We are traveling to Walt Disney World and the beach in late July. I have had my concealed carry license for 3 years, but my family doesn't know I carry 24-7.

I'm not sure how to get past airport security without my family knowing either; I'm imagine it could get tricky .

I will contact Airport prior to travel, and let them tell me their rules.I was just wondering if anyone had any personal experience good or bad.

Plenty of experience, mostly all good.

quote:

Originally posted by br549:
I'm not sure how to get past airport security without my family knowing either; I'm imagine it could get tricky .

Do not wait. Tell them now. Tell them that's just how it's going to be and that south Florida is not a place to be unarmed. Read the papers from any town south of St. Agustine if you need proof.

quote:

Originally posted by br549:
I will contact Airport prior to travel, and let them tell me their rules.

This is the wrong way to go about it.

First of all you need to find out if your state law will allow you to take a concealed weapon into the unsecured portion of the terminal (check-in/baggage claim). Some states do, some (like Florida) do not. If your home state does not, your gun will have to be in your luggage before you go into the building. In any case, that's the best way to travel. You do not want to cause a scene by drawing your gun to put it in a travel case in the middle of the lobby. I guess you could do it in a toiler stall.....

If you call the Airport Authority they will most likely tell you that concealed weapons are not allowed even if your state law contradicts them. That's just how they are. Ignore verbal advice. Follow written law and procedure.

Then go to the TSA's website and read THEIR procedures for flying with firearms. They are specific and clear. Print them out and take them with you for reference later.

Then go to your airline's website and read THEIR rules and procedures for flying with firearms. They can and sometimes are more restrictive than the TSA. They will tell you how they want ammo packed and how much you can take.

Ammo and the gun can go in the same case, but the gun obviously must be unloaded. You can actually place loaded magazines in your gun case so long as the opening is covered by something like a magazine pouch. If not, just put them in an old ammo box and tape it shut.

Tell the check in attendant that you have a firearm to check in with your luggage. Keep calm if the clerk freaks out. If that happens, calmly ask for a supervisor and have a copy of the airline rules handy. They will have you fill out a declaration tag which MUST go inside the gun case, not outside. That is Federal law. Once check in is complete ask if they or your will take it to TSA. Then follow what TSA tells you. They may ask you to show unloaded or may take your word for it.

Finally make sure there is no ammo, magazines, clips, speedloaders, accessories, or gun parts in your carry on and you are good to go.

When you get to Disney, do not carry your gun in any off-body way (fanny packs, backpack, etc,) as they search those. Do not let your gun print or you will be escorted out of the park. Depending how comfortable you are about deep concealment, carry it in or leave it in your car. Otherwise carry 24/7.

Carrying at WDW is not against the law, just against their policy. Worst that can happen if they catch you is that they kick you out and don't let you back in. If you cooperate they will probably just escort you to your car and watch you lock it up. Just tell them your forgot.

Go to handgunlaw.us and check Florida laws. Unlike some states (a minority anyway), you can carry in places that sell liquor for consumption so long as the purpose of the joint is not just drinking. So carry in a bar is not cool. Carrying in the bar areas of a restaurant is not cool, but carrying in the restaurant itself is cool even if people dining around you are drinking.

First - you'll never make it through security screening with a concealed weapon.

Second - your guns will have to be declared at check-in when you check your bags. You will have to open your suitcase. They will ask to see the guns are in a hard container that is lockable. They will check that they are unloaded. They will give you a big bright red tag that you will sign and they will place it in the gun box. Lock the box, put it back into your checked-through bag. They will tag your suitcase and put a small sticker on it that it's been checked by TSA before putting it on the conveyer belt.

All suitcases are screened when they go into the back. If something is suspected - and even if it is not - your suitcase is subject to being opened and searched. You sure don't want them finding you tried to sneak a handgun onto the plane, even in checked luggage.

If you really don't want your family to know, you wlll have to pre-print their boarding passes and send them on ahead through security, while you check the bags at the counter. You'll also have to make sure you retrieve the gun case out of the suitcase before they do.

Third - Disney will check your backpacks, purses, baby bags, etc. prior to entry. They don't wand you or pat you down. Security is pretty tight throughout the park - cameras, uniformed guards, and plainclothes are everywhere.

* * *

I just came back from WDW. I flew from Scranton through Atlanta to Melbourne, and back again. I brought two guns as per the procedure above and didn't have any trouble. I also went to Orlando Airport to pick up a niece at the gate and of course I wasn't stupid enough to try to bring a gun with me through security, although I'm not sure if my dad waiting in the unsecured common area was carrying or not.

Info from posters is correct.

Don't call the airline and have them tell you their rules. Go to the airline website and print the rules. Ditto for TSA. I always have a print copy when I travel. That serves as a bit of insurance if you encounter someone unfamilar with guns in checked luggage. I have had no problems...but do remember that airline, airport, and TSA procedures may vary a bit. For example,in Denver someone will carry your bag to a TSA "office" whilst you follow; in Pittsburgh, you simply carry it to the TSA checkpoint all by yourself.

I strongly recommend TSA locks for your bag. If they have to (or just want to) open it the bag can be relocked.

Be safe.

br549, as WyattEarp relates, it's best that you tell your family you CCW.

