Handgun travel on plane...no problem or not worth the hassle?

H

HK123

Moderator
Planning a trip and wanted to bring my CCW piece with me. My CCW is good in the state I am traveling to, I have read all the requirements about locked box/ammo limits etc.

My question is simply this. Is it just better to forget it and not deal with the hassle?
 
I have only done it a couple of times, but it was not really that hard.

I flew Delta, and here is how it went:

Unload your gun, place it in a small hard sided case.
Keep your ammo in the original manufacturer's box, and place in case also.
Lock case. Do not use a TSA lock, use something with a unique key.
Place small hard case inside your suitcase.
Proceed to ticket counter.
Check in.
Declare firearm.
Ticket agent will have you open case, and put in an orange tag stating the gun is unloaded.
Ticket agent will then escort you to TSA person.
They will open case, look at gun, and ask if its unloaded.
They swab the case, I guess for explosives, and put swab in a machine.
Then they will bring case to you to re-apply lock. You keep the key.
Then they will put case back in suitcase, and put suitcase on conveyor belt.

Thats about it. I didnt get hasseled, but I was flying from a small airport in Georgia to Salt Lake City, and back. It didnt freak anyone in Georgia or Utah out, but if you are from some weird place like California or Massachussetts, it might I guess.
 
I was planning to go from FL to WV and both have CCW laws and my CCW is good in both states.

I'm mostly worried about my luggage being "misplaced" and losing my gun.
 
Its possible they could lose your luggage, but unlikely. Delta will place a code on your bag that identifies it as a high value item. Supposedly they will give it extra protection. But I still would not bring an expensive gun.
 
I just did it for the first time and it was super simple. It might have added two minutes to the total check in time on each leg of the flights.
 
Taking a Gun On A Plane With You

Having traveled a number of times, here's how I go at it:

  1. Put the unloaded weapon(s) in a lockable hard-sided case with locks only you have the keys to open. TSA locks are not allowed.
  2. Check the airline(s) you are flying on:
    • Determine if the ammo MUST be in boxes OR can fly in loaded magazines.
    • If loaded magazines are permitted, make sure the pouches fully cover the magazines.
    • The round from the pipe(s) must be in a box, not loose.
  3. Secure and protect magazines and ammunition boxes from possible damage.
  4. Put the lockable hard-sided case with the weapon and the ammo/magazines into a cheap, non-descript bag - with clear labeling outside and inside - for checking in. The labeling should be limited to:
    • Your Name
    • Your Cell Phone - if you have one, or your home phone if you do not
    • Your personal email address - if you have one
    • NO ADDRESSES, JOB TITLES, ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE INDICATED
  5. Other stuff - like shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, could be in this checked bag also.
  6. Check this non-descript bag at the airport WITH the rules for the airline in hand.
  7. Make sure you have the keys to the lockable hard-sided case with you and you alone (Per Federal Regulations § 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals - http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...v8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.9.2.10.6&idno=49) at all times. You will have to open the lockable hard-side case to demonstrate to the airline that the weapon(s) are not loaded at check in, and if the TSA wants to see.
  8. Have the serial number(s) and descriptions of your weapons on you, so if they "disappear" you can immediately report the loss/theft to the:
    • airline
    • FAA Regional Office,
    • ATF Regional Office
Other things to consider:

  1. Check www.handgunlaw.us to determine:
    • If you can possess the weapon at all your stops.
    • Where and how you can carry at all your stops.
    • What are the deadly force rules in each state you are visiting.
  2. Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourRights/us letter.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.
 
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As for me, nowadays I do it every time. If anything the areas around airports are where you need to be armed more than any other part of town. I like the opportunity to educate people on CCW and carry rights, as often i'm the only person they may know with it so it makes a positive impact.
 
Go ahead and do it. I take a KelTec with me when not traveling on "business". Reliable, but cheap if it gets "lost".
 
TSA locks are not recommended because you are supposed to be the only person with access to the firearm.


As for getting a cheap gun in case it gets lost, that is why I bought my $369 used Glock 26. :)
 
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