Who has flown with a handgun?

Ammo rules vary by carrier. Check with your airline. My experiences have been positive for the most part.

Many.times, no hassle. Go to the Delta desk, drop my Delta Medallion Award Card they come.to attention and.say how can we help you sir? I sit my cases on the counter. Hand them pre filled out forms and they go ahead and get me a boarding pass while there. Back pre 9/11 I actually arrived at locations twice to realize had pistol in my carry on that had forgotten to remove. Bet those days are gone.

9mmepiphany said:

That usually won't work, you have to be a bit more obvious. I usually say, "I have a handgun in my luggage to check in"

I've flow all over the country with my handguns while teaching and it has been very smooth...only had on place that they needed me to open the case (FL)

I usually fly with Southwest and Continental and try not to fly through NY or DC airports

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Well... A serialized item isn't ALWAYS a handgun...

I flew from Omaha, NE to Pittsburgh, PA to go deer hunting with my friends. I carried a Remington 7mm magnum in a rifle soft case along with a S&W Model 19 .357 Magnum packed inside. I carried the rifle/pistol and boarded the plane. The pilot zipped open the case & the .357 fell out. No one had checked the gun case prior to boarding. The pilot placed the gun case in the cockpit and I picked it upon landing.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the year was 1971; a trip down memory lane to let some of you know how different things were then.

I climbed on a plane in Seattle, WA with 3 pistols in my coat pockets, a rifle in a soft case, a shotgun in a soft case and another rifle in a scabard as carry-on. Flew Alaska Airlines to Anchorage, caught a flight to Fairbanks and then changed airlines to Nome and then out to Granite Mountain. Of course this was in 1966.

I checked in to American Airlines in San Diego and the counter lady said I'd have to check my Old Timer 1040T pocket knife through luggage. The only box she could find was a rifle box, so that little pocket knife went into it and it was all taped up for the trip to DC. That was in 1986.

Pops

With regards to ammunition packaging, it can go in the case with the firearm itself. To satisfy the packing requirements, the origainal factory packaging will usually work. Some factory boxes are flimsy enough that you want to wrap them in tape. It's not fun to hunt for 100 loose pistol catridiges inside a Pelican rifle case. Also, you can leave your ammo in the magazines as long as they are outside the gun. I put tape over the tops and that has always satisfied the counter rep that they are securely packaged.

armedandsafe said:

I climbed on a plane in Seattle, WA with 3 pistols in my coat pockets, a rifle in a soft case, a shotgun in a soft case and another rifle in a scabard as carry-on. Flew Alaska Airlines to Anchorage, caught a flight to Fairbanks and then changed airlines to Nome and then out to Granite Mountain. Of course this was in 1966.

I checked in to American Airlines in San Diego and the counter lady said I'd have to check my Old Timer 1040T pocket knife through luggage. The only box she could find was a rifle box, so that little pocket knife went into it and it was all taped up for the trip to DC. That was in 1986.

Pops

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Interesting, I lived in Nome in 1966 and now I live in Coeur D Alene ID. Looked up Granite Mountain, looks like a bit of drive from Nome. Was that by plane, I don't remember roads going that far from Nome itself?

I bought a box of 38 shells for less than $10.00 in 1967 when I was only 9.

I flew from Louisville to DFW and back last year.

Going out was easy, declare unloaded handgun in my Pelican case and it was sent through X-ray. No TSA agent showed up.

Coming back was different, they told me to wheel my bag to the TSA office around the corner. I stood there for ten minutes before realizing I had to "ahem" for someone to show up. She was terse...took my bag and ran it through a machine. She stood there looking at me and I said, "Do i need to take it back to the counter" and her answer was "no".

Now five years ago I flew to Huntsville AL. The counter guy thought I was LEO and handed me a form authorizing me to carry a loaded firearm on board. He got a bit flustered when I gently corrected him. TSA took over and used a wood wand to inspect my case. When I got back, my bag didn't come out on the carousel. 45 minutes go by and just as I was about to have a chat, I noticed my bag was stuffed in a corner. Inside was a TSA 'love letter' stating the contents of the bag were inspected.

It has been a non issue in my experience. When you check your bag, notify the person at the counter. They will want to see it, someone from TSA will want to see it, and it should only take about 5 extra minutes.

