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Checking a Pistol on a Flight
- Thread starter tdawg
- Start date
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
Your airline should have an instructions page specific to them. Search on FAA rules for guns.
Or someone probably has the url handy.
Or someone probably has the url handy.
As Glenn said, each airline is slightly different but the gist of it is - you show up with a lockable gun case with the magazine out (if applicable) and declare that you are checking a weapon. They verify that it is unloaded and you get your claim stub. Read the airline's policy carefully. I have read that some will allow checked ammo in your bag and others won't. To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any federal laws that prohibit checking ammo.
Here's the TSA's page on it:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
But you need to check with your airline, too, as their rules may vary. Also, as rgrundy suggests, please, please, please check the local laws where you may be landing or held over. One poor sod flying through Newark was thrown into the Star Chamber when his connecting flight was canceled and he had to claim his bags mid-trip and spend a night in a hotel. Ugly.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
But you need to check with your airline, too, as their rules may vary. Also, as rgrundy suggests, please, please, please check the local laws where you may be landing or held over. One poor sod flying through Newark was thrown into the Star Chamber when his connecting flight was canceled and he had to claim his bags mid-trip and spend a night in a hotel. Ugly.
The problem with places like NYC is not with connecting flights. The key is whether you will have control of a checked bag with a gun in it. If you fly from, say, Bangor, Maine to Miami, Florida but connect at JFK, no problem if the bag is checked through to Miami. But if you take the bag off in NY, then you are in control of the gun and in violation of NY law.
The same would be true if the flight to Miami is cancelled and you have to remain in NY overnight. The airline will take your bag off the plane from Maine and deliver it to you, whereupon you are in violation of NY law. (The nice airline will inform the police that you have the bag.)
The NYC cops just love to hassle and arrest anyone carrying who is not a NYC cop or a big cheese with political influence who was able to buy an NYC permit. Even police from outside the city are subject to arrest if carrying in the city; reportedly, NYC police have even tried to arrest FBI and Secret Service agents for carrying guns without a NYC license!
Jim
The same would be true if the flight to Miami is cancelled and you have to remain in NY overnight. The airline will take your bag off the plane from Maine and deliver it to you, whereupon you are in violation of NY law. (The nice airline will inform the police that you have the bag.)
The NYC cops just love to hassle and arrest anyone carrying who is not a NYC cop or a big cheese with political influence who was able to buy an NYC permit. Even police from outside the city are subject to arrest if carrying in the city; reportedly, NYC police have even tried to arrest FBI and Secret Service agents for carrying guns without a NYC license!
Jim
Ace_Breaker
New member
reportedly, NYC police have even tried to arrest FBI and Secret Service agents for carrying guns without a NYC license!
That would seem to conflict wih LEO having rights to carrying nationwide. I've never heard anything like that before. Is this first hand information or rumor? I'd like to see facts on that one.
As far as flying with a gun it's easy. I've done it numerous times to different areas around the country and never had a problem of any type. I just conform with the airline rules that will be listed on their website and be sure to claim it when you check in.
Here's one incident recently at LaGuardia in NYC.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...ckler-gun-possession-laguardia_n_1152439.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...ckler-gun-possession-laguardia_n_1152439.html
It's pretty simple. Just give yourself a little extra time...I've been through Dallas, Seattle and Atlanta; some times are quick others a little slower.
I use a small Stormcase and put it in my checked luggage bag. Typcially a Glock 26 with a few magazines and a plastic ammo case with 50 rounds of my my defense ammo.
I do tag the outside of my case with my name (and Army rank to look a little more "official") along with my cell phone number and email address. This is just in case they need to contact you for any reason.
I've had some open the gun case to inspect and I've had others just wipe the outside for residue testing. I've had a couple actually inspect the firearm to make sure it's unloaded and I've had others just ask me. To this extent, I pack a few long, bright colored zip ties and secure them through the barrel so it's easy to see it's unloaded.
Also, if your pistol case is inside your checked luggage, make sure it's sitting at the top and easy to access. They will still rifle through your checked luggage, but it's easier to keep your packed luggage from getting all messed up.
All my flights were point to point. It's good to know if your flight travels through a non-gun friendly state, but as mentioned, as long as you don't take control of your luggage you're safe. I can't confirm, but I've been told that if you were accidentally a lay-over in gun-restrictive state, the airlines can maintain control until your flight is rescheduled...you just won't have access to your checked-in luggage. You would also have to make sure you engage the airlines before getting your luggage dumped on you. Best to avoid those airports/states if possible!
