Getting on an airplane

[dwtt]

having flown with guns recently, I think some information about the check in process at the airport is appropriate here. Bring your luggage and locked case to the airline counter and declare the firearm to be checked in. At some airports, like SFO, they will have an airline baggage employee take your gun case and bring you to the TSA room where a TSA inspector will ask you for the key to the case. You hand him the case, let him do his job, and he'll return the key to you after locking the case and handing it back to the airline baggage handler. At other airports, DCA, the airline person will take your gun case back to the TSA inspectors, and they'll ask him where the key is. The airline person will come out and ask you for the key and you wait in front of the airline counter until he returns with the key and confirms to you the gun case is on the conveyor belt. Make sure you are present to give the key to the TSA inspector or the airline person, and that you get the key back after they pass your gun case onto the conveyor belt.

[socalocalypse]

Take my advice with a grain of salt, but fwiw when in cali you can't be too catious.

I heard not to park at a post offiice with guns in the trunk. Its a good idea even if its not law.

If you take your handgun anyplace other than a gunramge in public, it needs to be in a locked hardcase. Softcases leave grey areas they can use to steal your guns and arrest you. Like when I'm walking to my car from my apartment, or from the street to mt friends house.

I keep handguns locked in hardcases in the trunk as well. Why give them a chance to steal and arrest if your car has fold down rear seats or a ski pass through.

Just my opiniin I'm no lawyer good luck

[KillerRabbit]

I fly to Camp Perry with my AR every year. Flying with guns really isn't a big deal. While I don't think it's required you do want to have it in a good locked case. Declare the firearm at check in and go with the airline person to TSA. You will have to sign a little form and put that in the case. You will probably have to show the person at the counter that it is unloaded. While FAA regulations do allow ammo to be in the same case as the firearm each airline has it's own rules and I don't think any of them allow ammo to be in with the gun. FAA does not have a weight limit on ammo but the airline industry standard is 11 pounds.
Dirk

[aermotor]

While I don't think it's required you do want to have it in a good locked case.
Dirk

What part is not required....? You absolutely must have it locked up.

[cabinetguy]

I never considered bringing a spare lock, I will file that away as good advice

[paul0660]

At other airports, DCA, the airline person will take your gun case back to the TSA inspectors, and they'll ask him where the key is. The airline person will come out and ask you for the key and you wait in front of the airline counter until he returns with the key

Which flies in the face of the declaration you signed. At least get a sworn LEO to take the key back:




I don't know if it is clear yet, but you do need a HARDsided case, locked with your own lock, and ammo in factory or other containers designed to store ammo can be in the case with the gun.

All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared.
Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of 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).
The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.

[dwtt]

Which flies in the face of the declaration you signed. At least get a sworn LEO to take the key back:




.

There's nothing contradictory at all here. The person has to be present to give the key to the inspector and to take it back when the inspection is done. If you've flown out of DCA, you would know that the TSA inspector is in a small area behind the airline counter and you cannot walk back there to give them the key. The airline baggage person will take your key from you and bring it back to the TSA inspector and return it to you while you wait. All of this is within sight of the passenger and there is no contradiction of any regulations. At other airports like SFO the passenger will be brought to the TSA inspection room and he will hand the key directly to the TSA inspector.