TSA opened my gun case

[REB]

When I arrived home last night from Tucson AZ and retrieved my hard sided gun case from my checked luggage I was in for a surprise. When I opened the case to my surprise there was one of those pamphlets the TSA uses stating they inspected your luggage inside of my gun case. It was also obvious that my revolver had been removed from the case and replaced. What I don't really understand is how the opened the lock on the case as the lock was not damaged.

I doubt it is even legal for them to break into the case but then again they are the TSA and seem to be able to get away with making up the rules to suit themselves.

I have been flying with a gun for around seven years and this is the first time I have seen anything like this.

 

[no_problem]

They are the government and they can do whatever they want. There is nothing you can do about it.

 

[Tommygunn]

What kind of lock is on the case? They sell luggage locks now that are "TSA Compliant." They lock the luggage, but the TSA have pass keys that unlock them. They may also have pass keys for other locks too, for all I know.
I have not flown since 9/11 (and quite a bit before, as well) and I dearly hope I never have to step foot on an airplane again, given the royal mess the govt. has made of air travel.

 

[Claude Clay]

using a TSA aproved lock IS giving a key to all the Thousands Standing Around looking impotant and for trouble. much as no_problem said--live with it.

when dealing with our government there are only 3 things you need to know:
--they make all the rules
--they can change the rules at any time
--they do not have to tell you about the changes

 

[romma]

I flew out of RI to Phoenix and back again this week and they never asked to see my firearm on either end. They were courteous as usual. Maybe the the x ray machine showed something inconclusive..

But my understanding is that they are supposed to ask the owner to remove the lock for inspection.

 

[Code3GT]

I thought the luggage its in has to have the TSA lock and the case for the gun has to have a lock that only YOU have the key to? I could be wrong, wouldnt be the first time

 

[REB]

The case did not have a TSA lock on it, it has a small key operated masterlock.

 

[Armed 24/7]

I worked in the airline industry for eight years, working very closely with the TSA. They have "master Keys" supplied by the lock manufaturers. Just deal with them inspecting your firearm, they have the right to nowadays. They put that pamphlet in there to let you know that they inspected it, and I believe it also has a phone number on it to complain, or to report if anything is missing. There is really nothing you can do about it, unfortunately...PM me if you have any other questions...Randall

 

[gvnwst]

Just deal with them inspecting your firearm, they have the right to nowadays.

1+

it is protocall for them to check all baggage that is checked as firearms i think.
you did check it as a firearm right?

 

[Pure Kustom]

I have not flown since 9/11 (and quite a bit before, as well) and I dearly hope I never have to step foot on an airplane again, given the royal mess the govt. has made of air travel.

AMEN to that!!!

I had a lock cut on one of my bags prior to 911. In 2000. I just returned from Germany I was there for 4 months. I had 2 heavy bags. Remember I was there for 4 months. In customs. I had the military rent a cop. With matching K-9 sweeping by everybody in customs. He passed me, then came back. Stopped and looked down at my bags. Then passed me again. When he came back again he stopped and said quitely whats in the bags. Because they had bright red tags on them that said heavy. I told him clothes and equipment and that I was in Germany for 4 months. He then walked back down the role of people and came back again to me. "Why are they so heavy?"

I said why don't you (________) open it, Someone already cut the lock on the other one!!! I was already pissed can you tell.

He pointed at me and said your done, follow me. I thought for sure I was going to be interogated and searched. But to my surprise. I followed him to the front of the line and he pointed and said go. LOL

I guess he thought I had nothing to hide.

 

[MinnMooney]

Do you HAVE to use a "TSA-compliant" lock on a rifle case?

 

[TEDDY]

locks

what do you want opened?I can unlock anything including safes.there are key sets you can buy for under $10 that will open any luggage lock I have them.and picks for cylinder locks.even combo locks can be opened.padlocks can be popped and relocked without damage.

 

[Chukpike]

People buying luggage or gun cases should be aware that most of the locks serve the purpose of keeping the cases from accidentally flying open during handling. We all know how carefull luggage is handled.

Unless you are careful to purchase cases with specific keyed lock they are for the most part universally keyed per manufacture. They are not security locks. The reason behind this is that it is easier for a thief to walk off with the whole case and open it with a hammer latter.

Security locks on portable cases only offer a false since of security.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Do you HAVE to use a "TSA-compliant" lock on a rifle case?

It is illegal to use the TSA locks on firearm hard cases.

TSA rules say that you and only you should have access to the firearm.

The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.


