Flying back with parts, double check my procedure

[JDPhx501]

So I will be flying home to California soon from my place in the Midwest on Southwest Airlines.

I have a bunch of AR15 parts to bring back with me: PMAG rebuild kits, Upper receiver, barrel, buffer tube, buffer.

I plan to put these all in my CHECK-IN luggage, locked.

Do I need to declare that I am checking in gun parts?

And am I good to go on returning with the mags disassembled?

[dieselpower]

SouthWest is spotty with regard to firearms. My advise is to over-react and declare them. You can not get in trouble for declaring things you didnt...but you can be charged with a felony for not doing it. Bring a hard sided suit case, since its federal law to only secure firearms and things defined as firearms in hard sided cases.

Remember a flare pengun is a firearm for air travel.

[JDPhx501]

I have a stiff-walled roller. Will that count as a 'hard-sided suit case'?

I have the TSA friendly locks too.

[-hanko]

...

Do I need to declare that I am checking in gun parts?

And am I good to go on returning with the mags disassembled?

No, but you would declare if you had the lower receiver.

The mags, disassembled, are fine.

have a good flight

-hanko

[edgerly779]

Put in checked baggage. Lock the baggage. Only frames/ lowers/ firearms need be in locked hard case and declared.

[Intimid8tor]

It all depends on how much want to argue.

Are the barrels attached to an upper? Doesn't really matter, but sheeple perception could be different.

I would declare that I have parts for firearms in my luggage, but no actual firearms or receivers. Whether or not you put them in a hardsided locked container inside your luggage or your luggage is a hardside locked container, that is up to you.

[Pinto]

I would try to find a way to UPS the stuff into California and avoid even a chance there might be a problem/delay.

You know anyone at home to recieve it for you? I imagine there may even be someone trustworthy reading this thread that would be willing to receive the parts and make sure you had them when you arrived.

[Chaos47]

I have a stiff-walled roller. Will that count as a 'hard-sided suit case'?

I have the TSA friendly locks too.

If you where declaring it then you would have to use NON TSA locks.
No one besides you is allowed access to a declared firearm. That is why you don't use TSA locks on one.

But since you are not declaring it then you have to use TSA locks. Because now adays you are not allowed to lock normal baggage with a regular lock.

This creates an issue, they will have access to your parts. Things do go "missing" I would never check something of high value such as an upper.

Don't they X-ray even checked baggage now adays? I bet if the screener see's a barreled upper they are going to freak. Hell just a receiver tube would probably look like a pipebomb.

IMO mail it to yourself.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I would try to find a way to UPS the stuff into California and avoid even a chance there might be a problem/delay.

Just ship them to yourself.

[DFence]

Ship it all overnight to yourself. Avoid baggage handlers having sticky fingers and TSA who don't know what they are talking about starting trouble.

[pismopal]

As a firearm flier....send your stuff UPS. Declaring...at very best is a hassle..at worst..well...worse.

[JDPhx501]

Thanks for the advice. Also remembered that I am flying from a very corrupt, anti 2A city who's government run thugs don't take kindly to citizens possessing guns. Theres always the chance they'll give me hell at the airport for nothing so...Gonna just ship it back to my house in Cali. Theres always someone there to sign for it.

[tcrpe]

Good call.

[Capybara]

I just flew Southwest from Phoenix with two handguns I bought out there. Couldn't have been an easier, more pleasant experience.

[JDPhx501]

I just flew Southwest from Phoenix with two handguns I bought out there. Couldn't have been an easier, more pleasant experience.

The Windy City is a different world compared to Phoenix