TSA opened my locked rifle case? How?

[MrNiceGuy]

So I was flying back from **** back to SFO whenever with a locked Pelican rifle case (obviously with a firearm inside).
When I got home I found a TSA pamphlet inside indicating they had to open my case to check things out, and they're not liable for breaking the locks, etc, etc......which was all fine with me.......they have a job to do and they did it.

My question was, how the heck they opened my store bought Masterlocks?!
Because when I got home and opened my case, both locks were unmolested, I used my own key to open the locks.
If they didn't put the TSA literature inside my case indicating they've opened it, I would have never known.

Does TSA have "masterkeys" to most common locks on the market today?

Again, they are well within their rights to open my case.
I was just curious how they opened my locks.....kinda scary if TSA can easily open my locks, they common criminals might be able to do the same thing too.....

[xxdabroxx]

aren't they NOT allowed to open cases containing firearms w/o you being present?

[Fot]

So I was flying back from **** back to SFO whenever with a locked Pelican rifle case (obviously with a firearm inside).
When I got home I found a TSA pamphlet inside indicating they had to open my case to check things out, and they're not liable for breaking the locks, etc, etc......which was all fine with me.......they have a job to do and they did it.

My question was, how the heck they opened my store bought Masterlocks?!
Because when I got home and opened my case, both locks were unmolested, I used my own key to open the locks.
If they didn't put the TSA literature inside my case indicating they've opened it, I would have never known.

Does TSA have "masterkeys" to most common locks on the market today?

Again, they are well within their rights to open my case.
I was just curious how they opened my locks.....kinda scary if TSA can easily open my locks, they common criminals might be able to do the same thing too.....

Most common criminals can do the same thing , really want to scare yourself read up on bump lock picking..

[NSR500]

I think xxdabroxx is right. Your locked container isn't supposed to be inspected without you there.

[pepsi2451]

.kinda scary if TSA can easily open my locks, they common criminals might be able to do the same thing too.....

I don't know how TSA does it but a common criminal can open a master lock fairly easy. You can shim them, bump keys work pretty good and they are easy to pick. All a master lock is gonna do is slow them down and probably not much.

[bwiese]

Just run your rifle case with TSA locks.

[xxdabroxx]

TSA is not supposed to get in there, they even tell you not to use TSA locks.

Info based on those youtube videos of the Take a gun on the plane guy. I'll see if i cannot dig up a link.

[ke6guj]

Just run your rifle case with TSA locks.

I thought that TSA was specifically not allowed to open your firearms case if you weren't present. So why use TSA locks that allow them easy access when they shouldn't have access at all. It does concern me that they apparantly opened a non-TSA lock, how? Did they pick it? Does this mean that we need to start using Medeco padlocks?

[xxdabroxx]

Thanks for the replies fellas, I really appreciate it.

I read online that the TSA locks are not allowed on firearm cases, it must be a keyed or combo lock which only tou have control of. At no time is anyone allowed to access your case without you being present.

Here is some great info I found online regarding several aspects of flying with guns/ammo. (In case this searched for later)

I was very happy to read about the airlines liability as I had just began to wonder about that...

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

Definitions

A "firearm" is any device that expels a projectile by means of a combustible propellant. This includes conventional guns, flare guns, starter pistols, and blank/stage firing replicas. Serialized parts for any of these items (for instance, stripped receivers) are also treated as firearms.

The Right to Travel with Firearms

It is the right of American citizens to travel with firearms that they legally possess, and as such firearms are permitted on all flights to and from any destination, either domestically or internationally. It is the passenger's responsibility to research and comply with all relevant laws wherever their travels will take them; the airline shall take no responsibility for a customer's failure to comply with the rules of any state or nation.

Secure Luggage

Firearms and ammunition can only travel in checked baggage. Luggage that is suitable for such a task must be hard-sided and lockable. When secured, an individual should not be capable of inserting a finger anywhere into the firearms case by means of prying or bending its housing or material.

Sizable Luggage

Small handgun cases can be useful tools for securing a pistol or revolver against damage and mishandling, but they are not suitable for protection against theft. Handguns cases must be inserted into larger hard-sided luggage which itself must be locked in order to be acceptable for air travel.

