Flying With A Gun

[RobertJ.]

Last Sunday night we got back from a two-week vacation in Las Vegas. It was the third time I'd flown with a firearm, but the first time I'd flown with one in my suitcase. I knew I couldn't legally carry concealed in Nevada, but I was going to be exploring some out-of-the-way places, and I like to have one nearby just in case. Plus, we were going to Zion National Park, and I can carry in Utah.

I followed all of Alaska Airline's instructions. It was in a hard case and locked. I declared it at the counter. This was treated as extremely routine, and nobody gave it a second thought. My suitcase arrived at the carousel just as anticipated, and then also when we got back.

I had heard stories, though, of guns going missing from suitcases, so I took steps to prevent that. I'm posting all this to help anyone who has thought flying with a gun but has been nervous about it.

I rigged up a cable inside my suitcase so I could secure the hard case. I figured if they really wanted it they'd have to steal the whole thing, suitcase and all. The airline employees had no problem with this. The photos show just what I did:

Edit: Yes, the gun in the photo is loaded! I took the photo a couple days after getting home. It was NOT loaded on the flight!

 

[Onomea]

... It was the third time I'd flown with a firearm, but the first time I'd flown with one in my suitcase...

I'm curious about the first two times. Rifle in a rifle case? Private aircraft?

 

[Imissedagain]

Mini-LoJack in grips/stocks?

 

[RobertJ.]

I'm curious about the first two times. Rifle in a rifle case? Private aircraft?

Alaska Airlines both times. The first time, long gun and handgun in a separate case. The next time, two handguns in a separate case.

 

[Tom Kent]

The only place I have ever had a problem is flying from Bangor, Maine. There is/was a TSA lieutenant there who made up his own rules concerning ammunition and what it could be carried in. I have flown through numerous other airports with no problem.

 

[mckenney99]

I will add this. TSA establishes the basic rules for how firearms should be transported in checked luggage. However, each airline can establish additional rules that are more stringent than TSA's rules. You need to go to the individual air lines websites and go through all the pages on rules for packages and luggage to make sure you don't miss anything regarding firearms and ammunition. Some air lines make it difficult to find the rules that pertain to firearms and ammunition may be listed in different sections. When you find the rules I would encourage you to print those pages out and have them with you when you check in and DECLARE the firearms in your luggage at the counter, you cannot let the skycaps take your luggage. If you have connecting flights, make sure you check the regulations for EACH airline that you will be flying with and you will need to comply with each airline's requirements.

 

[RobertJ.]

When you find the rules I would encourage you to print those pages out and have them with you when you check in

This is excellent advice. Even though there has been no problem so far, I'll do this every time I fly with a gun from now on.

 

[Imissedagain]

Flying with a gun?
Always make sure the prop and gun are in sync before pulling the trigger.

 

[CWO USN]

Is the OE S&W plastic pistol box with one padlock accepted as approved carrying container? The regs on AA website only states, "In a locked hard-sided container where the firearm is totally inaccessible." I'm making sure my OE plastic pistol box which is acceptable. Thanks.

 

[Chief Wiggums]

I rigged up a cable inside my suitcase so I could secure the hard case.

brilliant ..... thank you for sharing as I will be doing the same

 

[max]

I also use a cable. The one I got was from a bicycle shop.

 

[mckenney99]

Is the OE S&W plastic pistol box with one padlock accepted as approved carrying container? The regs on AA website only states, "In a locked hard-sided container where the firearm is totally inaccessible." I'm making sure my OE plastic pistol box which is acceptable. Thanks.

CWO USN.
Your S&W case should work fine. Obviously it then must go into your checked luggage. Used to be, some airlines would not allow firearms to be placed into "soft sided" luggage and required them to be cased and in a hard sided suitcase only (check the airlines website). As others have suggested above if you can find a way to secure your S&W case to the frame work of your suitcase with a locked cable it will dissuade a baggage handler from opening your suitcase and snatching the case.

 

[CWO USN]

mckenney99,

Thank you. I'll look into installing a bicycle cable lock in my soft side checked luggage and secure my S&W hard-side pistol case.

r/CWO USN

 

[CB3]

Is the OE S&W plastic pistol box with one padlock accepted as approved carrying container? The regs on AA website only states, "In a locked hard-sided container where the firearm is totally inaccessible." I'm making sure my OE plastic pistol box which is acceptable. Thanks.

Single lock cases, especially plastic, can be a problem because they have edges or corners that can be pried up to get the case open. Perhaps newer cases have overcome the problem somehow.

The security of your gun(s) is up to you. TSA has recommendations, basically what not to do. The range of security options you can do is great.

My opinion is I want to keep my gun out of unauthorized hands, and of course keep it for me.

On guns, TSA accessible locks are not required. They may be used, but it obviously defeats the whole point of not allowing TSA or baggage personnel access to your firearm. Only the owner is to have access to the firearm. TSA locks can be opened by anyone with TSA hardware, which is not difficult to get. Cheap little padlocks, easily defeated cases, unsecured cases, plastic, etc., soft sided suitcases—all are invitations for thieves.

Metal cases with combinations and strong wire retainers are the best way to go, IMO. For <$35 you much more fully protect what is yours. Carry the Reg’s relating to TSA not having access to your keys/codes. Problems? Politely escalate to a more experienced supervisor.