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

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

 

[bonza]

I have only flown a few times since 9/11/01, the latest being this last July/August. There were signs posted at the check-in (SEA-TAC airport) saying firearms had to be declared, which I did. I was then escorted over to a TSA inspection station were the TSA guy opened the case with his master key (TSA Locks) & poked around in the case for a while. He looked under & between the foam layers, didn't remove the guns but did lift them to look underneath. He then relocked the case & ran it thru an X-Ray machine. All this time I had to wait behind a line on the floor about four feet away. I was then escorted back to the check-in staion & the case went thru to the plane & I didn't see it again until I got to Australia.
On the way home I arrived in San Francisco, cleared Customs, were they had me open the cases so they could compare the serial numbers with my 4457 Form. Once that was over I went to the carousel to forward my bags to my domestic flight back to Seattle & was told the gun case would have to go thru TSA screening again. Actually it wasn't TSA at SFO but their own version who must be acting under their authority. They did the same thing as TSA had done in Seattle apart from the X-Ray.
Earlier in the year I had flown from Seattle to Spokane, WA, but this time without any firearms. However, as I only had a carry-on I decided to take advantage of a sale going on in Spokane & bought a Pelican-brand double rifle case. On my return journey I checked it in, packed in it's factory carton, as regular luggage as it was empty. When we got home I saw that the box had TSA tape on it & there was a note inside saying that it had been opened for inspection, so they had obviously recognized as a gun case.
By the way, I've seen the TSA locks for sale at Harbour Freight Tools for about $5, which is cheaper than I paid for them from Pelican.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

If you want to know one way or the other if someone has been inside, there are one time tamper proof seals that can be put on the hasp, zipper, or whatever.

I used to use them periodically when I was active duty.

Once they are cut, there is no way it can be fixed and put back together.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Do you HAVE to use a "TSA-compliant" lock on a rifle case?

Only if you want them re-locked (as opposed to cut and left dangling). At least that was my guess when I first saw the TSA compliant locks. They can unlock anything - the question is whether there is a functioning left afterward.

I consider all the security stuff a part of the cost of flying. Most of it is silly, but you have a choice of transportation.

Mike

 

[Eleven Mike]

Inexpensive plastic gun cases often have a hinge held together by a long steel pin. It can be drifted out very easily. I learned this once when I brought my pistol over to a friend's house, but forgot the key. We drifted out the hinge pin and pulled out the gun in just five or ten minutes.

 

[evan price]

According to Federal law, gun cases MUST be locked and the ONLY person having the key or combination is the owner. The TSA is not allowed to open the gun case themselves and using a TSA-master-keyed lock (such as is sold for luggage) is against Federal law.

49 CFR 1540.111(c) (iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

 

[anarchris]

Is it possible you forgot to lock it?

 

[REB]

Is it possible you forgot to lock it?

No, I am sure it was locked. After the Delta agent gave me the declaration form I put it in the case and the agent watched me lock it before I put it back in the suit case. The only way they could have got into this case was to remove the lock. I took a close look at it again today and there is no way they could have gotten the pamphlet in the case unless it was opened. I am also sure that my revolver had been removed from the case at some point.

 

[TexKettering]

I haven't read the thread, sorry, but are you sure the revolver didn't just shift around during flight and while being handled by the luggage crew?

 

[michael_aos]

I've only traveled flown with guns once. Was home visiting relatives and my grandfather unexpectedly gave me 2 long-guns and an air-pistol.

I bought a cheapie case and a 4pk of keyed-alike padlocks.

No issues at all. Simply declared the case at the counter and TSA examined the contents. I assume they were looking for explosives or something though, because they weren't concerned about the firearms. In fact I'm pretty sure they never even saw the air-pistol tucked behind the foam.

They locked the padlocks and wrapped the case a bunch of times with TSA tape. I'm fairly certain they stuck one of those "inspected by" pamphlets inside before they sealed it up.

TSA also met me with the case at my final destination and required a picture-ID to release it to me. The case didn't go through the luggage carousel or anything.

Mike

 

[polizei36]

Welcome to the beginning of you civil liberties being taken away. Although when you choose to fly you in a sense sign your rights away by default. I choose to just drive where ever I need to travel.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I've flown a lot since 9/11 (not including for work, in which case I don't have to deal with the minimum wage JBT's at TSA), but I haven't flown with a firearm yet. I'm going to be bringing some guns back from my parents' house after thanksgiving, and I'm putting a master lock on there and I'm considering some tape or zipties to let me know if the case has been tampered with.