John3921 said:

It isn't a TSA req't , but it is a DOT requirement that ammo is limited to 5 kg (about 11 lbs). I've never heard of anyone being called on it - but it is the rule.

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I was asked about this coming out of DFW last Friday... first time it has happened to me.

chris in va said:

I flew from Louisville to DFW and back last year.

Going out was easy, declare unloaded handgun in my Pelican case and it was sent through X-ray. No TSA agent showed up.

Coming back was different, they told me to wheel my bag to the TSA office around the corner. I stood there for ten minutes before realizing I had to "ahem" for someone to show up. She was terse...took my bag and ran it through a machine. She stood there looking at me and I said, "Do i need to take it back to the counter" and her answer was "no".

Now five years ago I flew to Huntsville AL. The counter guy thought I was LEO and handed me a form authorizing me to carry a loaded firearm on board. He got a bit flustered when I gently corrected him. TSA took over and used a wood wand to inspect my case. When I got back, my bag didn't come out on the carousel. 45 minutes go by and just as I was about to have a chat, I noticed my bag was stuffed in a corner. Inside was a TSA 'love letter' stating the contents of the bag were inspected.

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DFW TSA always puts the notice in my bag while I watch them inspect the suitcase. Most of my trips to and from DFW have been quite pleasant with TSA, cheerfully asking me what kind of gun I have, some chit chat about their preferences. I have no doubt you will encounter the occasional aloof agent.

It has been awhile since I have flown with a gun. I don't think you can carry loaded magazines. The ammo has to be in an original box or one designed for ammo.....chris3

sean326 said:

If this works it should be a pic of my pelican case with 2 AR's, a PS90 and 3 pistols and about 500rds of ammo from my last trip to Gunsight from PA.

Really it's a piece of cake, just declare it at the ticket counter, have it in a nice travel box like a pelican, ammo in original ammo boxes.

The only two things that kinda made me nervous was having to open the case in front of the ticket counter and having the black guns get more than a few gasps from my fellow travelers. And having $8,000.00 worth of guns and optics come out on the regular carousel and go round and round till I grabbed it.

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YEEE HAAW! That is a big box of fun!!!

John3921 said:

You're the only person that is supposed to be able to lock / unlock them. When they escort you to the TSA table you're supposed to hand them the key, they unlock and inspect, and relock the case and return the key to you. This is another rule that even TSA isn't clear on.

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It is also a rule that you are not clear on. You don't hand the key or combo over to them, that is against Federal regulations. If they want the case unlocked/opened then the passenger unlocks it, never giving the key/combo to anyone.

49 CFR 1540.111
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...v8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.9.2.10.6&idno=49

§ 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.

(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;

(ii) The firearm is unloaded;

(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and

(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

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ball3006 said:

I don't think you can carry loaded magazines.

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Airline dependent. Most airlines allow loaded magazines, if the magazines are in a pouch, or there is some other covering over the top of the magazine so there are no rounds exposed on top.

The best thing you can do is to print out the airline carrier's rules and carry them in your pocket. Fully expect that the airline employee at the ticket counter has never seen a gun before and has no idea what the company rules are and may pass out when they see a real gun. Seriously. They are supposed to check the gun to ensure it is unloaded BEFORE they have you sign the tag that claims it is unloaded but most of the time they don't even want to see the gun. Make sure they place the tag INSIDE the gun case and not on the outside of the luggage. When you step to counter and announce that you need to declare a firearm MAKE SURE they DO NOT ASSSUME that you are an LEO. They have done this to me several times and you will get to start all over again once you get them to understand that you are not an LEO. As far as the TSA goes, you have a much bigger problem - the TSA does not know their own rules either and generally just make them up on the spot. I believe the TSA may actually have a printed book with all of the rules in it but I do not believe anyone in the TSA has ever actually seen this book. But they will treat you like a criminal if you question anything they demand. Just keep smiling and do not lose your temper. These people can absolutely ruin your day if they don't like your attitude. As stated above, keep the key in your possession no matter what anyone else says. If they want to open the case make them come and find you. Air travel has become so stupid now that I will not ever fly again until the TSA is done away with. I actually used to enjoy flying before all this insanity started.

Drail said:

They are supposed to check the gun to ensure it is unloaded BEFORE they have you sign the tag that claims it is unloaded but most of the time they don't even want to see the gun. Make sure they place the tag INSIDE the gun case and not on the outside of the luggage.

