FLYING WITH A GUN! Need some help

[Norsemen308]

To say the least...the opinions/advice on this subject is all over the place

I will be going on a hunting trip in the fall and have to fly with my weapons. I have thought of every other avenue but I feel this is what I have to do. I will be flying with a big bore AR and a bolt gun, I will have them both in a nice big pelican case. I have been told by several different sources that the lock you use is NOT a TSA rated lock, you lock it with something big and heavy and something no one but you can get into.

Problem one: when speaking to a TSA agent, I was told this is a no go, if they cant get into my case, it doesn't fly.

Rebuttal 1: I was told by a sheriff friend that they will do the inspection with me present (you request this) and then you lock it, with your lock and your good to go.

Problem 2: I was told you can place all your ammo in the same box as your guns and your fine.

Rebuttal 2: was told that ammo has to be in SEPARATE container to fly, also locked with TSA lock ???

At this point, I am going to probably send my ammo ahead via USPS or something, that way I dont have any problems with "explosives" or flammable items.

only thing worrying me is flying with the guns, I absolutely do not want anyone to be able to access my stuff without me being present

basically, I dont want to show up for my trip and have any hassles, on the plane, off the plane, back on, and home... thats what I want.

speak to me oooo wise calgunners (please respond if you have ACTUALLY DONE THIS, not your friends moms ex lover whose cousin flew during 'Nam)

[kielbasavw]

Shipping ammo usps is a no go.

[glockman19]

I overnight my firearms and ammo to avoid TSA nightmares. Usual trip is to Florida. I drop off at UPS at 5:00, Red Eye from 11:00pm-8:00am, firearms and smmo delivered by 10:00am, just after a shower and breakfast.

Firearms can be shipped via UPS as long as proper procedures are followed. In order to ship a firearm via UPS, both the shipper and receiver must be either: licensed to import/export, licensed dealers/manufacturers, law enforcement officials/agencies within the United States, or collectors with a valid license to possess firearms. Individuals within the United States that are not prohibited to possess firearms may also ship to valid, authorized individuals as long as they comply with state and local laws as well as packaging requirements. Firearms that fall in the category of automatic weapons are not permitted to ship via UPS. Additionally, UPS does not permit firearms to be shipped internationally.

[SuperSet]

You can use the TSA locks or your own. I prefer my own combo locks.

After declaring the firearm to the ticket agent, ill crack open my Storm case just enough to slide in the form. Then take the case over to TSA where they do the swab and I watch them lock it. You're done then.
Yes you can carry ammo in your case, as long as it's packaged.

All of this is on the TSA and your airline's website.

[edgerly779]

I fly all the time firearms and ammo go in same locked case with your lock not tsa. Ammo mus be in boxes designed to hold ammo or in mags. Never in firearm. You go to ticket counter they give you a form you sign and place inside locked hard case you take case to tsa and they have you open or not and they check that it is locked and take for placement as checked baggage. If the decide to open it again they will find you at gate or cut lock and put their own on it and you have to get from them at destination. This rarely happens.

[monkezuncle]

I did this about 7 times last year.

Pelican Case. TSA approved padlock through the eye hole. Ammo in the case, mags out of the gun.

Present it at check in. DECLARE IT AS UNLOADED FIREARM(s).

Get the orange (or occasional pink or green) tag. Fill it out. Slip it in case.

TSA guy comes out and collects it (usually). I always ask, please come and tell me we're good to go. Takes about 10-20 mins. They pop their head out, give me a thumbs up.

Variations on this scenario, they ask for my key to "check something" and then give it back. They ask for me to give the case to them unlocked with key and they lock it. More then once they come out and chat about guns with me for a few mins just shooting the bull.

Never had an issue.

Ammo must be in factory packaging or mag in mag carriers (not req'd but is letter of law for some airlines carriage agreements).

Tips: Keep a copy of current TSA AND Airline policy of guns in checked baggage. Note gun and ammo limits.

You can't switch flights once checked.

Enjoy!

