Legally flying with checked in gun and ammunition...
- Thread starter Mokumbear
- Start date
spacecoast
New member
If they're going to steal it, they will take the whole case... duh. There is no external indication that a firearm is inside.
Yes and No. I put mine in original boxes, but they were all reloads and nobody cared or knew the difference. I sealed them all in a larger cardboard box (still inside the suitcase with the gun cases) and nobody even looked inside the carton. Just make sure the mags and guns (obviously) are unloaded. I even had to show the counter attendants how to make sure the chambers were empty before we locked the cases back up with the orange tags inside. These folks working for the airlines are not really trained in what to look for and if you are polite and calm they will be too.
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Doc Intrepid
New member
Perhaps "rarely use" might play a role. Some will undoubtedly travel more often than others.spacecoast said:
And we won't argue over thieves' capabilities - clearly if they want it badly enough they can take what they want.
But there have been occasions where I've locked the pistol case inside a hotel room or rental car - IOW not during airline travel - using a cable lock. Certainly the cable lock could be cut, if one had boltcutters, but its at least somewhat safer when attached to a stout pistol case such as one of these:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...=pistol+case&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products
If you travel a lot, and if you've put some thought and money into your carry gun, then paying out a bit up front for an item that will last for years and will offer substantial protection against your basic "target of opportunity" hotel room thief is worth the investment to me.
Your mileage may vary.
bedbugbilly
New member
I'll just throw this out on the ammunition. I just finished up a CCW class in Arizona a couple of weeks ago and transproting a weapon and ammunition via air was covered. This is what we were told in reference to ammunition. We were told that you are limited to 25 rounds and it must be in the original box as they will check the head stamps to make sure that the ammo matches the box. If it doesn't, it doesn't fly. The instructor and associates have flown many times and taken handguns and ammunition. This was their explanation of the law. They also said that you need to check with both the security people and the airline - and like anything else in this imperfect life - the two different explanations of what must be done don't always jibe. They also stated that a person had better brush up on the laws of their destination as to what is and isn't allowed. The one isntructor said that if possible, it might be less hassle to make arrangements at your destination to purchase ammunition - not always possible - but if you could, it would save the headaches. Some of you may disagree with what I've said and that's O.K. - I'm just passing on what the instructors told us. Wouldn't it be nice if it was the way it used to be years ago - strap on your gunbelt, hop on your horse and ride across county and state lines without a worry? 
I have flown several times with handguns and ammo. You have to declare the handgun and ammo at the airline ticket counter, open the locked handgun case and show them the weapon, place a provided orange tag in the handgun case, and then put the handgun and ammo is a locked suitcase. I've used both the manufacturer's hard plastic handgun cases and a NanoVault steel case. The suitcase does not need to be a hard case or metal. You are instructed to proceed to TSA Check-in and do it again, this time it's performed by the TSA agent. At some airports, an airline employee escorts you to the TSA Check-in; in others, you walk unescorted from the airline counter to the TSA Check-in area. Again, there are differences in how TSA does the check-in - in some, you are told to stay outside the security room and watch (airline employee stays with you); and in others, you open the suitcase and the handgun case, let TSA inspect it, relock it, return to the suitcase and relock the suitcase. I've transported ammo (100-200 rds) in manufacturer's cardboard boxes, no additional protection, and in the same locked suitcase. The suitcase is tagged by TSA and not reopened as it is handed over to baggage for loading.
I have no problem with the procedures - it's for everyone's protection; but I'm not clear why the airline counter wants to see the handgun first and orange tag it, when you're then simply instructed to proceed to the TSA Check-in and go through the inspection again. I would think the process can be streamlined by just declaring the handgun/ammo at the airlline counter, and being directed (or escorted, as in some airports) to the TSA Check-in for inspection.
Also, neither the airline counter person nor the TSA agent ensured that the handgun was not loaded. From one standpoint, I understand why they would not want to handle the weapon to check the chamber (both areas are not "Safe Areas", and in most cases, they're not familiar with the weapon); but not ensuring the handgun is empty seems contrary to the policy that loaded weapons may not be transported.
I have no problem with the procedures - it's for everyone's protection; but I'm not clear why the airline counter wants to see the handgun first and orange tag it, when you're then simply instructed to proceed to the TSA Check-in and go through the inspection again. I would think the process can be streamlined by just declaring the handgun/ammo at the airlline counter, and being directed (or escorted, as in some airports) to the TSA Check-in for inspection.
Also, neither the airline counter person nor the TSA agent ensured that the handgun was not loaded. From one standpoint, I understand why they would not want to handle the weapon to check the chamber (both areas are not "Safe Areas", and in most cases, they're not familiar with the weapon); but not ensuring the handgun is empty seems contrary to the policy that loaded weapons may not be transported.
This is by far the best and most comprehensive guidance on how to fly with a handgun or firearm in your checked luggage. I have it bookmarked for review when necessary.
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384
I've flown a couple times with my steyr 40. The first time I flew I locked it in its factory hard plastic case and I brought my ammo in a 50 round plastic reloaders style ammo box. I flew on Southwest out of Providence RI. When I got to the counter I told the agent that I needed to declare a firearm. I filled out the card and put it in the case and relocked it (two non TSA combo locks). That went into the duffel that I was checking, The bag was given to a baggage handler and then he and I were both escorted to a special inspection room. A TSA agent came and took the bag from me and went into the room and hand inspected the contents of my bag (while I watched through a little window) put in the courtesy card that my bag had been inspected and the bag was given back to the baggage handler and put into the normal checked bags section. The whole process took half an hour and everybody was very nice about it.
