Traveling with Firearms.

[Cana1911]

Hey Everyone,

Just curious to know what would be best and the most safe way to travel with a firearm cross country if your flying? Should I check it with my regular bags or send it via FedEx/UPS?

I know that some airlines allow you to check in a firearm but what are the procedures or if you have done it what was your experience like?

I am traveling to South Carolina and have a connecting flight on the way there so I'm nervous that it may get lost and I'm SOL once I arrive. But any advice or instructions online would be helpful so I can travel and take down a Deer.

[dwtt]

You are less likely to lose your guns if you check them in when you fly than if you ups them. I don't know where this idea of sending the guns by UPS came from, but it's better to fly with your guns. I've done it over a dozen times and have not had any problems.
Guns, gun parts, and ammo have to be in hard sided locked container, and locked with a lock that only you have the key or combination to. Don't use one of those TSA approved locks that any TSA inspector can open.
Guns have to be unloaded
Ammo has to be in a container like the factory ammo boxes where each bullet is held individually in a compartment. Throwing ammo into a big can or container in bulk is not OK.
Declare the ammo and guns to the airline agent when you check in and fill out that orange disclosure form that you place into the container.
Look at the TSA website about their requirements, it's not hard to find.

[John M]

Ive flown dozens of times with no issues. Get a lockable case like a Pelican case. Attach that case to the inside of your suitcase with a gun cable (lock that comes with many new guns). Do not place TSA locks on you gun case, but do place TSA locks on the luggage. When you check in your bag, declare your gun(s). They will have you fill out a card and place that on or in the gun box (Depends on the airline). They will have you wait for approx 10 min while they scan your bag. As far as ammo goes, 11 pounds is the max you can fly with (About 300 rounds of 45). Each airline is different and TSA's policy may differ depending on what state your in. TSA cannot open your locked gun box without you present. Do not give them the key or combo. If for some reason they want the locked gun box open, tell them your happy to open it for them. I was flying out of OK and the TSA Mgr was not going to let me get on my flight becasue I would not give him the combo to my box, they used the TSA key to open my luggage. I asked for his supervisor and when she came down, instead of calling him out, she told him to take me in the back and have me open the box. Other than that one incident, I have never had any issues.

[Cana1911]

Awesome thanks for the info ill look into the TSA website for their requirements. Ive had my eye on getting a nice Pelican case so this should be the perfect time to get it! Always happy to get new toys for my toys

Well the reason I mentioned shipping my guns is because I've sent one via FedEx to the manufacture to have it serviced/upgraded items installed by the factory without voiding my warranty. I had no issues when I shipped it but since I have never traveled with a firearm (other than to and from the range) so I was curious about the best way to do so.

Also would you recommend that I take any copies of paperwork that show I am the registered owner? And if it would be wise to get insurance for my guns just incase they did happen to misplace/loose/steal my guns?

[John M]

As far as insurance, the Airline automatically insures each bag (I think $500 or $1000 each). An extra $1000 of insurance will cost you $10. It cant hurt to bring along paperwork that shows the serial number, make and model. I would print out a copy of the Airlines policy re guns, and TSA's policy. Many of their employees dont know their own policy.

The only thing i have against shipping guns, is its expensive...

[baggss]

I did this last Sunday out of LAX without a hitch.

Went to the Delta counter, declared the firearm, along with my other checked bag. The agent processed my other bag then asked me to open the pistol case. The Delta rep looked at the pistol in the Pelican case to make sure it was unloaded (never touched it) then had me sign the form. I put the form in the case with the pistol and re-locked it. The Delta rep directed me to the TSA agent where they do "special screening" but said TSA agent didn't want to look at my gun and took it back to the Delta agent and then put it on the conveyor with the other luggage. She did radio the "behind the scenes" folks and told them it was coming. She then wished me a nice day and went back to work.

My name and POC info is on the case but the TSA never contacted me. I also used the Delta Mobile APP to scan my bag tag receipts and track my bags so I could tell when each went on the plane in LAX and on the connector in Detroit. First piece of luggage that came out at my destination was the Pelican case.

[bill_k_lopez]

I've had the airlines lose (misplace) my checked guns coming in to LAX. Guns were missing for 2 weeks, but I did get them back.