TSA opened my locked rifle case? How?

[joelogic]

You except a wage slave to follow procedure. You set the bar way to high.
Leaving SFO - TSA felt the foam to make sure I was hiding anything. Didnt touch guns.
Leaving McCarran -
TSA "what's in the case?"
Me "Guns"
TSA "Are they unloaded"
Me "Yes"
TSA "Ok, have a nice flight" then she put the case on the conveyor belt.

[oops]

where does it say in federal law that they cannot inspect the luggage without you being present? I have seen the parts where they say you should remain present but haven't actually seen anything forbidding it.

[NSR500]

where does it say in federal law that they cannot inspect the luggage without you being present? I have seen the parts where they say you should remain present but haven't actually seen anything forbidding it.

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.

It is listed that the baggage owner has to be present.

[ke6guj]

It is listed that the baggage owner has to be present.

But where in the U.S.C. or C.F.R. does it say that? You just quoted a third party's summary of the law, but not the actual law.

[lehn20]

I always hang out by the Xray machine after I check in to make sure my bags make it through without secondary screening. If they pull it aside to inspect my weapons, I am right there. I have told TSA before to pound sand when they start getting their panties in a bunch. They think they are Gods because of their ghey uniform. It really pisses me off. But when you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
I always tell them to get airport police if there are any issues.

[socalblue]

Just run your rifle case with TSA locks.

iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and

(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the flightcrew compartment,.

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(g) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm. Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.

****

A TSA approved lock does not meet the standard as they all may be opened via the TSA master key. A combo lock is best because you can't lose the key.

You should report the incident as TSA violated both rules & operating policy. Someone should be fired for opening the case without you being present or otherwise authorizing.

[Spyder]

The ticketing agent does not put in a TSA-labeled brochure.

I've flown, with a firearm, three times in the last 2 months. Six flights in total. EVERY single time, the ticketing agent DID put the required TSA labeled paperwork inside my case. One time they taped it to the outside, but the ticketing agent next to her told her to just put it inside of the case.

I'd bet money that it was slipped into the case while the OP wasn't looking. That's the way its been done every one of the dozens of times I've flown with various firearms.

[Dr Pete]

With due respect for the employees that work at TSA big question.
Do they know and are trained properly to determine if a gun is unloaded?
My guess is absolutely not. Brings up the important point, I personally don't want someone fondling my gun if they don't have a clue WTF they are doing!
I am sure 99% of the people on this forum can determine real quickly and safely if a gun is unloaded, but think about when you go to the range with a newbie..........we teach.
If they break something because of ignorance do you think you get reimbursed for damages? Hell no.

[BLKSHP]

Sorry Guys Master Locks Suck
I recommend Medeco Locks (Almost Pick proof)
I have attached a Link

http://www.medeco.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92&Itemid=64

[GrizzlyGuy]

Just run your rifle case with TSA locks.

Correct, this guy's site has additional info. This video of a presentation he gave on the subject is a bit long but worth the time to watch:

[johnny_22]

I just bought two nice locks for my Cabela's case

what is considered a "nice" lock? since i've been looking for those for my pelican case.

One place to buy them is:

https://securitysnobs.com/Padlocks/

The other for much larger padlocks is:

http://1st-in-padlocks.com/

Recommended by deviating

http://deviating.net/firearms/

[MrNiceGuy]

EVERY single time, the ticketing agent DID put the required TSA labeled paperwork inside my case. One time they taped it to the outside, but the ticketing agent next to her told her to just put it inside of the case.

Something must be clarified.
When you refer to "TSA labeled paperwork" that was put into the case by a "Ticketing Agent", was this "paperwork" a bright red/orange colored 4x6ish card? Or was this "paperwork" a longer grey strip 4x11ish?

My "Ticketing Agent" (NOT TSA agent) on BOTH occasions asked me if my firearm was unloaded, had me open my case, looked inside, gave me a bright red/orange card to sign indicating the firearms were unloaded, then they tossed the signed card into my case, had me close the case and escorted me to the "TSA agent".

I was merely pointing out the "GREY" 4x11 slip of paper (NOT the bright red/orange card) was NOT inserted into my case by the "TSA agent" on my way out of SFO (assuming it's standard procedures to always have that slip of paper to be inserted into the case by TSA agents).

But then again......things don't always goes as planned and some folks don't always follow procedures.....oh well......

[johnny_22]

SJC is notorius for violating the law

Wow...

The TSA just violated federal law.

Personally, I would call the TSA and the FAA and file a major complaint.

The TSA is not supposed to violate federal law.

You can read here about how no matter how much you argue, you must give up the key to fly.

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

[bombadillo]

Make sure you buy a waterproof Pelican case and they wouldn't even be able to slip a piece of paper in there. Thats BS that they'd go through it without your presence, but it is what it is. Live and learn to pack it up better with some oddball beefy locks next time.

[TMC]

You need to clam down here folks. You do not have a constitutional right to fly, you are entering a business regulated by many gov. agencies. If you don't like the rules or are worried about your property then drive.