[Untamed1972]

Speaking from personal experience (although procedures and new stupid TSA people come in everyday). You DO NOT put TSA locks on your gun case. Altho once, I was asked for the key so the contents could be inspected out of my presence, and after much arguing I finally relented. But again, it was non-TSA locks. They requested the keys, inspected the case and immediately returned the key to me.

TSA will tell you they should be, their webpage will tell you they should be, but FAA regs CLEARLY state they shouldn't be.

As far as inspection of the contents of the case it really depends on the airport. Besides the once when asked for the, out of San Diego, the ticket counter will ask you wait around for 15min or so. And if they dont hear anything from baggage check your good to go. The key incident only happened once, and I suspect it might have had to do with how I had the handgun packed in the case, might have made it hard for them clearly see it on the x-ray. packed it differently after that and went several times without an issue. I also put a label on the outside of my case just stating that "Per CFR-XXX only the passenger has keys to this case. if you need to inspect the contents call my cell XXX-XXX-XXXX".

As others have stated, ammo in a factory box, or plastic bullet case or mags is fine in the same case with firearm.

[Wildeman_13]

I have flown with firearms multiple times mainly on SouthWest but this applies to ALL airlines. TSA locks are NO GO! The only person who requires access to the firearm is you. Keep the case open then you declare the firearm at the ticket counter. The agent there will verify (only happened once) that it is unloaded. They will hand you a yellow card to fill out with your information and the required info that they are not responsible for loss or damages. You then LOCK the case with your non-TSA lock and usually are escorted to the TSA x-ray area where it is actually screened. Again... you DO NOT have to open the gun case for the TSA. It has already been "cleared" by the ticket counter. Worst case, you walk it over to the TSA area, show it is unloaded and that the card is filled out, then lock the case with your non-TSA lock and they take it. At no time should the TSA has access to the insides of the gun case. The TSA agent will then take the case and run it through the x-ray and give it to the baggage handlers like any other piece of luggage.

Ammo does need to go separate in checked baggage in it's original container or a proper ammo box or shipped. From my experience, ammo loaded in mags is usually OK, they just don't want loose ammo rolling around.

[Untamed1972]

I have flown with firearms multiple times mainly on SouthWest but this applies to ALL airlines. TSA locks are NO GO! The only person who requires access to the firearm is you. Keep the case open then you declare the firearm at the ticket counter. The agent there will verify (only happened once) that it is unloaded. They will hand you a yellow card to fill out with your information and the required info that they are not responsible for loss or damages. You then LOCK the case with your non-TSA lock and usually are escorted to the TSA x-ray area where it is actually screened. Again... you DO NOT have to open the gun case for the TSA. It has already been "cleared" by the ticket counter. Worst case, you walk it over to the TSA area, show it is unloaded and that the card is filled out, then lock the case with your non-TSA lock and they take it. At no time should the TSA has access to the insides of the gun case. The TSA agent will then take the case and run it through the x-ray and give it to the baggage handlers like any other piece of luggage.

Ammo does need to go separate in checked baggage in it's original container or a proper ammo box or shipped. From my experience, ammo loaded in mags is usually OK, they just don't want loose ammo rolling around.

I ALWAYS have loaded mags and/or box of ammo in same case with my pistol. Never had anyone say a word about it.

[sigstroker]

To say the least...the opinions/advice on this subject is all over the place

I will be going on a hunting trip in the fall and have to fly with my weapons. I have thought of every other avenue but I feel this is what I have to do. I will be flying with a big bore AR and a bolt gun, I will have them both in a nice big pelican case. I have been told by several different sources that the lock you use is NOT a TSA rated lock, you lock it with something big and heavy and something no one but you can get into.

No such thing. TSA (and probably most baggage handlers) has big-*** bolt cutters, and they LUVVVV to use them.

Problem one: when speaking to a TSA agent, I was told this is a no go, if they cant get into my case, it doesn't fly.

Rebuttal 1: I was told by a sheriff friend that they will do the inspection with me present (you request this) and then you lock it, with your lock and your good to go.

TSA can be different at every airport. Your experience flying out may even be different than flying back.

Problem 2: I was told you can place all your ammo in the same box as your guns and your fine.