ROCK6
I use a small Stormcase and put it in my checked luggage bag. Typcially a Glock 26 with a few magazines and a plastic ammo case with 50 rounds of my my defense ammo.
I do tag the outside of my case with my name (and Army rank to look a little more "official") along with my cell phone number and email address. This is just in case they need to contact you for any reason.
I've had some open the gun case to inspect and I've had others just wipe the outside for residue testing. I've had a couple actually inspect the firearm to make sure it's unloaded and I've had others just ask me. To this extent, I pack a few long, bright colored zip ties and secure them through the barrel so it's easy to see it's unloaded.
Also, if your pistol case is inside your checked luggage, make sure it's sitting at the top and easy to access. They will still rifle through your checked luggage, but it's easier to keep your packed luggage from getting all messed up.
All my flights were point to point. It's good to know if your flight travels through a non-gun friendly state, but as mentioned, as long as you don't take control of your luggage you're safe. I can't confirm, but I've been told that if you were accidentally a lay-over in gun-restrictive state, the airlines can maintain control until your flight is rescheduled...you just won't have access to your checked-in luggage. You would also have to make sure you engage the airlines before getting your luggage dumped on you. Best to avoid those airports/states if possible!
ROCK6
Can anybody enlighten me on, or point me to, the rules for checking your handgun and ammo on a US flight?
I've checked handguns through airines a couple of times.
Generally, the requirements are:
1. Pistol must be unloaded, magazine unloaded and out of the gun, in a locked case.
2. Any ammo must be packed in a separate bag in checked luggage.
3, Declare at the check in counter that you have a weapon and present the locked case for inspection. You'll be issued a claim check.
4. At the destination, you claim the cased pistol at the counter.
As others have already mentioned, be sure to look over the regulations for the airline you're traveling on for any additional steps exclusive to them.
chris in va
New member
I just did a round trip from Ky to TX.
The ticket agent said wait 15 minutes in case the TSA had any questions. Nobody said anything or even came out to look in my bag so I boarded and picked up my checked bags in TX without issue.
Now DFW is a much larger airport. I notified the ticket agent like before, but this time she had me wheel the bag to a dedicated TSA room with X-ray machines. The rude agent took the bag and didn't say anything, just looked at me. I asked if anything else was needed, she said "you're done".
My bag was on the carousel like all the other bags, no 'claim check'. They gave me a plackard stating the gun is unloaded etc, that's it.
The ticket agent said wait 15 minutes in case the TSA had any questions. Nobody said anything or even came out to look in my bag so I boarded and picked up my checked bags in TX without issue.
Now DFW is a much larger airport. I notified the ticket agent like before, but this time she had me wheel the bag to a dedicated TSA room with X-ray machines. The rude agent took the bag and didn't say anything, just looked at me. I asked if anything else was needed, she said "you're done".
My bag was on the carousel like all the other bags, no 'claim check'. They gave me a plackard stating the gun is unloaded etc, that's it.
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Hi, Ace Breaker,
FYI, even New York State Police are NOT allowed to enter NYC while armed without prior arrangements being made. Even out-of-town police on official business (e.g, prisoner extradition) must turn in their guns to the NYC police on arrival and get them back at the plane on the way out.
There is no "LEO right to carry nationwide." While most jurisdictions extend that "courtesy" to LEOs from outside the area, it is not universal and is not a "right." Some state license laws make exceptions for "foreign" LEOs, some do not or only recognize carry on official business. Most commissions are "in and for" the jurisdiction; a LEO does not normally have any police powers, including going armed, outside his jurisdiction.
There is a federal law (I forget the official name) that allows retired police to obtain what amounts to a federal permit to carry, but getting one is a hassle and some jurisdictions simply won't grant it or don't recognize it. The same is true of the FOPA; some jurisdictions advise their police to arrest anyone found with a gun in the vehicle and "let the suits worry about it."
Jim
FYI, even New York State Police are NOT allowed to enter NYC while armed without prior arrangements being made. Even out-of-town police on official business (e.g, prisoner extradition) must turn in their guns to the NYC police on arrival and get them back at the plane on the way out.
There is no "LEO right to carry nationwide." While most jurisdictions extend that "courtesy" to LEOs from outside the area, it is not universal and is not a "right." Some state license laws make exceptions for "foreign" LEOs, some do not or only recognize carry on official business. Most commissions are "in and for" the jurisdiction; a LEO does not normally have any police powers, including going armed, outside his jurisdiction.