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1. There is no requirement for anyone to verify the gun is unloaded. Usually, TSA can see if the gun is unloaded on xray, especially if the slide is locked back in the case, or a cable is installed through the magazine well.

2. The best place for the declaration tag is OUTSIDE but near the gun case, inside the luggage containing the gun case. The declaration tag will show up on xray, and if TSA desires to verify that the declaration tag is signed by the passenger, they can open the outside luggage, without the passenger being present, and verify the tag is signed without disturbing the locked gun case. TSA locks should be used on the luggage containing the gun case locked with standard, non-TSA locks otherwise TSA will just cut the lock on the outer luggage and enclose the cut lock with their notice of inspection in your luggage.

This procedure has been my experience - and what folks I know who travel frequently experience:

Use a NON-TSA approved lock. While many will tell you to use a TSA approved lock, this is actually prohibited by 49CFR 1540.111, the regulation that governs firearm transportation. It should be noted that the TSA usually allows the use of TSA locks but in reality they are not legal as they are designed to be opened buy a TSA master key, which is expressly prohibited by the above regulation. The TSA will ask you to unlock the case or provide them a key (do not give them the combination if a combination lock is used), then they will visually inspect the packing of your gun, after which they will either have you re-lock your case or they will re-lock it and return your key. TSA agents are not trained or allowed to handle firearm, so no contact should me made in that manner. If an agent feels the firearm requires in-depth inspection, they must have a law enforcement officer come over to perform that function. If re-inspection is deemed necessary after the bag is checked, they will locate the owner and have them open the case again, so it is wise to remain in the area or on the aircraft after checking the firearm. Buy the best non-TSA locks you can find.

My limited experience has been that the TSA guys will not allow you to touch the case once it's in their hands. They want you present when they open the case and re-lock the case with your key. I didn't use the combo lock - just the key locks on my case. When we flew to a shoot in Phoenix the TSA guys had no problem touching/inspecting some rather expensive shotguns.

Edit: Navy - you are of course correct that you and you alone should have the key and you and you alone should open the case on TSA direction - I'm not sure TSA is consistent about it though!

John3921 said:

The case has to be locked and not openable by prying up on something like a corner.

The locks are supposed to be NON-TSA locks. You're the only person that is supposed to be able to lock / unlock them. When they escort you to the TSA table you're supposed to hand them the key, they unlock and inspect, and relock the case and return the key to you. This is another rule that even TSA isn't clear on.

It isn't a TSA req't , but it is a DOT requirement that ammo is limited to 5 kg (about 11 lbs). I've never heard of anyone being called on it - but it is the rule.

Also I've heard of people being hassled for ammo not being in factory boxes. Technically any box designed for ammo should be legal (like an MTM case for example) - but not everyone is clear on their rules. I know skeet shooters that have had partial boxes confiscated, and one airline that refused to allow empty hulls.

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The TSA have changed their regs on this. Here is an excerpt from an email I received from the TSA information center last week:

Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases, including TSA - recognized locks.

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In fact there is at least one rifle case manufacturer that has begun providing TSA approved locks on their products (we carry it at Cabela's).

Having said that, the best practice is not using the TSA approved locks; use a lock for which only you have the key.

As for transporting ammo, TSA regs require that it either be in the original box (preferably securely taped shut) or in a case specifically designed to transport quantities of ammo (again, preferably securely taped shut). If there is any question, copies of these regs can be downloaded from the TSA web site and presented to airline employees and TSO's for clarification.

Written by a former TSO.

ezkl2230 said:

The TSA have changed their regs on this. Here is an excerpt from an email I received from the TSA information center last week:

Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases, including TSA - recognized locks.

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In fact there is at least one rifle case manufacturer that has begun providing TSA approved locks on their products (we carry it at Cabela's).

Having said that, the best practice is not using the TSA approved locks; use a lock for which only you have the key.

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TSA may have changed their internal regulations, but Federal regulations contained in 49 CFR 1540.111 have NOT changed. I would choose to comply with Federal Regulations, rather than TSA internal regulations:
Current as of February 26, 2013:
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...v8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.9.2.10.6&idno=49

§ 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.
(c) In checked baggage. A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under § 1562.23 of this chapter:

(1) Any loaded firearm(s).