Rebuttal 2: was told that ammo has to be in SEPARATE container to fly, also locked with TSA lock ???

Ammo can be in the same bag, but as others have pointed out, the airline usually spazzes out if it's not in a "factory box". If you don't have any, scrounge the trash cans at the range. Doesn't have to be the same caliber, just so the ammo fits.

At this point, I am going to probably send my ammo ahead via USPS or something, that way I dont have any problems with "explosives" or flammable items.

Less likely to have problems if you take it with.

only thing worrying me is flying with the guns, I absolutely do not want anyone to be able to access my stuff without me being present

Then you better charter a plane, because that ain't happening. Someone can go through your stuff anytime that it's out of your sight.

basically, I dont want to show up for my trip and have any hassles, on the plane, off the plane, back on, and home... thats what I want.

speak to me oooo wise calgunners (please respond if you have ACTUALLY DONE THIS, not your friends moms ex lover whose cousin flew during 'Nam)

You can do as the others have suggested, ask for TSA, etc, and hope it happens. Don't be surprised if it doesn't. Put locks on your stuff if you want, but expect them to be gone when you arrive. You might even want to buy two sets, and throw one set in your bags for the return flight home. Yes, I am cynical about the TSA.

Something I didn't see mentioned that I always do: Call the airline and ask them all about their rules on flying with firearms, It doesn't matter if you already know. The phone drone will look everything up and read it to you. Then ask them to put in a note on your reservation explaining that you will travel with firearms, etc, etc. The phone person will cut and paste all the procedures into that note. That way, the gate agent won't freak out when you show up with guns, which they usually do in California. You won't have to explain their own rules to her, which she won't believe anyway coming from you. However, she will consider the info in the note as gospel because it came from an airline phone drone.

[negolien]

easy

try calling the carrier you are flying

[Oksana]

http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/1540.111

[Supertac916]

^^^ That pretty much handles it.

I wouldn't worry too much about TSA handling or damaging the guns. They're tagged and monitored pretty closely.

[duckman1]

No such thing. TSA (and probably most baggage handlers) has big-*** bolt cutters, and they LUVVVV to use them.



TSA can be different at every airport. Your experience flying out may even be different than flying back.



Ammo can be in the same bag, but as others have pointed out, the airline usually spazzes out if it's not in a "factory box". If you don't have any, scrounge the trash cans at the range. Doesn't have to be the same caliber, just so the ammo fits.



Less likely to have problems if you take it with.



Then you better charter a plane, because that ain't happening. Someone can go through your stuff anytime that it's out of your sight.



You can do as the others have suggested, ask for TSA, etc, and hope it happens. Don't be surprised if it doesn't. Put locks on your stuff if you want, but expect them to be gone when you arrive. You might even want to buy two sets, and throw one set in your bags for the return flight home. Yes, I am cynical about the TSA.

Something I didn't see mentioned that I always do: Call the airline and ask them all about their rules on flying with firearms, It doesn't matter if you already know. The phone drone will look everything up and read it to you. Then ask them to put in a note on your reservation explaining that you will travel with firearms, etc, etc. The phone person will cut and paste all the procedures into that note. That way, the gate agent won't freak out when you show up with guns, which they usually do in California. You won't have to explain their own rules to her, which she won't believe anyway coming from you. However, she will consider the info in the note as gospel because it came from an airline phone drone.

Have you ever traveled with a gun?


I travel quite often with long guns and pistols and have never had a problem. I use my own locks not TSA, The firearm will be inspected in front of you or not at all. You are the only person to have a key and you must not use TSA locks. Ammo is to be in a container suitable to keep it contained ie. not lose.

Go to your airline website and print the instructions for travel with firearms, Go to the TSA website and print off their requirements bring both with you to the check in counter. Follow the instructions and you won't have a problem.

[Jimvh2]

Here's what is probably a dumb question.....

When you get to the destination does the gun / case just get sent out to the baggage carousel with all of the other luggage?
For those of you that have flown with a gun, does this worry you?

Same rules for rifles and handguns?



OK - I guess that's 3 dumb questions.