NOT: [ame]https://www.amazon.com/SnapSafe-Treklite-Lock-Box-Combination/dp/B06XQVYY24/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Travel+gun+safe+metal+combination&qid=1638027129&qsid=142-4334307-0637249&s=hi&sr=1-4&sres=B07SPJN9VC%2CB07TF7CTMJ%2CB06XQVYY24%2CB005K6JQXQ%2CB07CVFP85H%2CB07CW9BN6L%2CB07LBC4YL4%2CB077K3FJHC%2CB07FVMN3QV%2CB08KD3774Y%2CB08927TFCZ%2CB087147CQK%2CB07TM45FRS%2CB00BTMU8VY%2CB00BTN1SHQ%2CB004LAMJVI%2CB08P1B2KY4%2CB07D9DCJLH%2CB00GVFD4DI%2CB08FSZL3ZZ&srpt=SAFE[/ame]

YES: (Something similar) [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Dalmbox-Pistols-Handgun-Combination-Portable/dp/B08KD3774Y/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=Travel+gun+safe+metal+combination&qid=1638027129&qsid=142-4334307-0637249&s=hi&sr=1-11&sres=B07SPJN9VC%2CB07TF7CTMJ%2CB06XQVYY24%2CB005K6JQXQ%2CB07CVFP85H%2CB07CW9BN6L%2CB07LBC4YL4%2CB077K3FJHC%2CB07FVMN3QV%2CB08KD3774Y%2CB08927TFCZ%2CB087147CQK%2CB07TM45FRS%2CB00BTMU8VY%2CB00BTN1SHQ%2CB004LAMJVI%2CB08P1B2KY4%2CB07D9DCJLH%2CB00GVFD4DI%2CB08FSZL3ZZ&srpt=SAFE[/ame]

TSA Reg’s: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

[GaryS]

The TSA has a habit of making up rules at each airport. That included allowing me inside a secure area at Logan airport a couple of times to unlock the case for them. Since the TSA says that fliers are NOT to surrender the key or combination to TSA employees, that was the only way they could think of to have me open the case for them.

OTOH, at Pensacola airport, they took the key from me since they didn't want to allow me in the secure area.

In both cases, the officers insisted that they were following the same rule and that all of the other airports in the US were doing it wrong.

Generally though, the TSA doesn't care about firearms as long as they properly declared and checked. At Logan, the airline employees have stopped asking fliers to open the gun case to verify that there is even a gun in there. They just have me fill out the firearms declaration (orange) card and then they tape it to the outside of the case. That of course, is when I fly with a handgun inside a suit case.

I've had to point that out a few times as once is a while they want to put the card inside the case. Which they are only supposed to do if it's a separate gun case such as a long gun case.

When I fly I take a printed copy of the TSA rules and a copy of the airlines contract of carriage section on firearms.

Fairly recently, the TSA changed the rule for semi auto magazines to require that they be locked in the same box as the firearm. Ammunition only needs to be placed in either the OEM box or a box designed to carry ammunition.

The only place I have ever had a problem is flying from Bangor, Maine. There is/was a TSA lieutenant there who made up his own rules concerning ammunition and what it could be carried in. I have flown through numerous other airports with no problem.

 

[GaryS]

Thank you, Willie Messerschmidt.

Flying with a gun?
Always make sure the prop and gun are in sync before pulling the trigger.

 

[Beemerguy53]

The TSA has a habit of making up rules at each airport. That included allowing me inside a secure area at Logan airport a couple of times to unlock the case for them. Since the TSA says that fliers are NOT to surrender the key or combination to TSA employees, that was the only way they could think of to have me open the case for them.

TSA doesn't make up rules.

If TSA officers at a checked baggage inspection station need to have you unlock a firearms case, one of them with escort authority on his SIDA badge (Security Identification Display Area) would bring you into the secure area. As long as he's with you, and you're not out of sight or roaming around unescorted, no policies or rules are being violated.

 

[Bugkiller99]

Is the OE S&W plastic pistol box with one padlock accepted as approved carrying container? The regs on AA website only states, "In a locked hard-sided container where the firearm is totally inaccessible." I'm making sure my OE plastic pistol box which is acceptable. Thanks.

The below was taken directly from the TSA website.

“ Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted”

You be the judge. Do you think that case meets that requirement? Or more importantly, do you think some airline clerk or TSA agent at the airport thinks it meets that requirement? What happens then if they don’t believe it does?

My thoughts? Not worth the risk. Considering the low cost of a “Pelican” type case, I would not use that S&W case.

 

[Beemerguy53]

The below was taken directly from the TSA website.

“ Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted”

You be the judge. Do you think that case meets that requirement? Or more importantly, do you think some airline clerk or TSA agent at the airport thinks it meets that requirement? What happens then if they don’t believe it does?

My thoughts? Not worth the risk. Considering the low cost of a “Pelican” type case, I would not use that S&W case.

Coincidentally, I just had some experience with this issue of "easily opened"...

I shipped my SIG-Sauer P320 to New Hampshire for the free trigger upgrade they offer. When SIG emailed the shipping label and instructions to me, I noted their advice NOT to use the original box to enclose the gun for shipping.

I went online, and bought an inexpensive ($10.49) made-in-USA MTM case to ship the pistol in. When it was returned, I undid the latches...and could not open it. Huh??? With the latches undone, I couldn't even pry the sides open enough to see what was inside. Then I noticed it: there was a zip tie through one of the two holes for a lock, inside the handle.

I certainly don't think anyone could call that case "easy to open", and I doubt very much if TSA or the airlines would reject it.