Flying with a shotgun on Southwest

F

FoghornLeghorn

New member
My son is going to be visiting me in February. He wants to take his Remington 1100 home to California. He's flying Southwest.

Can he simply check the locked long gun case through? Specs on the type of case?
 
Here's Southwest's policy on firearms:

http://www.southwest.com/html/custo...ml#baggage_special_luggage_pol_tab_list_tab_7

Basically, a hard shell locked case that needs to be declared. The firearm must be unloaded. You cannot check them curbside, they must be done at the desk inside. You can put the locked case inside another suitcase, but you must retail the key to the case.

He is also going to be responsible for ensuring he is compliant with all laws on both ends of the trip.

I'd recommend a very tough case to ensure it isn't damaged... a good one is also going to be heavy so it will be tough to steal too. Still, there is likely to be extra fees depending on size/weight. I'd steer clear of cheap plastic cases.

It should go without saying, but DO NOT, under any circumstances, attempt to transport a firearm or ammunition in carryon luggage.

He could also look into just shipping the shotgun to himself... it might be easier/cheaper to do that, but I am not familiar with California's extensive list of firearm laws.
 
Yeah we'll, TSA informed me they have master keys that unlock just about every brand on the market. Sure enough, I found a 'love letter' in my locked case when I flew a few years ago. And yes I had the keys.
 
When he goes to pick up his shotgun at baggage claim he might first want to go to the Southwest baggage claim office to see how they're going to handle his shotgun. When it's obvious it's a guncase it sometimes won't be placed on the baggage carosole. Sometimes it'll have to be picked up at the oversize bags bin or a clerk will have retrieve it for him and verify his claim ticket.

Also make sure California law doesn't classify his 1100 as an assault weapon.
 
Yeah we'll, TSA informed me they have master keys that unlock just about every brand on the market. Sure enough, I found a 'love letter' in my locked case when I flew a few years ago. And yes I had the keys.
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They have master keys for the various TSA locks, not all of the others - they will simply cut it off - had that happen over a bottle of duty-free rum.
 
And HE keeps the key for the locked gun case and it CANNOT be a TSA lock.
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I use TSA locks on my all gun cases when flying - no problems.

I had a TSA combo lock that wouldn't unlock - all it took was a pair of pliers to easily snap the hasp off.
 
Then you are violating the law
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I e-mailed TSA a few years ago to inquire about the use of TSA Approved locks on guncases. TSA replied that TSA Approved locks are acceptable and I've never had any problems declaring and checking my guns with TSA at any airport (I travel extensively with my guns in and out of Orlando) with TSA Approved combination padlocks on my guncases. In fact TSA changed its website a couple of years ago to delete the statement that "only the person who checks the gun has the key or combination and no one else."

There is no prohibition against using TSA Approved locks on guncases. See the section under: "To avoid issues that could impact your travel and/or result in law enforcement action, here are some guidelines to assist you in packing your firearms and ammunition:" at - http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

The reason why I use TSA locks is this: "TSA must resolve all alarms in checked baggage. If a locked container containing a firearm alarms, TSA will contact the airline, who will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and advise the passenger to go to the screening location. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft." I don't want to arrive at my destination only to find out that my gun(s) is still at the origination airport because of a SNAFU.
 
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It's isn't explicitly forbidden but it is forbidden by implication and TSA agents are (supposed to be) trained that TSA locks are not acceptable on gun cases.

Look what the rules says:

TSA must resolve all alarms in checked baggage. If a locked container containing a firearm alarms, TSA will contact the airline, who will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and advise the passenger to go to the screening location. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
If a locked container alarms during screening and is not marked as containing a declared firearm, TSA will cut the lock in order to resolve the alarm.

Why would they not just check the bag like they do every other bag but in this case require the passenger's presence? Because they don't have a key and they are not allowed to access a declared firearm without the passenger present.

Why does it say they will cut the lock if it's not declared? Because they're not supposed to have a key and they don't know it's a firearm.

Note that in other places discussing "ordinary" checked bag, they specify that they may "break unrecognized locks", clear recognition that a normal bag may or may not have a TSA lock.
 
Why would they not just check the bag like they do every other bag but in this case require the passenger's presence? Because they don't have a key and...
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...cutting/breaking the lock to inspect the contents means the container would thereafter be "unlocked" and it would not be in compliance with federal law, and it would not be placed on the plane.

Why does it say they will cut the lock if it's not declared? Because they're not supposed to have a key and they don't know it's a firearm.
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It's because they'll treat it like any other bag that doesn't contain a firearm - they'll cut/break the lock if necessary. (When I pack my locked pistol case inside my bag Southwest tapes the declaration tag to the outside of the pistol case. When I fly with a long gun the declaration tag is placed inside the long gun case.)

(I prefer flying with a gun on Alaska Airlines as their declaration tag is done in duplicate and they staple the copy to my bag claim receipt so I have proof it was properly declared.)
 
Well, I did the job for more than 2 years. You'll either trust me or not. The training is that TSA locks are not to be on locked gun cases. NO ONE is supposed to be able to access a locked gun case except the passenger.
 
In early 2011 TSA e-mailed the following response to me in regard to my query about the use of TSA locks on my gun cases:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding travel with firearms using Transportation Security Administration (TSA) - recognized locks.

On flights that originate in the United States, passengers may transport a firearm in accordance with 49 CFR §1540.111 under the following conditions:

• the firearm must be unloaded; • it must be in checked, not carry-on, baggage; • it must be in a locked, hard-sided container; and • it must be declared to the airline.

Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases, including TSA - recognized locks. However, TSA does not recommend or endorse any specific brand or type of lock to use on firearm containers.

We encourage all travelers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips prior to their trip. Our Web site, www.tsa.gov, has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist with preparing for air travel.. Passengers can go directly to these tips at www.TSATravelTips.us.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center
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