Flying with handguns...

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I'll be flying out to Front Sight next week. Have always driven and this will be the first time flying with a firearm. Read through Southwest's policy. Will have the firearms in their own locked cases, and then those cases will be locked in a hard-sided suitcase that I will be checking.

My question is do the firearms also have to have their actions opened with a cable lock through them in addition to being locked in the hard cases? Do the empty magazines have to be stored separately as well, or can they also be empty, in the same case as the firearm?

[OCEquestrian]

I'll be flying out to Front Sight next week. Have always driven and this will be the first time flying with a firearm. Read through Southwest's policy. Will have the firearms in their own locked cases, and then those cases will be locked in a hard-sided suitcase that I will be checking.

My question is do the firearms also have to have their actions opened with a cable lock through them in addition to being locked in the hard cases? Do the empty magazines have to be stored separately as well, or can they also be empty, in the same case as the firearm?

No cable lock, the only requirement is that the gun be unloaded in a locked container. You will have to disclose the presence of the gun when checking in. They will give you an Intentional Orange ticket that you sign, attesting to the airline/DHS your firearm is unloaded. The counter staff will either ask you to place the tag in the box with the gun )only happened to me a couple times) or most likely place the tag on top of your locked pistol box in your suitcase. That tells DHS security, if they inspect your bag, that you lawfully disclosed the presence of an unloaded firearm. Empty mags can be stored with the gun in the same container as can a box of SD ammunition. Just no loaded gun/loaded mags in gun.

LOL.. That looks exactly like my set up right down to the Ace Hardware DHS combo locks.

Pro Tip: When you arrive, before you leave the baggage area, go off to one side away from the crowd and discreetly check your bag to make sure your gun is still there in the case. I'm a Reagan Republican (trust but verify ). If there is a problem, surveillance footage will show you found the gun missing immediate on recovering the bag and did not leave the terminal.

[Dan_Eastvale]

When you return to CA by plane, does TSA in the departing state check for CA compliance in your guns'/mags' configurations being brought back?
I would assume it's not their jurisdiction.

[edgerly779]

^^^ never had that happen flown 20 tomes with fireRMS. aND NO CABLE LOCK THRU ACTION REQUIRED. OCE got it right. Sign declaration put in case with firearm go to tsa and wait for clearance or if taken at tickey counter wait tilkl cleared then go to gate. 11 lbs ammo max unless flying to alaska on alaska air then 50 lbs max.

[Citadelgrad87]

When you return to CA by plane, does TSA in the departing state check for CA compliance in your guns'/mags' configurations being brought back?
I would assume it's not their jurisdiction.

I have returned from many states, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, Florida. Also have flown internally in Ca both ends. I have never had anyone check any configuration at all, but be aware that legally owned standard capacity magazines cannot legally be brought back into the state, even if you took them with you out on the same trip.

For this reason, I just bought magazines in Colorado and Az, etc, and leave them with friends.

[edgerly779]

I unrivet my mags when out of state and rerivet before return. Never been checked though. Since flying after today very tough must take test and be negative. I cancelled my flight to El Paso and rented an suv and driving with my guns and ammo.

[CWL]

TSA don't know laws of destination states, they just verify unloaded firearm and locked container. Beyond this, they know very little about anything.

Coming back from FL once, the TSA guy looked at my 2 custom 1911s and asked me if they were Glocks.

[The War Wagon]

Pro Tip: When you arrive, before you leave the baggage area, go off to one side away from the crowd and discreetly check your bag to make sure your gun is still there in the case. I'm a Reagan Republican (trust but verify ). If there is a problem, surveillance footage will show you found the gun missing immediate on recovering the bag and did not leave the terminal.

ABSOLUTELY!

You'd be AMAZED how many have "walked away" from LOCKED cases on airlines.


And if they case LOOKS tampered with/damaged, report DIRECTLY to security, and open it in THEIR presence!

[OCEquestrian]

When you return to CA by plane, does TSA in the departing state check for CA compliance in your guns'/mags' configurations being brought back?
I would assume it's not their jurisdiction.

Nope... TSA is just concerned with federal law enforcement. I have left and returned with my legally owned standard capacity mags every time without incident. I remember driving back from Mexico with a friend to get automotive lacquer paint that is illegal here in CA. Customs/BP asked the purpose of the trip at the border checkpoint... I had a heart attack when he said to get some paint. They looked in the bed of the pickup truck and waved us thru.

That said, I wouldn't recommend importing any Std capacity mags purchased on the trip out of state...just in case.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Since flying after today very tough must take test and be negative.

Since when is this a requirement for domestic flights?! I'm flying out of Oakland to Nevada and back. As far as I know there are no restrictions, declarations, quarantine periods or Covid tests required.

[BigPimping]

That always seemed to be too complex for me. I would rather just leave those things at home. Rent something at the event.

[ysr_racer]

When you return to CA by plane, does TSA in the departing state check for CA compliance in your guns'/mags' configurations being brought back?
I would assume it's not their jurisdiction.

Yes, absolutely. And they give you a prostate exam too.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

One last question...if I bring ammo with me (just going to bring one box), does that also have to be init's own locked case inside the suitcase, or can it be loose in the suitcase (in the original packaging, of course).

[PaperTarget]

One last question...if I bring ammo with me (just going to bring one box), does that also have to be init's own locked case inside the suitcase, or can it be loose in the suitcase (in the original packaging, of course).

Ammunition in it's original or other proper packaging box can be in a suitcase and doesn't have to be in another locked box.

The rule on ammunition seems to point towards a goal of keeping the ammunition from becoming loose and haphazard. So, I would tape that box shut or even over-wrap it in corrugated cardboard. (I'd guess someone postulated that the tip of one round "could possibly" dent the primer of another loose round. So zip-lock baggies and socks full of loose rounds are not acceptable)

From Southwest
Ammunition

Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage!
Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.
Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed.
Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be subject to limited release.

[morrcarr67]

That always seemed to be too complex for me. I would rather just leave those things at home. Rent something at the event.

You must not have a CCW, in CA or another state. I don't know of any place in CA or another state that will rent you a gun to carry while you're there.