Flying with Firearms

Non-stop probably helps, and going through airports that are use to firearms traveling, helps, too. A couple of years ago, we flew to CO, from WI, via MPS(MN). When we hit the ticket counter in MPS, the ticket agent wanted to visually see the pistols were unloaded, so he had me open the case at the counter. I thought the woman behind us was going to faint. OK, big red cable locks going through the mag well, and out the ejection port was an easy visual for the agent. Ammo was packed in the case. I locked the case with a non-TSA lock, per instructions, put it in a check bag(two pistol hard case), and locked the check bag with a TSA lock. Then I followed the bag to the TSA screening machine, it went through, and away I went. In DIA, they didn't even care to see the pistols, just sign the paper, put that in the check bag, with the pistol case, and put a TSA lock on the check bag. Then again they had me go to the bag screening area in case the TSA wanted the bag opened. I waited until the nice TSA agent told me all was good, and away we went. All of the advice to take extra locks, printed airline rules, and TSA regs, will be helpful if things don't go smoothly. As stated not all airline agents, and TSA agents, are gun friendly or even gun knowledgeable, so if things go south ask for a supervisor, and get out your regs/rules copies.

Squeeze
 
Last time I flew to a hunt. I put the guns in a TSA approved hard case. Made sure that I had the bolt open and the shot gun open. Brought the hard case to the check in counter. Told the ticket counter that I was checking a bag and a long gun case that had 2 firearms in it with bolts open. They had me step to the side and when the TSA agent came out to inspect it I had to stand on the other side of the rope. They checked the case signed a paper put the paper in the case and then they had me lock the case with my own locks they even let me put some duct tape around the case and locks. Placed it behind the counter with the other check bags and told me that I would have to go to lost luggage and pick it up there because it was not going to be sent out with the other checked bags on the turn table. It was very easy.
 
I noted that a lot of the early posts on this (over a year ago) mention that TSA cuts their non-TSA locks.

I take between 20-30 flights/trips a year, and I always take my carry pistol with me, even if I'm not taking a long gun for hunting. I USED to have problems with TSA cutting my locks...

A couple years ago, I printed tags to hang on my locks, with a big red "STOP" stop-sign logo, plus a statement reminding the TSA inspectors that they have no right to open this case and that TSA locks are not allowed on firearms. The back of the tag includes the TSA firearm case locking instructions. I also taped a copy of the TSA instructions to my case, with a big red "attention TSA inspector" header - again, reminding them of their own agencies rules.

I haven't had a lock cut off of my firearms since I started doing that. When I did have my locks cut, the inspectors always left their "inspection notice" card in the cases, and I did my job by letting the TSA know that they were not following TSA protocol.

The tags seem to work. They're a bit big, but it saves me from buying locks, and saves me from having some slack-jawed jackass playing with my guns in transit.
 

Varminterror, can you post photos of how you did the STOP tags, statement to TSA inspectors. It might be good for all of us to see. Sounds like your method worked.
 
I believe the the regulation being referred to is an FAA reg, not TSA.

You can use whatever lock you feel comfortable with, as long as it/they prevent access to the firearm. I've seen a lot of people put a single lock in the middle of a cheap case. That firearm is in no way secure and should not be allowed on the plane.

At no time should a lock be cut, Sentry lock or otherwise, unless the case needs to be opened, and every attempt has been made to reach the owner. I think this becomes a problem at cat X airports where the baggage screening area is not in close proximity to the checkpoint and/or gates.

All checked bags, including firearms, are subject to a search. The only reason a LEO would get involved and your firearm be handled is if the firearm was believed to be loaded. A LEO will aslo be called for improperly packaged ammunition. Ammo needs to be in it's original box, or a box made for ammunition, not loose or in a mag.

The proper way the check in with a firearm is to go to the ticket counter, inform the ticket agent you are flying with a firearm. Fill out the declared slip declaring the firearm is unloaded. Place the slip in the case, lock it, and give it to either the airline or TSA, depending on how the airport is set up. If it's a large airport I'd recommend a Sentry (TSA) lock. If it's a smaller airport and you can see your bags getting screened, by all means use a regular lock.

If I left anything out, feel free to ask.
 
Out of curiosity, does anyone have any experience flying with firearms as a "TSA PRE-CHECK" status? I'm wondering how the procedure might be different.
 
Originally Posted By: gareyOut of curiosity, does anyone have any experience flying with firearms as a "TSA PRE-CHECK" status? I'm wondering how the procedure might be different.

checking the firearm in is no different. the difference is don't have to take off you shoes so they can smell you stinky feet when you go through the scanner.
 
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What you've been told about different airlines having their own rules is good. Check them out. Alaska Airlines allows 50 pounds of ammo in checked luggage. Imagine the look on the TSA lady's face when she opened my duffle and was greeted by two cases of shotgun ammo. She looked at me. I then told her the price of ammo in Bethel is twice what it is in Anchorage, and since most folks out here are poor, I give boxes to people I know are in need. Same as putting food on the table. They appreciate the gift. She just smiled and zipped my duffle closed without any other comment.
 
I started this thread last year as I was flying out of Milw. Wi to Dallas Tx. As it was mentioned check out the airline that you will be flying on. I used a good hard case like a Pelican, I used my own locked, arrived early incase there were issues, but there were not. Notified the counter I had a firearm, and they gave me a form to fill out, which was placed in the case, carried over to the baggage TSA agent and all was good. My guns arrived in Dallas with no problem, I needed to go to the office to retrieve them when I got there....zero issues for me
 
Originally Posted By: wolverines I've seen a lot of people put a single lock in the middle of a cheap case. That firearm is in no way secure and should not be allowed on the plane.


I found that rules are not consistently interpreted or enforced.

I have two Pelican 1750 cases. One has two places for locks, the other had four. The first time I flew SWA from Phila to Den (Nonstop)I took the two lock case with a TSA lock on each end. No problems.

The next year, because the two lock case had a bad wheel, I packed the four lock case. Keep in mind that these are identical except the four spot case is newer. I used the same two TSA locks.

I checked it, filled out the card, handed it over and went on my way. An hour and a half later, I was paged and told that my case had to have four locks on it, a lock in each spot there for a lock. I showed the SWA worker a print out of the SWA policy that says "The locked container or suitcase must completely secure the firearm from access. Cases or suitcases that can be pulled open with minimal effort do not meet the locked criterion" not, "there must be a lock in every spot available". I asked the SWA attendant to pull up the policy on her computer to confirm that my info was correct. She refused.

I had to go back, buy two more locks, go back through security and missed my flight. Eventually the supervisor apologized and got me on a flight four hours later, telling me that the policy online is incorrect.

I wrote SWA about it, they never replied.

Three years later....the SWA policy still reads the same way. Only that it must be secured to prevent access, nothing about needing locks in every space.

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html
 
One thing I forgot to mention - when you walk up to a check-in counter, it's best to say "I'll be checking a firearm" rather than "I have a gun"....
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