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—

(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;

(ii) The firearm is unloaded;

(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and

(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

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The Federal regulation requiring "only the passenger retains the key or combination" certainly does NOT mean "Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases"

A few times... but I didn't have to check it or anything. It helps when you're the one flying the plane.

So I'm going to be taking a trip from NC to AZ this spring, and I'm going to bring my carry gun with me.

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As a matter of fact, I flew from CLT to PHX last September. I announced to the ticket agent, discretely, that I needed to declare a firearm. I was prepared with copies of everything I could find to print. I allowed an extra hour. The ticket agent said, roughly, "OK, fill out this form and sign it. Here, put this copy on top in your bag. Thanks." The whole thing took less than two minutes.

Upon my return, at PHX, the ticket agent escorted me and my bag to TSA and a nice lady there did essentially the same thing. Even with the trip to TSA, I doubt it delayed my trip more than ten minutes.

It was all pretty easy.

just flew today. I went from Jacksonville international to Kansas city for a work training course. I went to the counter and told them I needed to declare an unloaded firearm. I showed them it was unloaded and filled out a tag that went inside the suitcase. the only thing that sucked was being told my original case was not good enough as it could be opened up a small crack. that meant I had to buy a case from the airline (generic pelican style) for $40. that was the high point of the entire flight, no tsa check or losr luggage.

I've had problems with the ticket agents making up rules, like requiring a second bag for ammo. She claimed it was not allowed in the same bag. I was only checking one bag.
Carry print outs of both the airlines rules and TSA rules. I've needed them twice.

Another time an agent told me to carry my bag to security and declare it there. TSA told me to carry my bag to the plane. I refused and I would not approach the metal detectors. I told them there was a declared firearm in that bag and I would not carry through or touch it on the other side of the metal detectors. They scolded the ticket agent for telling be to carry it to security. Apparently she was supposed to alert them I was coming with a firearm. Dumb procedure, IMO.

Miami airport makes you do everything twice (happened at least 4 times). First you declare it at the ticket counter. Take it to TSA security, they look at your paper work and x-ray it. Pass, they take the bags, then I go on into concourse. Then I get paged to go to a different TSA security desk to fill out the same paper work again, open the bag again and x-ray, again.
I have heard the same story from others about Miami.

They all act like this is a big hassle and your getting special treatment for being "allowed" to do this, but their lawyers know they have no choice. It is a right, and their refusal could destroy their claim to be a "common carrier". It dates back to stage coach laws called "contract of carriage". The terms for flight is still called that and still under the old laws. If they refuse you because of a firearm, you can sue them and they can lose their flight privileges under "contract for carriage".

NavyLCDR said:

TSA may have changed their internal regulations, but Federal regulations contained in 49 CFR 1540.111 have NOT changed. I would choose to comply with Federal Regulations, rather than TSA internal regulations:
Current as of February 26, 2013:
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...v8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.9.2.10.6&idno=49



The Federal regulation requiring "only the passenger retains the key or combination" certainly does NOT mean "Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases"

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Interesting. I sent an email back to the TSA to ask them why there is a discrepancy between the CFR and their regs. The CFR directive is what we used to tell passengers when I worked for the TSA, and now that I am working for an outfitter and many of our customers travel extensively, I want to be sure the information with which I provide them is accurate. I will be very interested to see what kind of a response I receive.

Avoid flying with ammunition if you can. If not, follow the same guidelines for flying with a handgun. I have flown with handguns from Atlanta to Boston and back. But not ammo.

1: Declare at counter. Clearly state that it is unloaded. Have the case unlocked and unlatched because they will probably verify it. Some just throw it through Xray to see if its unloaded. Don't let ANYONE tell you that they need the key/combo to the case. Especially TSA. That is for you and you alone.

2: The case you use has to be hard sided, with at least 2 locks (combo or key), and cannot be "Flexed" with your hands. Non descript. No logos, stickers, names etc.

3. Place the gun case inside your checked luggage. Harder to loose between the counter and plane.

4: Depending on the airport, get there 2-3 hours early to get through the process of checking a firearm. I was able to fly out of a smaller airport on a connecting flight to Atlanta with firearms and only got their 45 minutes before my flight. Print out the TSA and/or airline procedures on firearms. Because they rarely know their own practices. Just in case.