Frank Ettin
Administrator
Can we try to focus on the question:Can anyone answer the actual question the OP is asking?
wayneinFL said:
TSA- firearms definition?
- Thread starter wayneinFL
- Start date
Jim Watson
New member
No, Frank, I haven't done it and won't do it because it falls under the heading of picking a fight with city hall.
I am glad the minions of the petty tyrants have been nice to wayneinfl but that does not change the approach of the parent organization.
I am glad the minions of the petty tyrants have been nice to wayneinfl but that does not change the approach of the parent organization.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Having worked for TSA, I can tell you the official (technically correct) answer, which is that barrels/slides/parts are not firearms and do not need to be declared.
You'll notice in TSAs official guidelines:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
That they specifically differentiate between firearms and firearms parts but do not specify exactly any difference in handling.
In my mind, the implication is clear that parts are not firearms and do not need to be declared. Specific instructions are included for ammunition and magazines but not other parts.
What I can't tell you is how any given airport/officer/FSD will "interpret" the rules. Interpretation of unspecified regulations is the problem. Common sense is RARELY the first standard.
The most obvious thing in my mind would be to simply mail the thing. Inexpensive, easy and avoids problems.
Second most obvious and very likely to not be problematic, would be to simply tell the ticket agent that your bag includes a few firearms parts but NOT firearms. Let them deal it. If they think you should declare it, declare it. Have a lockable case ready per rules for a firearm.
The odds of a problem are small but would be rather inconvenient and worst case, expensive, on the off chance that you get sucked into a real nightmare.
Me, I'd mail it.
You'll notice in TSAs official guidelines:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
That they specifically differentiate between firearms and firearms parts but do not specify exactly any difference in handling.
In my mind, the implication is clear that parts are not firearms and do not need to be declared. Specific instructions are included for ammunition and magazines but not other parts.
What I can't tell you is how any given airport/officer/FSD will "interpret" the rules. Interpretation of unspecified regulations is the problem. Common sense is RARELY the first standard.
The most obvious thing in my mind would be to simply mail the thing. Inexpensive, easy and avoids problems.
Second most obvious and very likely to not be problematic, would be to simply tell the ticket agent that your bag includes a few firearms parts but NOT firearms. Let them deal it. If they think you should declare it, declare it. Have a lockable case ready per rules for a firearm.
The odds of a problem are small but would be rather inconvenient and worst case, expensive, on the off chance that you get sucked into a real nightmare.
Me, I'd mail it.
Last edited:
Frank Ettin
Administrator
I have no personal experience with traveling with gun parts either. But it lloks like we're not getting a whole lot of information.
If I understand you correctly, you'll be traveling with both the pistol and the conversion units. In your situation, I think I'd want to eliminate all doubt and avoid any possible hassle. So I'd just get the bigger case and pack the conversion units with the pistol and go through the usual drill.
If I understand you correctly, you'll be traveling with both the pistol and the conversion units. In your situation, I think I'd want to eliminate all doubt and avoid any possible hassle. So I'd just get the bigger case and pack the conversion units with the pistol and go through the usual drill.
Gun Parts are prohibited in carry on baggage. They must be in checked baggage.
See the link:
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List
it took me about 10 seconds to find this list on Google.
See the link:
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List
it took me about 10 seconds to find this list on Google.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Gun Parts are prohibited in carry on baggage. They must be in checked baggage.
See the link:
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List
it took me about 10 seconds to find this list on Google.
Shouldn't have taken 10 seconds since I provided the link in my last post.
The trouble is not whether the parts are "allowed" in checked baggage. The trouble is if the parts need to be declared.
The rule doesn't specifically say no and BELIEVE me, if it doesn't say no, someone in TSA will find a reason it implies yes.
maestro pistolero
New member
I once ASSumed that the definition was the same as BATFE, and attempted to carry on a stripped XD slide that I was taking to have sights installed. I was instructed to to place it in my checked luggage which they retrieved for me. They were nice about it, as they knew I was relying on the federal definition of what constitutes a firearm.