in boxes designed for them. Also, if you read the TSA web page it advises that the container in which your gun was sold may not be acceptable.

Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.

Here is a link to the TSA web page. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transport...and-ammunition And like RickD says, you also need to follow rules of the airline which may be stricter than TSA. I have heard that individual pilots can even impose special rules but am not sure if that is true.