Transporting handgun on airplane.

[Hatchman]

Who has transported a handgun and ammo on a commercial airplane in their luggage? Any problems? Any advice? Were you able to keep the luggage locked?

[Fjold]

Check in with the ticket counter and tell them that you have a gun and ammunition. They are supposed to verify that it is unloaded and give you a red tag that says "unloaded firearm" that goes inside the lockable case.

You have to have the ammo seperated from the gun. Both have to be in locked containers and airlines say that ammunition must be in factory like packaging that seperates each cartridge.

Some airlines allow you to check both the firearm and ammo in one bag and some don't. federal law requires them to be locked and you to have the only key.

They will tell you to hand carry it to TSA who will check it also and are supposed to have you lock the case when they are done. But sometimes they will lock it and give you back the key. Always ask for the key and carry spare keys with you just in case.

[Cpl. Haas]

What airline?

I've flown out of Sac (KSMF) and LA (KLAX) several times with both handguns and rifles... always on Southwest. Make sure the firearm is unloaded and locked in a hard-sided case. I usually just throw them into my metal lockbox, and place that inside my larger suitcase. Ammunition in factory boxes are fine, as long as it's not loose-packed (such as bulk .22LR or the 100rnd 9mm value packs from Wal-Mart).

When you arrive, just tell an airline employee you have a firearm(s) to declare. With southwest, they have you fill out a declaration card stating the firearm is unloaded... then you open the case, place the card in with the firearm(s), and lock it back up.

After that you wait around while they run it through the scanner... when you get the okay, proceed as you usually would.

[Hatchman]

Thanks guys, sounds easy enough.

[CSACANNONEER]

When you go to the ticket counter, say "I have a firearm to declare." I try to avoid using the word "gun" just because, the word "firearm" sounds more professional and it's less likely to freak some one out.

[yellowfin]

Dress nice and have it stripped so when you open the case it looks as harmless as possible. Even the least familiar person with firearms will feel a lot safer with it in pieces.

[tango5]

Tuck it into your waist band and your good to go. lol just kidding, dont do that. Like the other said, check it with your luggage and make sure you declare that you are taking a firearm. Last thing they need is a "surprise" when they scan your luggage.

[ojisan]

I remove the slide from an auto loader.
Gun is a bunch of parts when / if they open the case to check.

I prefer to say "I have an unloaded firearm to declare".
I like to get that word "unloaded" out there early.

Do not say "I have a gun".

[tango5]

I remove the slide from an auto loader.
Gun is a bunch of parts when / if they open the case to check.

I prefer to say "I have an unloaded firearm to declare".
I like to get that word "unloaded" out there early.

Do not say "I have a gun".

Good idea, its better to say unloaded verses, I have a gun and i need to get on that plane.

[CSACANNONEER]

Good idea, its better to say unloaded verses, I have a gun and i need to get on that plane.

Why? I remember when my dad boarded a commercial plane at SFO with a loaded handgun on his hip. I was 10 and about to fly to LA by myself. He had missed me at the gate and was able to talk the staff into letting him board the plane to tell me goodby. I guess, the fact that he was a uniformed fedral peace officer might have had something to do with it though.

[joelogic]

There was a super long thread about this a week ago. People are trained on SOP not gun handling. Virgin ticketing counter asked me to open my long gun case, which I did, she looked, and said thanks. TSA agent felt the foam and relocked it. 10lbs ammo though, that sucks, its 380 rounds of .223. I had to mail the rest.

[ojisan]

When I have a fresh haircut and shave, normal when I business travel, lots of people think I am a cop. I just have that look.
One time flying out of Burbank, I told the clerk at check in I had a unloaded firearm, she assumed I was a cop and said "Well, you'll be taking that on board with you, right?"
Man, was that tempting for just a couple seconds...

[SJgunguy24]

I used to be a skycap at San Jose (SJC) so i've seen all kinds of "things" and "incidents" at the airport. Don't trip about checking in a firearm.

Just like said earlier, declare firearm at ticket counter, fill out the form, lock case that houses the firearm, and toss it in your luggage. You are allowed 11 lbs of ammo per passenger max, that's FAA so the airline could limit you to less.

Also airports have different policies, when departing SJC, I declared gun, checked bag and went on my way. When I checked in at San Deigo, I declared gun, my ticket, I.D., and luggage were held untill police arrived. Then was escorted to an area where I was ordered to open my luggage. The firearm was removed and they opened my case. I was questioned as to why I had a gun, and why did I bring ammo. I think they were fishing, I also think they ran the #'s on my Glock. They did comment about my mags, standard mags with Arrendondo +5 base plates.

I'm glad I got there early, this all took about 90 mins, and I had to go to the bathroom and was told to wait. Not fun but when your flying your on their turf.

[Quiet]

Who has transported a handgun and ammo on a commercial airplane in their luggage? Any problems? Any advice? Were you able to keep the luggage locked?

Here is a website with the info you seek.

http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/

watch video

[Vectrexer]

Who has transported a handgun and ammo on a commercial airplane in their luggage? Any problems? Any advice? Were you able to keep the luggage locked?

My Old 2008 CGN post about my airline travel experience. And yes, the ammo traveled with me.

Flying and Guns 2008-08-01 to 2008-08-04

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