Flying with a handgun

[dh1633pm]

Never flew with a pistol. I have watched many a Fort Drum soldier at the Syracuse Airport Delta Counter open their hard cases that mostly had M4’s of different types inside.

 

[Old Dog]

Delta is one of the better airlines for checking firearms.

Unless you fly out of Sea-Tac.

I've never had TSA do anything but xray the case.

They will make you take your suitcase to a TSA inspection room, where you will again open it, unlock the gun case, search your suitcase and run swabs all around the inside of it. The general rule when flying out of Sea-Tac and checking a firearm is to add another thirty or forty-five minutes to the time you expect to wait in line at the ticket counter (can't check a bag with a firearm curbside) and the TSA security line.

Last couple times I flew out of Detroit Metro on Delta, the ticket agent didn't even have me open the gun case and show unloaded.

I don't know about all airports, but everywhere I've flown into during the past year now makes you pick up your bag in person, from an airline employee at the "oversize baggage" office. Don't look for your bag on the carousel.

 

[MEHavey]

What possible use is the swab doing for them ?
(I make the assumption the gun case/padding is full
of residue from any number of years of use)

 

[alfsauve]

Before 9/11 when the airlines ran security, and you could harass them, they would always swab my laptop when I flew out of Regan National (DC). As an experiment I rubbed my laptop, an original black IBM Thinkpad, with unique to the point it was filthy to the touch. Nada. The analyzer gave me a green light. Whatever they were looking for, Unique, wasn’t it. Good to know if you were in the bomb making business.

 

[Balrog]

I would think it would be appropriate to look up the TSA instructions, as well as the policy of the airline you're flying on.

I know, that just sounds goofy.

I have. Its not entirely clear, and as you can see from the posts in this thread, the policies seem to be inconsistently followed.

 

[Balrog]

The problem with ammo is the weight. esp with what airlines are charging for baggage now-a-days. If you know your going to do a lot of shooting buy your ammo at the destination.

I guess it might be easier just to buy ammo when I get there, and not have to bother with having to fly with it.

 

[herrwalther]

I have flown with sometimes a half dozen handguns in my checked luggage. As recently as a few months ago. The process is remarkably easy if you follow the basics outlined by TSA and the airline. Pretty much all the airlines have a similar flying policy with firearms.

Will they have me open the case at the ticket counter to inspect it?

Some do, some don't. Many ticket agents and security are just as happy to throw it on an Xray machine to verify it is unloaded. I like to run one of those cable locks they give out through the action inside the case. That way, even a Stevie Wonder Xray tech can see it is unloaded. If they do ask, just grin and bear having to dig it out of your luggage to do the process. Which leads to

Can I place the hard side gun case inside my regular piece of luggage or does it have to be separate?

I say yes. Sure it means you have less room for socks and underwear but it is more secure in my opinion. A case inside non descript luggage doesn't scream "Steal me! I'm a firearm" like a locked gun-sized case on a carousel does. It also gives thieves another layer to cut through if they happen to take your bag. Bluetooth trackers like the Apple Airtag and Galaxy Tag are great for travel and knowing where your bags are.

Bits and bobs advice. There is no such thing as TSA approved locks or luggage. Anyone saying different lies. The TSA does not have the time, manpower, and in some cases mental aptitude to test third party luggage and locks. Buy a good locking case, from a reputable company.
Print out the airline and TSA regulations the night before. Highlight the date printed and the portions relating to firearm and ammunition transport. Some agents are utterly clueless about their own company policies about traveling with a firearm. In the chance you get one, you can use the regs to your advantage, as long as you follow them yourself. I had one ticket agent say flying with a firearm was a felony, even in checked baggage. The printed regs in my pocket saved me from a screaming match and possibly the no fly list.

 

[Atavar]

This seems like bad advice

Only if you want to be arrested for unlawful possession.
If this happens you need to get the airline to forward your bag to somewhere that you can legally possess.

 

[Citadel99]

Apple Air Tag in the gun case. Easy ways to put in a place that can’t be seen. You’ll know exactly where your gun is at the airport.
Mark

 

[drobs]

I flew this time last year to Florida with the above and have flown multiple times with the above since 2019.

I've read on other forums of TSA needing to unlock the case and look inside. I've never needed to unlock my pistol case. The reason I believe that is so is because my pistol case is plastic and easily seen through in the X-Ray machine.

This is how I do it:

Guns are unloaded, mags are separate from the guns. Ammo is in the factory box (a plastic box would also work). I also put holsters and knives in with my pistols.

I use to keyed alike (non-tsa) pad locks on the case. I put the locked case into my luggage at home. At the airport I place my suitcase on the scale facing the attendant. I then tell the attendant working the check in desk that "I'm checking in a firearm."

