Flying with a Firearm

[cowboykjohnson]

Good info guys, this would make good sticky material.

+1

[shane]

Outdoor world/Bass pro shops, Gander Mountain... Most larger gun shops will have a nice locking case.


http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...05000_425-5-10

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...05000_425-5-10

http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...3&merchID=4006

There there is this thing..
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...3&merchID=4006

Just some Ideas

Thanks for everyone's advice and information. I now feel like I have a clear understanding of the procedure that will take place and feel less nervous about everything. I ended up going with the second option there.

[spleify]

So, you need two different locks? One on the gun case, and one on the suite case?

Are other airports the same when traveling back?

Thanks

[bjl913]

So, you need two different locks? One on the gun case, and one on the suite case?

Are other airports the same when traveling back?

Thanks

Regulations say you gotta have one on your gun case, and it would just be foolish to not put one on your suitcase with a firearm or anything of value in it if you are checking your bag! Its like shipping something and not taping the box shut! lol

[spleify]

Regulations say you gotta have one on your gun case, and it would just be foolish to not put one on your suitcase with a firearm or anything of value in it if you are checking your bag! Its like shipping something and not taping the box shut! lol

That makes sense! Thanks

So do other airports work th esame way when you are traveling back?

Thanks

[bjl913]

for the most part. Some may have different methods of paging if they need you after you check the bag. or they may have different ways or places doing the xray. on my way back from sarrasota fl, they either didnt xray the bag in my presence, or did it right there where i checked it, I never had to escort my bag or anything. Usually they are really clear about any special instructions like where to take your bag for xray, or what to listen for on the paging PA system if they need you.

[Jer]

I always always ALWAYS print the TSA on firearms. Lately it's been much easier as more people learn to do their jobs but when the rules first passed it was a PITA flying with firearms because most didn't know how to do their job and if you told them you were THAT guy. You print their own web page instructions and it's pretty hard for them to argue. I fold it up and keep it in my back pocket... just in case. I haven't needed it for years.

I use a Winchester handgun case which has three layers of foam. I generally travel with my wife so we both use the factory locks to lock both of our slides in the open position. I then use a double mag carrier for both of our mags which are loaded with the carry ammo. If you read the TSA it states that it needs to be either in the factory ammo box or in a magazine with something covering the top. I put the mag carrier on top of the bottom foam piece with a piece of foam between it and the pistols with the top piece naturally being inside the lid. This is the easiest for me and if you review the rules until you have them memorized and say at the counter 'I have firearms to declare' it generally goes pretty smooth. If they ask to see I open it, lift the lower foam to show them the secured ammunition and then the firearms on the top and close it up. It's the classic 'act like you know what you're doing' even if you don't and life will be smooth.

They will look at it (some don't even do that any more) and make you fill out tag which goes INSIDE of the gun case. You then lock it up and at this point I ask them if anyone needs to inspect them because that is something I do NOT allow when I am not present. I will allow anyone else in the chain of command to inspect them fully in my presence but I make it clear that that case is NOT to be opened when I'm not around or the airline will be responsible for the contents should they come up missing or damaged. In short, once I lock it it's to remain closed/locked until I open it again either at my destination or in front of security. The locked hard-side gun case then goes back into my locked checked check baggage w/o ANY sort of indication of a firearm on the outside of that one and goes where the rest of the checked baggage goes. Simple as that. Each airport is different in this process but in the end it's all about the same. DIA will have you walk to a special room where TSA scans all the firearm items and has you stand by. They then ok it and load it onto a cart where it's taken to be with the rest of the bags. Baltimore for instance has you sit and wait for 10min before you go through security in case they want to open it. They tell you to wait 'over there' and if you haven't heard from them in 10min you're free to head to security. Some smaller ones just throw a tag in it, throw it in your suitcase and send you on your way. This is the way it should be because you're already declaring a firearm so what else could they be looking for? Shouldn't they be more worried about the other 90% of the people who aren't declaring to have anything? I'm already calling all sorts of attention to myself which would be the LAST thing a terrorist or anyone breaking the law would want. I digress.

I haven't had a single issue arise yet. Most people you check with these days are pretty used to it now so they breeze through it pretty quickly. I don't suggest showing up and shouting 'I have a gun!' as you remove a loaded heater from your waistband as this could delay things slightly.

[Byte Stryke]

I don't suggest showing up and shouting 'I have a gun!' as you remove a loaded heater from your waistband as this could delay things slightly.

ROFL
Unless of course you are looking for a good time with a total stranger wearing a rubber glove!

[SigsRule]

I took my Sigs with me over a dozen times to Houston with no problems with the check in process as described above. BTW, if you get a locking case with a combination lock that's okay. Here's the one I've traveled with a lot - and no those aren't Sigs.



One other note, the only trouble I've ever had was going out of DEN with a Comp-Tac holster and magazine carrier in my carry on bag. The firearms, ammo and magazines were checked as described in this thread, but I didn't have room for the holster and magazine carrier in the soft bag that the locked pistol case was in. They said it wasn't allowed and filed an incident report before sending me back out to check my carry on bag with the holster.

Nowadays I print the TSA and airline policies just in case. There's absolutely nothing that says a piece of plastic that just happens to be a holster can't be carried on - but I didn't argue with TSA when it happened.

[jerrymrc]

One more thing to add is that if you are going to fly with long guns be very careful to measure and purchase the smallest case you can. Last year I went to a match and discovered that my case was 4" too big. On UNITED that meant an extra $175 each way.

I discovered this after I had bought my tickets. Check the oversize trigger and weight limits for the airline you are thinking about. In my case the only thing that saved my $$$$ was a Military ID. They waved the fee.

TSA cases for long guns are not cheap. The guys at the TSA were very good in my case. My return from portland with the camo FAL and the red AK went like this. Are they unloaded? YES. open it. Oh my...... That is an FNFAL? yes. you can.......... Damn those are nice...... close it now and lock it.