The Passenger's Locks

TSA-compliant (a.k.a. "SearchAlert") locks are NOT allowed to be used when transporting firearms... a proper lock must be used and only the passenger traveling with firearms (along with members of his or her traveling party, if they are part of a group) are ever allowed to be in possession of the key or combination to said luggage. Should a luggage inspection be necessary for any reason, the passenger must be directly present and they alone shall be the one who unlocks the luggage in question. Again, ONLY THE PASSENGER may ever unlock and open firearms-bearing luggage. The passenger must remain present to observe such proceedings, and then will verify that all their firearms and ammunition are still present and properly packed before re-locking the luggage at the conclusion of the inspection. At no time will passengers ever be separated from their key or combination, nor shall firearm-bearing luggage ever be opened out of their presence once it has been secured.

Additional Fees

There are no limits concerning how many firearms shall be packed with a piece of luggage, however no special provisions are made for baggage weight. If luggage is over the fifty pound limit, additional fees maybe imposed by the airlines as they see fit. However, airlines may not impose any specific "gun case fees" or in any other way penalize passengers who are traveling with guns and ammunition.

Additional Designations

Passengers must fill out the declaration card [in my ideal world, the card would be standardized and available both at airline counters as well as via the web so customers could fill it out in advance] stating that their firearms are unloaded and this card will be kept inside the luggage during the flight. At no time will this or any other indicating tag be affixed to the outside of firearms-bearing luggage. Furthermore, the airline's printed baggage tracking tag will not display any markings or characters used to designate a bag as containing firearms. A passenger's entry in the airline computer shall also not contain any special details indicating their travel with firearms.

Ammunition

There are no limits for how many rounds or what size caliber ammunition a passenger may pack aside from a maximum weight limit of fifty pounds. Ammunition must be packed in a manner that protects against crushing or the rounds becoming loose. The original box, or an after-market vessel designed to carry ammunition, or clips and magazines are all appropriate ways to pack ammunition provided that it is completely enclosed and there is no exposure of the rounds. Ammunition may be packed in the same container as firearms, as long as it is packed in accordance with these standards.

Liability

Passengers are responsible for verifying that their firearms have arrived safely at their final destination. Upon arrival at their final destination, an air traveler will have the right to briefly open and inspect the contents of their luggage in order to assess if things are safely in order. Passengers have a duty to report lost or damaged firearms and ammunition as soon as such a situation is discovered. Airlines are fully liable for loss, theft, or damage caused by non-routine handling of firearms and ammunition that they are transporting. Passengers traveling with firearms shall never be prohibited from purchasing additional insurance coverage for their luggage, but such coverage is not mandatory. In the event of theft or loss, it will be the airline's responsibility to contact law enforcement and fill out all reports. If lost firearms are not recovered within thirty-six hours of a passenger's arrival at their destination, the airlines must compensate the aggrieved party accordingly.

...

[derwiking]

+1 to bwiese's comment. I just purchased a TSA approved case and a TSA lock and i'm quite impressed. Worth the meager investment.

[gose]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

* You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
* The firearm must be unloaded.
* The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
* The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion. The pictures provided here illustrate the difference between a properly packaged and an improperly packaged firearm.
* We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
* You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
* You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
* You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
* You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

Photo of a firearm properly packaged
Photo of a firearm properly packaged.

We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

[skale240]

They aren't supposed to open it. But from my last experience, I believe now that they don't give a rats butt and will do whatever they like even if written otherwise in their own policy.

I thought that TSA was specifically not allowed to open your firearms case if you weren't present. So why use TSA locks that allow them easy access when they shouldn't have access at all. It does concern me that they apparantly opened a non-TSA lock, how? Did they pick it? Does this mean that we need to start using Medeco padlocks?

[Scout106]

Anyone who puts TSA locks on a gun case is rather dense, as well as in violation of TSA firearms transport policy. Come on guys, this is not rocket science, a bit of common sense goes a long way. TSA policy has always been that ONLY you are to retain the key/combination to your guncase and that you will provide same to a TSA inspector when asked.

[Casual_Shooter]

Is it possible they unlatched the case and slid a pamphlet inside without unlocking the the locks?

i.e. I'll have to check to be sure, but I'm fairly certain- even with my pelican case locked with both padlocks- I can unlatch it and slide a piece of paper into it.

[xxdabroxx]

But why?