Airline Travel with your Handgun...what are the rules?

J

Justin Moore

New member
Hi All,

I am planning on flying home this Thanksgiving to visit my folks, and would like to take my pistol with me in my checked baggage. I was just curious what the "RULES" were. I understand that the gun has to be in a locked case, and that the suitcase itself has to be lockable and made of some type of impact resistant material. Mostly what I would like to know is:

1. What kind of hassle am I going to have to go through at the airport? I will be flying United :eek:

2. What are the actualy FAA regulations concerning carrying a gun in your checked baggage. I understand that several of the airlines tend to interpret this policy as they see fit, especially when it comes to putting stickers on the OUTSIDE of your bagge indicating that there is probably something inside worth stealing?

3. Who actually checks the gun? I would imagine they have one of the airport security officers come over and do it.

Anyway, anything you can tell me that would be of use would be appreciated. Thanks :)
 
As I remember what I have read, the hand gun must be unloaded, in a lockable hardcase in a locked suitcase. Plan on getting to the airport earlier than you normally would, do not hand your bags to the sky cap at the curb but hand carry them to the ticket counter, explain that you have an unloaded pistol(s) in your luggage want to know how to procede. If the clerk has an iq greater than that of a grape, he/she will contact a manager and they, you and your bags will be taked off to the side where the p[istol(s) will be inspected to make sure they are unloaded and safe. The red "steal me" tags go on the inside of the luggage by law. Coming home, the same deal. I believe you are restricted to only 5 handguns so if you wanted to carry the entire collection, you are out of luck.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited August 29, 2000).]
 
You can always tuck it in your waistband and create a diversion at the security gate. :p
 
I have done this twice now in the past few weeks. You need a lockable gun case for the handgun, and it should go in a larger suitcase for your gun's security. Ammo goes in its original case, and there is a weight limit, but it's like 11lbs or something.

Tell the person at the ticket counter that you're checking a firearm. They may ask you to verify that it's unloaded, but I doubt it. They will give you a tag, which goes in the lockable case with the gun. Lock it up, and put it in your suitcase. Off you go.

I would avoid United if possible. Lots of cancelled flights.
 
EricM,

I read the Federal Regs referenced in the above post, and don't see any mention of the tag they make you apply to your luggage. Is that just an airline thing, or something specific to law I wonder. I have heard some airlines are real d***heads and insist that its placed on the outside of your luggage :rolleyes:

Anyway guys, thanks for your help :D
 
27CFR178.31(b) states: "No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outsideof any package, luggage, or other container indicating that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.
 
Justin.

When I travel with a handgun I always carry
a copy of the applicable federal regs with
me. As you know, some counter folks don't
know the ins and outs. If you have the regs
you are more in control.
Demand to see the supervisor is there is a problem. That said, I've never had the slightest problem.
 
My experience has been that most counter people want to check that the gun is unloaded. Actually this may be a company requirement. However they have no idea how the gun functions. One lady fumbled for a while with my revolver until I showed her how to open the cylinder.

As mentioned previously the locked hard case is the key to hassle free travel. You'll usually be required to sign a statement that you are the only one with the key or combination to the lock, and that the firearm is unloaded.
 
My $0.02:

You want to:
1. Unload the gun, (and I'd even disassemble it for less hassle at the counter).
2. Lock it in a hard case (seperate from ammo.)
3. Lock it in a larger suitcase.
4. Get to the airport EARLY!!! (at least an hour on top of whatever).
5. Make sure the sticker goes INSIDE THE LUGGAGE!!!
6. Make sure the luggage is LOCKED.
7. See the luggage all the way out of your hands...


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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"

As seen in Atlanta's AJC, The Vent: "Let it be known that in this great metropolitan area that you might be able to get away with murder, but you'd better not bash a mailbox."
 
I frequently fly with Delta, and always check a handun. There has never been the slightest question or problem. The clerks are knowledgable of the rules, some wish to actually see the empty chamber, but most don't. The red tag goes inside the locked case, no exterior markings (or computer entries) for checked weapons. If you are a LEO actually carrying on the plane, then an entry is made on the passenger manifest. I usually arrive at the airport about an hour early, but I would do this in any case.

Bob Carr
 
I recently flew with United and American. American was trouble free. They asked me to fill out the tags. After filling them out, I stuck them in the case. The rep asked if the case was locked. I stated yes, and off my luggage went. They never looked inside my cases.

United was a tossup. In Pennsylvania, it went the same way as American. However, flying out of Springfield, Missouri was totally different. The rep behind the counter almost pee'd himself when he saw a pre-ban Colt AR15 Carbine. When I opened up my handgun case, it contained another 4 1911's. I thought he was going to faint.
 
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