There is a federal law (I forget the official name) that allows retired police to obtain what amounts to a federal permit to carry, but getting one is a hassle and some jurisdictions simply won't grant it or don't recognize it. The same is true of the FOPA; some jurisdictions advise their police to arrest anyone found with a gun in the vehicle and "let the suits worry about it."
Jim
Ace_Breaker
New member
There is no "LEO right to carry nationwide." While most jurisdictions extend that "courtesy" to LEOs from outside the area, it is not universal and is not a "right." Some state license laws make exceptions for "foreign" LEOs, some do not or only recognize carry on official business. Most commissions are "in and for" the jurisdiction; a LEO does not normally have any police powers, including going armed, outside his jurisdiction.
Thanks for the response, but this information isn't correct. Look at the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act, signed in 2004 by President Bush, allowing current and retired law enforcement to carry concealed in any jurisdiction of the U.S. which supercedes local laws. It's common knowledge where I work that LEO can and do carry throughout the states. I find it hard to believe any local officer is going to arrest another cop and break Federal Law. Check it out.
Be aware that individual airline employees are not always well-versed in either the laws or the rules. Each time I've checked a gun, the experience has been a bit different.
I would not check a "gun case" alone; put the gun, in its own locked case, in another piece of checked luggage. The airlines appear to be concerned about someone accessing the gun in flight, while I am concerned almost exclusively with theft, and checking a gun case is asking for the gun to be stolen.
At least the airlines no longer put a large, "There's a gun in here!" sticker on your luggage.
I would not check a "gun case" alone; put the gun, in its own locked case, in another piece of checked luggage. The airlines appear to be concerned about someone accessing the gun in flight, while I am concerned almost exclusively with theft, and checking a gun case is asking for the gun to be stolen.
At least the airlines no longer put a large, "There's a gun in here!" sticker on your luggage.
I did it recently with Virgin, on this end they took me to a special TSA check-in counter where I had to show that the gun was unloaded and then lock it in a box. They did not care about the ammo. I've heard that some places require the ammo to be in a different box so I used two plastic boxes that came with may guns and locked them with two wire trigger locks, wrapped around the handle.
In LA they checked the gun at the normal counter, but there they did require the ammo to be locked in a separate box.
None really got upset or scared when I told them I am checking in a gun. It took about 2 extra minutes.
In LA they checked the gun at the normal counter, but there they did require the ammo to be locked in a separate box.
None really got upset or scared when I told them I am checking in a gun. It took about 2 extra minutes.
Ace_Breaker
New member
James K,
I was kinda looking forward to your response. I think what you were talking about was prior to 2004, but I would think with your tenure on the gun forum you would have heard about this federal law. Especially since you presented your information as first hand knowledge. That is part of the problem with the internet and information sharing. You never know what you are actually going to get. I remember carrying to Dallas and then on to Orlando Florida(pre 2004). I used to call all of the jurisdictions and ask them about my carrying in their area. Dallas welcomed me with open arms while Orange County said I'd be arrested if found with a CCW. Now things have changed. I carry where I choose to and have never had a problem.
I was kinda looking forward to your response. I think what you were talking about was prior to 2004, but I would think with your tenure on the gun forum you would have heard about this federal law. Especially since you presented your information as first hand knowledge. That is part of the problem with the internet and information sharing. You never know what you are actually going to get. I remember carrying to Dallas and then on to Orlando Florida(pre 2004). I used to call all of the jurisdictions and ask them about my carrying in their area. Dallas welcomed me with open arms while Orange County said I'd be arrested if found with a CCW. Now things have changed. I carry where I choose to and have never had a problem.
Before moving from AZ, I had opportunity to check a handgun with me from AZ to Atlanta, and another from AZ to Charlotte. Had no trouble with either one.
However, what causes me pause is what would occur if your flight was not either to end in NYC or even change planes there, and something else happened. Like, say, a flight problem causing the flight to divert to NYC. From what I am reading here, NYC authorities wouldn't even relax in such a situation.
willr
However, what causes me pause is what would occur if your flight was not either to end in NYC or even change planes there, and something else happened. Like, say, a flight problem causing the flight to divert to NYC. From what I am reading here, NYC authorities wouldn't even relax in such a situation.
willr