Take your rifle on an airliner...

[EBR Works]

At this moment I'm on a flight at 32k feet over Colorado headed to NRA instructor training in Seattle. My rifle is cozy in the aircraft's hold. This post is simply to state that it's no big deal to take your unloaded weapons and ammo along in checked luggage. Upon checking in they asked to have a look in the locked hard case to verify it was unloaded and that was it. No drama.

Too bad it cost me $17 for in flight Internet access just to make this post!

[77bawls]

Yuppers. Just had this discussion on another forum today.

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

[CWUSCG]

I'm about to do the same thing. Glad to hear you didn't have any problems. I was a little nervous about it.

[EBR Works]

I was expecting immediate full body search and questioning.....but no. TSA wasn't even involved, just the airline counter person.

[joelogic]

TSA only cares about finger nail clippers and liquids in containers over 3 ozs.

[-hanko]

TSA only cares about finger nail clippers and liquids in containers over 3 ozs.

That's only if you're a Scandinavian grandmother, or a Congressional Medal of Honor soldier. With your panties full of binary explosive, you're good to go.

-hanko

[winnre]

TSA only cares about finger nail clippers and liquids in containers over 3 ozs.

So you can bring your AK47 but not the oil to lube it.

[ElkHunterSL]

The last time I traveled and packed my valuables aka digital camera in my luggage it was stolen by baggage handlers. How would I trust my handgun will make it safely.

[Toast]

Well you don't use the TSA lock (I've heard its actually illegal to use with a firearm, FUD? Maybe.) Get a good lock that would be hard to break, and it would be a big deal if your gun went missing so a baggage handler probably wouldn't mess with it.

[patriot_man]

Well you don't use the TSA lock (I've heard its actually illegal to use with a firearm, FUD? Maybe.) Get a good lock that would be hard to break, and it would be a big deal if your gun went missing so a baggage handler probably wouldn't mess with it.

Do not use TSA locks. It is illegal to have TSA locks on and is definitely not a FUD. The only person that should be able to get in that case should be you and only you. Do not supply the key to anyone else and always open the case yourself if they ask to inspect it.

[EBR Works]

Hmm...I used big red TSA locks today and the rifle arrived unmolested. American Airlines' policy states that TSA locks are OK:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/firearms.jsp

Firearms will only be accepted if unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container only (for example - rifle case. TSA approved locks are now accepted).

[Omega13device]

If you're ok with the baggage handlers having access to your firearms then go ahead and use TSA locks.

[EBR Works]

I took a look at the contents of the rifle case just now at the hotel and TSA did open the case and inspect it after it left the airline check in counter. They left a nice little brochure with info about the inspection. Without TSA locks, I'm not sure what would have happened if they were not allowed to do the inspection.

[patriot_man]

I took a look at the contents of the rifle case just now at the hotel and TSA did open the case and inspect it after it left the airline check in counter. They left a nice little brochure with info about the inspection. Without TSA locks, I'm not sure what would have happened if they were not allowed to do the inspection.

The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(d) 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.

[67 FR 8353, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 41639, June 19, 2002; 70 FR 41600, July 19, 2005; 71 FR 30507, May 26, 2006]



You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared.

[ke6guj]

TSA rules and FAA rules don't always match up, the above is an example. FAA says only the passenger retains the key. TSA wants you to use a TSA lock so they can get into it if they need to. If you use a TSA lock, then the TSA has a key, which violates the FAA rule that ONLY the passenger have a key.