They have always given me a card to sign that states the firearm is unloaded. That card goes in my suitcase on top of the cased pistol/s. The pistol case is never opened at the check in desk. The attendant then tells me to wait nearby in case TSA or LE needs to unlock the case. My longest wait has been about 15 to 20 minutes. Again, I've never been asked to open my pistol case.

I believe in flying with easily replaceable dime a dozen CCW handguns. If my Glock or Ruger got stolen, I'm not emotionally attached to them and can easily replace them. On another forum a member recommended attaching the pistol case to an internal support in your suitcase with a cable lock. That would make if more difficult for a baggage handler to steal your cased gun. Mmm, I figure if he can steel a handgun out of checked luggage, he could probably get a set of bolt cutters too.

RE not picking up your luggage in a place like NY, DC, etc if the plane is forced to land there? I agree, leave it at the airport. the airline will eventually get your luggage to you. NY has prosecuted people for handguns in their checked luggage that they picked up during a layover.

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/...g-for-new-york-but-unlawful-upon-arrival.html

 

[Roverguy]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

I strongly recommend putting an RFID tracker that works with your phone inside the case.

 

[Rule3]

Why not review the DELTA and TSA regulation???

https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/prohibited-or-restricted-items/ammunition-explosives-firearms

https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/special-items/sporting-equipment

 

[The Night Rider]

This seems like bad advice

It's not bad advice at all. A whole bunch of people have been rerouted to New York and then when they tried to recheck their baggage back onto the airline they were arrested.

If you're somehow rerouted to a non-gun friendly state you abandon your suitcase with the gun in it and the airline will send it on to your final destination.

 

[wayneinFL]

[
I believe in flying with easily replaceable dime a dozen CCW handguns. If my Glock or Ruger got stolen, I'm not emotionally attached to them and can easily replace them. On another forum a member recommended attaching the pistol case to an internal support in your suitcase with a cable lock. That would make if more difficult for a baggage handler to steal your cased gun. Mmm, I figure if he can steel a handgun out of checked luggage, he could probably get a set of bolt cutters too.

If they've stolen the bag, either they're going to steal the gun or throw it in the trash with the suitcase. You're not getting it back. One of my favorite airline guns is a Keltec P11. Not going to miss it if it's stolen.

I also carry everything in old Samsonite hard cases. They don't scream gun. I've checked a pistol directly in the case before, because it's a locked hard sided case that only I have the key to. And there's no rule saying I can't have my underwear in my gun case.

One time I went out of Atlanta I was at oversized luggage, so the TSA guy says "gun?". He put it under the x-ray and laughed. He called over a couple of other employees and showed them the AR, pistols, magazines, and ammo and explained why it was all legal the way it packed.

 

[The Night Rider]

This is probably the most accurate tutorial



Second video

https://www.youtube.com/live/yd6Cc1r7L40?feature=share

 

[Charlie98]

I've read on other forums of TSA needing to unlock the case and look inside. I've never needed to unlock my pistol case.

Exact same case I use.

No, I don't believe the TSA will 'need' to look inside your case... that's what the check-in is for, and why you lock it and keep the key. It's supposed to isolate the firearm's exposure to access or theft (theoretically.) TSA gets their chance to look at the firearm at check-in.... that's it.

I guess it might be easier just to buy ammo when I get there, and not have to bother with having to fly with it.

Traveling with ammo is no big deal... I put loaded mags and a box of ammo in my case, along with the pistol, much like drobs' photo above. It beats scrambling to find ammo and walking around with an empty pistol. Now, if you are going to a shooting match or something, I would still carry SD ammo with me, and then buy bulk ammo when I get to where I'm going, etc.

 

[Armored farmer]

I will post my recent airline travel with firearms. This was my first time flying with guns.
I walked up to the FULL SERVICE desk at Southwest. I stated that I wanted to declare a firearm. She filled out a form and asked me to sign and date. I opened the case at her rrequest. She glanced inside and said that I could lock it back up. She taped a paper to the lid of my pistol case while I locked it up and reattached my cable to the internal frame of my suitcase and stood it back on its wheels. She attached the baggage ticket to the handle of my suitcase and said, "thanks for choosing Southwest....have a nice flight". I inquired about where I would claim my bag and she said it would be on the carousel with all the others..and it was.

Now the interesting part is that I had very carefully packed two pistols and ammo and holsters into the medium pelican case. The pistols were actually under a layer of foam secured with cable locks and all that she had seen was my holsters.
I didn't ask questions and locked it back up.


On the return flight, I walked up to the young women at the full service desk. I declared that I had a firearm and she began filling out the form. I signed it and she taped the corresponding paper to my pelican case as I pulled my keys and asked if she wanted me to unlock it.
"Not unless it's really pretty, I like pretty guns" . I told her they were very ordinary. She finished marking my bag and wished me a nice flight.

That was it.
No problem whatsoever.

 

[obiwan1]

to wayneinFL:
I also use my KT P11 as my airline travel gun for the same reason. Recently bought a Taurus GX4 for the same purpose. I also like Samsonite hard siders. I have a large one without zippers that I use when traveling w/wife. Zippered bags are not secure at all.