Interestingly I was the only person to handle the gun, when I opened the case for the ticket counter staff they did not ask me to open the action or prove that it was unloaded?
I had printed out both the TSA requirements as well as my airlines guidelines for flying with a weapon and made sure that I had followed both but also as a backup in case there was an issue I could sow that I had followed the rules.
Also from my recollection TSA says you can bring 11lbs of ammo and southwest just had guidelines and safe handling and appropriate storage of the ammo.
Interestingly I was the only person to handle the gun, when I opened the case for the ticket counter staff they did not ask me to open the action or prove that it was unloaded?
I had printed out both the TSA requirements as well as my airlines guidelines for flying with a weapon and made sure that I had followed both but also as a backup in case there was an issue I could sow that I had followed the rules.
Also from my recollection TSA says you can bring 11lbs of ammo and southwest just had guidelines and safe handling and appropriate storage of the ammo.
They don't know what they're talking about. TSA doesn't care what kind of ammo you have or if it matches the box label. It just has to be in a container made for ammunition (including magazines if packed as described below) and you are limited to 11lbs. I've flown numerous times with guns and ammo and my ammunition has never been checked or questioned. In fact, about half the time they don't even check my gun, just ask me if it's unloaded. This stuff isn't rocket surgery, they've kept it surprisingly simple and user friendly. Misunderstandings seem to come more from the "interweb experts" than the TSA or airlines so your best bet is always to go straight to the info they provide, which is readily accessible.
Here's the ammo rules from the TSA website-
-You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
-You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
-You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
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spacecoast
New member
That's nonsense, the airline I flew (Delta) never even looked at the ammo, let alone checking the headstamps or weighing it. How would they know what a headstamp is if they didn't even know how to check if the guns were loaded? Nevertheless, I made sure the 500 rounds I carried (mostly my 9mm reloads but also some .25ACP and .22LR) was under 11 lbs before I went. It couldn't have been an ounce over 10.9 lbs.
Doc Intrepid
New member
Thanks for posting that link.jkgruet said:
Thats the first time I've ever seen any guidance regarding locking the pistol case inside the suitcase, and its darned good input.
Appreciate it.
Doc
MashieNiblick
Moderator
allowable ammunition amounts vary from carrier to carrier
be sure to call your specific carrier(s) ahead of time to ensure your compliance
TSA locks on outside of luggage is a very good idea
check CCW laws for the states you will be traveling in
declare your firearms at check in
pack your gun in a locked box (preferably a keyed one (maybe with combination capability too)), supply TSA with the key (or combo) for a possible inspection, and they will return the key to you after inspection
if your ammo fits in the box as well, great
if not, put in another box with or without lock (i prefer an identical keyed, combo box). if you use a lockable box, this can then also be used in your hotel for small valuables such as your wallet, jewelery, etc.
Sentry had some nice ones at Cabelas not too long ago with electronic key pads, manual key override, and cables locks for like $20. quality products, but unfortunately i can't find them on the website now.
- MN
be sure to call your specific carrier(s) ahead of time to ensure your compliance
TSA locks on outside of luggage is a very good idea
check CCW laws for the states you will be traveling in
declare your firearms at check in
pack your gun in a locked box (preferably a keyed one (maybe with combination capability too)), supply TSA with the key (or combo) for a possible inspection, and they will return the key to you after inspection
if your ammo fits in the box as well, great
if not, put in another box with or without lock (i prefer an identical keyed, combo box). if you use a lockable box, this can then also be used in your hotel for small valuables such as your wallet, jewelery, etc.
Sentry had some nice ones at Cabelas not too long ago with electronic key pads, manual key override, and cables locks for like $20. quality products, but unfortunately i can't find them on the website now.
- MN
spacecoast
New member
Good article. I think he's a little bit paranoid about disassembling the gun and formally declaring in a calm voice that he has a legal firearm to transport according to regulations, but better to be too careful than not careful enough. Notice how the guy didn't buy some special expensive case for his gun, he used the original (one that could be cut open with a knife BTW). He also didn't fly with his most expensive gun, but one that could be replaced if for some reason it walked away. Common sense goes a long way.
In my case, neither of the agents who inspected touched my guns or acted as if they knew anything about firearms. Just be polite, smile, work according to the rules and you should be fine.
spacecoast, you do what you want.
Having worked at an airline, and watched baggage handlers treat luggage like the apes used to do in the American Tourister ads, I very strongly recommend a reinforced and well-padded case of some kind for anything valuable.
This includes handguns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=274442
This example is steel, costs $22.99 at MidwayUSA. I just did a search right now, and it's available at that price.
Your common sense says do whatever; my common sense says $22.99, or the cost of a box of ammo, isn't a bad price to armor up my handgun a bit prior to handing my luggage off to the baggage throwers.
Having worked at an airline, and watched baggage handlers treat luggage like the apes used to do in the American Tourister ads, I very strongly recommend a reinforced and well-padded case of some kind for anything valuable.
This includes handguns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=274442
This example is steel, costs $22.99 at MidwayUSA. I just did a search right now, and it's available at that price.
Your common sense says do whatever; my common sense says $22.99, or the cost of a box of ammo, isn't a bad price to armor up my handgun a bit prior to handing my luggage off to the baggage throwers.