Getting on an airplane

[dwkfym]

So after three years of living in Florida, with CWL and all, I'm moving to California for a job opportunity. I'll be flying very soon. I'll be leaving my AR with my family, but bringing both my old carry piece and IDPA gun, though no carrying in California

From what I understand, I will be doing the following:
-bring only 10 round mags
-Unload, lock slide open and put a lock through it (fortunately, i have a bunch of factory locks I never bothered to use from Florida!)
-Put weapons and empty magazines in a hard case that can't be opened when locked
-Lock said case with TSA approved lock
-Box of 9mil HPs in factory boxes - can I bring this in the same case?
-Declare all of this at airport check-in

I read through some threads and did some research, I just wanted to run it by everyone one more time. I'm originally from California so I am looking forward to being back in my home state, and looking very much forward to being a part of this forum!

[aermotor]

You've got some stuff wrong in there so I will help you.

From what I understand, I will be doing the following:
-bring only 10 round mags
Yes

-Unload, lock slide open and put a lock through it (fortunately, i have a bunch of factory locks I never bothered to use from Florida!)
You don't need to do this, it just needs to be inside a locked hard sided case.

-Put weapons and empty magazines in a hard case that can't be opened when locked
Yes

-Lock said case with TSA approved lock
ABSOLUTELY NOT! You want a lock that ONLY you have a key to. You do not want to use TSA locks. Legally only you should have the key to open it. No one else is aloud to open the case once it leaves your possession. To do so I believe violates Federal law. They are also not aloud to put ANY identifiers on it that it is a firearm.

-Box of 9mil HPs in factory boxes - can I bring this in the same case?
Same case as long as they rounds aren't touching eachother. Each airline has a different weight limit on how much you can bring.

-Declare all of this at airport check-in
Yes

Take the time to watch this, it's well worth it and covers more than just traveling with guns. Lots of great info in here.



Here's also his Legal Help Sheet which goes over the basic laws and what Airlines cannot do even though some will try to: http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/legal_sheet.pdf

This is a PDF Summary of the video: http://www.defcon.org/images/defcon-...g_firearms.pdf

Welcome to Calguns!

[dwkfym]

Thanks!
By TSA approved, I meant those locks that say they are TSA approved, not one of their locks.

On the road, ammo and gun seperate, in trunk is good to go right?

[aermotor]

To reiterate, DO NOT use any lock that is TSA Approved! That is for standard baggage only, not for guns. Use some beefy locks, I use disc locks like these. NO ONE else can open the case when it is not in your possession. If they try and ask for your key so they can inspect it in a back room tell them you know that's against the law and to see a supervisor. You most likely won't have any issues though. Be Polite and courteous to all!




On the road, it can all be together in the same case/bag, just needs to be locked up. In the trunk it can all be lose if you want. You do not have to separate ammo from the gun. Just make sure a loaded magazine doesn't make it's way into the mag well.

[the_natterjack]

Any reason why he can't dis-assemble +10 round mags and keep in parts kits for use outside of California? Buy a bullet button for your AR15 and bring it with you, unless its listed by name?

Brian

[paul0660]

aermotor is correct.

Once your gun has been inspected, or simply has the big red sticker slapped on it (or placed inside the case, depending on the airline clerk), only you should be able to open the case. It should NOT be a TSA lock, which they can open with a special key. Other luggage, including the luggage the gun case may be in, should be locked with a TSA lock, because they, including foreign inspectors, have the "right" to inspect checked baggage anywhere, anytime. If you use a real lock they will bust it open.

If, after your case disappears behind the counter, they request to open it for whatever reason (once at San Diego they said the XRay couldn't see through it), ask them to bring it out. If they won't, request a LEO (airport cop) to take your key back to have it opened. TSA and certainly not the clerk are not sworn leos, and, despite this plan violates Federal Law, (as pointed out on THE RED CARD YOU JUST SIGNED), it is the fastest way to get er done.

[LoneWolf1]

Thanks!
By TSA approved, I meant those locks that say they are TSA approved, not one of their locks.

If the lock says TSA Approved on it, they have the ability to open it. DO NOT use one of these.

[Canucky]

^^^^^^
This is correct. BIL is a works for American airlines.

[aermotor]

Any reason why he can't dis-assemble +10 round mags and keep in parts kits for use outside of California? Buy a bullet button for your AR15 and bring it with you, unless its listed by name?

Brian

He can definitely bring in rebuild kits, just can't assemble them. DON'T PUT THEM IN YOUR CARRY ON! I made that mistake once and had to go back in line to check the bag

[dwkfym]

Okay, thanks for saving me from a big mistake of buying a TSA lock! I have a combo lock I can use. I have a friend who loves to pick locks; she tells me the type you listed is actually not easy to pick, although pickable like most locks out there.

I'll leave the AR for now, once I get situated and my wife flies in, I'll have her bring it. Thanks for the tips!

I'll see if I can get a case big enough where I can put all my mag parts, IDPA gear in it.

[Tom Slick]

From what I've read you should put your locked firearm case into another case that looks like regular luggage. That way it doesn't draw any attention by would be thieves.

[elsolo]

I have used TSA and non-TSA locks flying with pistols.

Have a spare lock in the guncase just in case the TSA guy cuts your lock off as they page your name to come open it for him, then you can't fly because you don't have a lock for the gun case anymore.

Whichever lock you put on the case, have a spare in it; bring both types just to cover your bases in case the airport employee insists on the other type of lock.

[aermotor]

From what I've read you should put your locked firearm case into another case that looks like regular luggage. That way it doesn't draw any attention by would be thieves.

I'd rather someone try and carry off a huge, conspicuous gun case than simply opening my luggage up and taking out a small pistol case which is easily concealable and for it to never been seen again.

If you do what you're saying, whatever bag it's inside of must remain unlocked or use a TSA lock. No thanks.

I have used TSA and non-TSA locks flying with pistols.

Have a spare lock in the guncase just in case the TSA guy cuts your lock off as they page your name to come open it for him, then you can't fly because you don't have a lock for the gun case anymore.

Whichever lock you put on the case, have a spare in it; bring both types just to cover your bases in case the airport employee insists on the other type of lock.

That's why I use locks that cannot be cut off easily. Good idea to carry a spare lock though.




The best thing you can have is some regular hard sided luggage like a Samsonite or a rectangle Pelican case, throw your firearms in there, lock them up and check them without worry.

[anyracoon]

Would it be legal to bring in Pre-Ban Hi-Cap mags for the hand guns that he has owned?

[dwkfym]

I did have a few beretta mags that were preban but sold them for some newer mags. This is because I 'solved' the pre-ban hi-cap mag problem by moving to America wayyy after the ban. Thus there is no way I can prove that I legally posses a pre-ban mag.