All my family members and close associates know I CCW. They also know what they are to do should I somehow become involved in an incident where the gun is displayed/fired and they are present.

Be safe.

quote:

Originally posted by BarbC:
I'm not sure if my dad waiting in the unsecured common area was carrying or not.

Shouldn't be. It's a violation of Florida Statutes.

No trouble at all - I stay out of airports.

Speaking of this, I just started planning my Christmas vacation which will include a trip to WDW the week prior to Christmas.

The cost of three round trip airfare tickets plus a week's worth of a rental car is over double the cost of fuel (assuming $4.50/gallon and having a 20 mpg hwy car) and lodging for the two day drive each way from Ohio.

Coupled with the supreme hassle that flying has become I am pretty sure I will be driving down there for my vacation.

I fly weekly for work and to some areas where i'd sure like to have my gun on me, but in the end, my company policy is anti gun and I honestly have enough trouble getting a freakin tube of toothpaste onto an airplane... I hate the damn TSA and won't give them any oppty i don't have to to mess with me..so I do without my gun..besides, many of the cities I travel to only allow criminals to be armed.
As for the theme parks, likely a great place for a terrorist hit one day, but for the most part I feel quite safe there and i just don't carry when we go.. I do drive my vacation...sure as hell don't want to fly when I have a choice of driving...so there's a gun in the car and the hotel, and on the road, but not on the rollercoaster. More likely my day will be ruined by some kid pukin on me than some mugger taking what's left of my cash after paying for $12 burgers at the park.

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by BarbC:
I'm not sure if my dad waiting in the unsecured common area was carrying or not.

Shouldn't be. It's a violation of Florida Statutes.

Now I recall -- he was also supposed to go to the gate so he didn't bring a gun into the building at all. Since the airline only allowed one person back there to pick up a minor, he stayed behind and I went.

hey BR549...just another 2 cents worth, growing up, I always knew that Dad hunted..took me when I was old enough, there were always long guns in the house and one particular pistol strapped to the parents' headboard on the bed. I simply understood 1) not to touch and 2)that if a bad guy every came in our home, that Dad would deal with them. Course back then we would typically toss the little hook on the screen door and call it a night..keys in the cars ignition, etc.
I was 13 yrs old before I knew that Dad kept a gun close by during his normal day. We were in the midst of Philly during Martin Luther King visits and riots and misbehaving was a regular part of the locals. On a particular afternoon, when some 20somethings decided to block cars at an intersection and one suddenly jumped on the hood of our car, I came to learn that Dad was prepared and did pack. I was a stunned kid, but Dad had seen it coming and as soon as the punk hit the hood of the car, my Dad placed the pistol up on the top of the steering wheel..things got polite real quick and we drove on our way. My perception of pistols was deeply advanced that day. So I guess no harm in keeping the carry a secret from your family as long as they have confidence in you so that when it does hit the fan, they won't complicate the situation by not following your lead or commands. Once a gun is drawn, everyone really needs to cooperate to the fullest. so surprise isn't always a good thing for the family.

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Originally posted by BighandEd:
I simply understood 1) not to touch and 2)that if a bad guy every came in our home, that Dad would deal with them.

That's how my daughter is being raised in this sea of liberalism, victimhood, sheepleness, and sissified, neutered males.

There are certain firearms that are kept readily accessible at all times. She knows where they are and she will not touch them unless I offer or she asks. I sleep with a Model 65 and an LED light in a bedside holster.

A few weekends ago we were hiking to a fishing pond when my daughter asked my wife if there were bears in the woods. I turned around and pulled up my shirt showing her that I was carrying a revolver and told here that nothing was going to hurt her as long as I was around. No more questions about bears and she enjoyed the rest of the walk.

quote:

Originally posted by BighandEd:
More likely my day will be ruined by some kid pukin on me than some mugger taking what's left of my cash after paying for $12 burgers at the park.

br549, welcome to the forum. This advice sums it up quite well. I live in Central Florida and have visited the parks dozens of times over the years. I don't carry at them and have never seen or heard of a case where it would be needed(and I get all of the local media and word of mouth). People from BFE, Montana, or whatever, often post on these threads that they will be defending their family, not Disney or Universal. That's understandable as the parks are strange territory to them and not a familiar environment. Carrying isn't necessary, subjects you to getting tossed and banned(and no, they aren't going to walk you to your car to stow the gun). Try explaining to your family why the vacation is ruined. Plus, the heat(sweat), cooling misters and water rides are just plain hard on a firearm.

I also do not carry at the beach. Adding sand to sweat and water is an environment none of my guns will ever see. And like at the parks, the chances of getting mugged with hundreds looking on is slim to none. I do always carry in my truck as there can be that unknown on the way.

A final thought, the one thing any of the parks or popular beaches can't afford is to get the reputation of not being a safe destination. It would absolutely cripple them in a matter of months. Intense, discrete security is critical to their survival and they conduct themselves accordingly.

Bob

Since I flew back from Vegas in February and found a bunch of dead grass in my suitcase when I got home, I won't be putting anything of value in my suitcase for the airline workers to steal. I wouldn't even think of putting a gun in there. But that's just me and my experience.