This one is a little complicated: I am an active duty soldier nearing completion of a 3-year tour of duty in Germany. I have legally purchased a number of handguns (from other service members or thru my local Military Rod & Gun Club). All weapons are registered w/ Military authorities. Over the past 24 years, I have ALWAYS hand-carried my handguns (as checked baggage containing firearms) whenever I have conducted a move to a new assignment. Never a problem...I feel better having the weapons in my possession rather than risk theft or loss in a shipping container with everything else from my house. I have never been questioned or denied this means of transport by military or airline authorities...until now. My local military transportation office/military police customs office advises that "military members are no longer authorized to legally transport firearms back to the USA via the airlines" due to a change in "regulations by the BATF" (which supposedly took effect in Jun 2000). I am told that I MUST ship my firearms (via cargo ship) along with everything else I own (household goods, car, etc.). Can anyone shed some light on this? I have carried my weapons from Germany to USA on 2 previous tours of duty. I think something is not right...and no one can show me this alleged "BATF regulation".