How do you get a legal gun from point A to point B when flying?

[uberman]

I have flown a lot on commercial airliners. For whatever reason I've not flown since 911. I've been told that your not allowed to lock your luggage these days. I'm not planning a trip, but I used to live in Alaska, guns are handy there. How does a person fly on a commercial airliner and move a gun from point A to point B? This question is keeping me awake.

 

[Sqube]

Firearms and ammunition may not be carried by a passenger on an aircraft. However, unloaded firearms may be transported in checked baggage if declared to the agent at check in and packed in a suitable container. Handguns must be in a locked container. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked luggage. Amounts may vary depending on the airline.

Source

 

[LethalWolfe]

What Sqube said. Just make sure to get to the airport a little earlier than usual. When I flew w/a pistol the lady at the counter had to send the gun down the conveyer belt to some TSA dude for some reason (to confirm it was a gun? I dunno) before she gave me my ticket and that took like 10 minutes.


Lethal

 

[uberman]

So, you guys are saying a locked gun case is permitted? I don't see any other way.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: Sqube

Firearms and ammunition may not be carried by a passenger on an aircraft. However, unloaded firearms may be transported in checked baggage if declared to the agent at check in and packed in a suitable container. Handguns must be in a locked container. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked luggage. Amounts may vary depending on the airline.

Source

I read through that link and saw this.

"The handgun must be UNLOADED.
This is probably a federal law requirement"

lol are they too lazy to look it up?

 

[uberman]

BlancoNino

I read the link, but often what is the printed law and what actually happens in real life differ. I was curious as to actual experience.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: uberman
So, you guys are saying a locked gun case is permitted? I don't see any other way.

IIRC, locked & unloaded gun in case, unlock case for person behind ticket counter, fill out little form, form goes in case, case locked up, sent down the line for x-ray (I assume), case goes on as checked luggage.

I would strong suggest buying either a heavy duty case or a case built for air travel. The last thing you want is for someone to pry open one side of the case w/a screw driver (or something similar) and steal your firearm.


Lethal

 

[JDMnAR1]

In addition to standard federal guidelines, you should also check with the airline you will be flying as they may have different requirements. As an example, here are Delta's regs.

 

[Amused]

Sure.

Just carry it loaded in your waistband. Be sure to pull it out and wave it around for all to see at the security checkpoint.

You'll be fine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: uberman
So, you guys are saying a locked gun case is permitted? I don't see any other way.

I'm sleepy this morning. Nevermind.

I'd call the airline and ask. You will probably need to have it locked in a case and not be able to take any ammo for it.

 

[Chiller2]

I would also maybe see about some kind of insurance as it could get "lost" on the way.

 

[FoBoT]

i have seen guys checking guns at the airport, this isn't rocket science
you can't lock the case as they have to inspect it and ensure the gun is not loaded with ammo

 

[harrkev]

I have done this. The only problem is that you need to allow more time for check-in. Using Southwest Airlines, they had a bunch of fast lines, and one long, slow line. Guess which one I had to stand in?

Have your firearms in a hard-sided lockable case, and have a lock for it. Procedures very by airport. In Orlando, I just had to show the case to the check-in person. After I showed her the contents, I locked it, and she escorted me to the X-ray machine, where my bag jumed to the front of the line. In Boise, I never open my bag at check-in, but was escorted to the security guy, who inspected my bag. He even looked under the foam. I was present, but I was not allowed to touch my bag. Then, he locked it for me and sent it on its merry way.

Really, this is the safest way to carry anything. If you have an expensive camera or jewelry, stick those in with the firearms. They still might get lost, but those bags get extra-special attention. Also, because it is locked, you do not have to worry about some TSA yahoo stealing your valuable stuff.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: Sqube

Firearms and ammunition may not be carried by a passenger on an aircraft. However, unloaded firearms may be transported in checked baggage if declared to the agent at check in and packed in a suitable container. Handguns must be in a locked container. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked luggage. Amounts may vary depending on the airline.

Source

I read through that link and saw this.

"The handgun must be UNLOADED.
This is probably a federal law requirement"

lol are they too lazy to look it up?

No, they say that when carrying a gun in luggage it is recommendable to keep it unloaded. It might be a federal law requirement or not, but as they don't want anyway to let you with loaded guns (even in checked baggage), they won't even look into it

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: harrkev
Really, this is the safest way to carry anything. If you have an expensive camera or jewelry, stick those in with the firearms. They still might get lost, but those bags get extra-special attention. Also, because it is locked, you do not have to worry about some TSA yahoo stealing your valuable stuff.

great idea, buy a cheap handgun so that you can have a nice carrying case for thousands of dollars of unrelated crap

:thumbsup:

 

[biggestmuff]

It's no biggie. LethalWolfe has the basic process.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: harrkev
I have done this. The only problem is that you need to allow more time for check-in. Using Southwest Airlines, they had a bunch of fast lines, and one long, slow line. Guess which one I had to stand in?

Have your firearms in a hard-sided lockable case, and have a lock for it. Procedures very by airport. In Orlando, I just had to show the case to the check-in person. After I showed her the contents, I locked it, and she escorted me to the X-ray machine, where my bag jumed to the front of the line. In Boise, I never open my bag at check-in, but was escorted to the security guy, who inspected my bag. He even looked under the foam. I was present, but I was not allowed to touch my bag. Then, he locked it for me and sent it on its merry way.

Good info. Do you need to prove that you own the gun or that it's registered?

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: harrkev
I have done this. The only problem is that you need to allow more time for check-in. Using Southwest Airlines, they had a bunch of fast lines, and one long, slow line. Guess which one I had to stand in?

Have your firearms in a hard-sided lockable case, and have a lock for it. Procedures very by airport. In Orlando, I just had to show the case to the check-in person. After I showed her the contents, I locked it, and she escorted me to the X-ray machine, where my bag jumed to the front of the line. In Boise, I never open my bag at check-in, but was escorted to the security guy, who inspected my bag. He even looked under the foam. I was present, but I was not allowed to touch my bag. Then, he locked it for me and sent it on its merry way.

Good info. Do you need to prove that you own the gun or that it's registered?

Rules may vary by state, but I would say, no. Especially since some (most?) states don't require people to have proof of ownership of a firearm.


Lethal

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: harrkev
Really, this is the safest way to carry anything. If you have an expensive camera or jewelry, stick those in with the firearms. They still might get lost, but those bags get extra-special attention. Also, because it is locked, you do not have to worry about some TSA yahoo stealing your valuable stuff.

great idea, buy a cheap handgun so that you can have a nice carrying case for thousands of dollars of unrelated crap

:thumbsup:

As an amateur photographer, I have to admit that I find this idea appealing...

ZV

 

[EGGO]

Straight from TSA itself:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

* You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
* The firearm must be unloaded.
* The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
* The container must be locked.
* We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can?t contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
* 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.
* You can?t bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

 

[SuperNaruto]

You can lock your luggage with TSA approve locks.. was on trip with friends and they got non tsa lock and all had to clipped or removed.. mine went though w/o problem