TSA and Gunshot Residue

[Adub]

I have a flight next month to ny and I plan on using my backpack that sometimes doubles as my range bag (as well as rest sometimes) as my carry on for the flight. I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with gunshot residue and going through the security checks with the installation of the chemical tester machines.

[1sicv8]

if you are reffering to the ETD machines, yeah they will most likely pick up on it.

but the chances of your bag being searched are all up to you. as long as you go through, follow the guidelines and you should get through with no problem.

i have seen someone go through with an old military bag they purchased at an army surplus store and it set off the machine, but after checking the bag and contents the person was let through no problems.

[xsquid]

I have range bags and I have separate bags that I use for travel just to avoid the problem that you stated. Last thing I would want is to be held up at security because of an errant .22 round wedged in somewhere in the bag.

[Cody]

You may get randomly searched. If the bag tests positive for GSR then they will search it and you thoroughly but will let you go when/if they don't find anything.
If you're really worried use a different bag.

-Cody

[Deadbolt]

Denver TSA found a 1.5inch folding knife in the folds of my wife's purse

we were both amazed and concerned - SBA tsa didnt see it and my wife blurted out THATS WHERE IT WENT, apparently she lost it over a year ago - the little keychain flipper was caught on our return flight !

[Adub]

I have range bags and I have separate bags that I use for travel just to avoid the problem that you stated. Last thing I would want is to be held up at security because of an errant .22 round wedged in somewhere in the bag.

I hear you on that, I just don't have any other bags right. I just graduated from college and threw away my book bag that served me well but died just as i finished and all I have now are my 2 5.11 bags I use for camping/range/etc. and didn't feel like buying another for a flight.

I figured as much with them letting me go through if they felt they needed to search through it if it tested positive or something. I just wanted to make sure there were no stories of them freaking out and wouldn't even let someone's bag on because of some test.

Denver TSA found a 1.5inch folding knife in the folds of my wife's purse

we were both amazed and concerned - SBA tsa didnt see it and my wife blurted out THATS WHERE IT WENT, apparently she lost it over a year ago - the little keychain flipper was caught on our return flight !

I know the feeling! A few years back, I went to the air show at March AFR Base in Moreno Valley; we park and get our little fold up chairs that go in the 6" circle bags and walked to the security check point. The guard starts feeling my bag and he says "what do you have in here?" and I say "it's a chair..." he says "there is something else in here" and proceeds to pull out a freaking softball bat! My jaw drops and he just looks at me...nevertheless, he gave me the option of him confiscating it or returning it to my car.

[1sicv8]

Denver TSA found a 1.5inch folding knife in the folds of my wife's purse

we were both amazed and concerned - SBA tsa didnt see it and my wife blurted out THATS WHERE IT WENT, apparently she lost it over a year ago - the little keychain flipper was caught on our return flight !

haha, not surprising!

have you seen the amount of crap that goes inside some purses? probably difficult to tell what that all is on an xray

[Deadbolt]

haha, not surprising!

have you seen the amount of crap that goes inside some purses? probably difficult to tell what that all is on an xray

that was our guess- it must have been flat on its broad side on the way out


@adub - lol irl @ a teeball bat in the chair

[randy]

Wash it.

[scuds03]

When they find that there are no guns or bullets in the bag they will wonder where you hid them and take you behind the cavity search curtain.

[DaveFJ80]

You may get randomly searched. If the bag tests positive for GSR then they will search it and you thoroughly but will let you go when/if they don't find anything.

This.

I fly all the time between CA & TX, and I go shooting often in both places. A few times, I've shot that same morning and then flew out that afternoon, knowing I had GSR on my arms, clothing, transfer onto my bag (not the same one I used at the range), etc. However, like others have said, you get randomly searched. And if they notice something that stands out inside your bag during the x-ray, then they'll swipe it and search through it. Otherwise, the only thing that I've ever had swiped by TSA in the past 3 years was my work laptop (which didn't have any GSR transfer on it, and this was at DFW.... never any issues at LAX), and I fly at least 30 times a year.

If you're concerned about it, just use a different bag. My range bag is dedicated to range use only, mainly because I'm too lazy to empty it and fill it back up before each range trip.

[The Director]

Wow. Didn't even know they tested for that. Good to know.

[chris]

my body armor set off the machine when i was coming home from Iraq and i had to run down and open up my bag. this is after i took my boots off and my belt too. what was funny that of course my stuff would set off the machine i spent lots of time on the range training while i was gone.

[norcal.xd]

Wash it.

im with this guy.....

[Cali-Shooter]

Wow. Didn't even know they tested for that. Good to know.

Yeah, my friend went shooting with me once, and the next morning he was off to fly to Taiwan. The TSA stopped him and searched him because of the residue from all the firearms action the day before (he wore same clothes). So he had a slight delay due to the search, but that was it and he was off. My friend shot my G22c, M590A1, and Saiga 762.