 

[Roverguy]

It's not bad advice at all. A whole bunch of people have been rerouted to New York and then when they tried to recheck their baggage back onto the airline they were arrested.

If you're somehow rerouted to a non-gun friendly state you abandon your suitcase with the gun in it and the airline will send it on to your final destination.

The issue with Bridge and Tunnel cops at LaGuardia trying to arrest people traveling in accordance with federal law was resolved a long time ago:
https://shared.nrapvf.org/sharedmedia/1509107/don-young-nyc-fopa.pdf

 

[wayneinFL]

The issue with Bridge and Tunnel cops at LaGuardia trying to arrest people traveling in accordance with federal law was resolved a long time ago:
https://shared.nrapvf.org/sharedmedia/1509107/don-young-nyc-fopa.pdf

I'm glad they solved it in New York. I got stuck in Newark on an overnight layover, and was assured by the police at the airport that I would be arrested if I received my luggage and tried to check it on my flight to Cincinnati.

 

[obiwan1]

A friend of mine got arrested at JFK a few years ago for doing exactly that. He was en routes to Alaska. It cost him a few thousand dollars but he eventually got through it with no conviction. He never got his gun back.

 

[Mosin77]

Last time I did it was 2018. Sadly I don’t remember what airport it was. I declared at the counter, they had me fill out a form and called TSA, who took me and my luggage over to another area. They had me open the suitcase, open the locked case inside that had my gun (it must NOT be a TSA-compliant lock -in other words only you should be able to open it with a key) and they inspected the firearm, had me close it up and took my bag. My bag was on the regular carousel with everyone else’s that time although sometimes you have to pick them up separately.

Another time I was almost arrested because my boss said we should check the gun we’d purchased in New England, rather than ship it home. He assured me that he’d called the airline and it was A-ok. The problem is, Southwest is based in TX (where it is a-ok.) We were flying out of NYC, however, the airline didn’t take this into account, and so declaring it was also declaring that we’d broken the law by being in possession of a handgun in NYC without appropriate paperwork. Luckily the upstate cop who would be stuck doing the paperwork and hauling us off to prison felt sorry for us midwestern yokels and decided not to enforce the law, but truthfully we were in violation, and although the law is obviously unjust and tyrannical, the cops, for their part, would have been in the right to book us for a firearms violation. So the advice given earlier in this thread to beware of local laws at your beginning, layover, and destination is good advice. If I were flying from Alabama to Vermont (for example) and somehow ended up stuck in NYC, NJ, or similar place due to weather, I’d probably not try to reclaim my luggage lest I be breaking the law. If they forced me to pick it up rather than leaving it in the system to it’s final destination I’d handle the situation very carefully indeed. Better to ship the firearm if you even think you might be stuck in one of those places.

 

[bearcreek]

I am looking for input from people who have flown on Delta with a checked handgun. I have reviewed the Delta website, and want to make sure I understand the process.

I've flown Delta with a handgun several times, as well as with multiple other airlines.

I place the unloaded gun in a locked hardside gun case.
I keep the key.
I declare the gun at the counter and fill out a declaration form stating the gun is unloaded.

That is correct. Only thing I would add is that the lock should not be a "TSA" lock. They cannot legally access the inside of the case without you present.

Will they have me open the case at the ticket counter to inspect it?

Depends on the airport and the individual at the counter. Most don't. Some do. I've had ticket counter people who literally (I had one ask if my Glock was a .38) couldn't tell you the difference between a revolver and a semi auto have me open the case and take the gun out to "show them it was unloaded".

Can I place the hard side gun case inside my regular piece of luggage or does it have to be separate?

Yes. That's SOP, unless it's a large rifle case.

Does ammo in a factory box have to be in the locked case also, or can it be in suitcase?

Ammo does not have to be in a locked case by TSA regs. What kind of case you can use though will vary depending, once again, on the individual at the counter, the airport, and the airline. I don't recall exactly what Delta's policy is. I've carried ammo in magazines many times. Once I had a counter person make a stink about it and I ended up having to pull the ammo out of the mags and leave it with them. To be safe, I now carry ammo in those snap lid plastic boxes designed for the purpose.

 

[bearcreek]

I would think it would be appropriate to look up the TSA instructions, as well as the policy of the airline you're flying on.

I know, that just sounds goofy.

That is appropriate, but not all there is to be considered. It's common for the people at the counter to not know the TSA regs or the policies of the airline they work for.

 

[bearcreek]

I guess it might be easier just to buy ammo when I get there, and not have to bother with having to fly with it.

It's not a big deal to fly with it, unless you're bringing a significant amount. Your normal "carry load", 2-4 mags worth or so is not a problem in the least, no more so than the gun itself, especially if you do as I mentioned before and use those plastic ammo boxes.