firearm in check on baggage

REVL33

REVL33

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Have any of you checked a firearm on flight baggage i am going to fly from ca to mn and want to bring my 357 to do some target shooting when i get there.

also i would like to know if any mn laws or counties are firearm unfriendly i have the laws downloaded but you know how that is what is law does not necessarily mean the leo's enforce them or interpret them correctly i will be flying into the cities and driving down to walker mn and then back to the Minneapolis over the course of two weeks are there certain places to avoid with transporting in trunk or locked case unloaded.

any advise would be helpful thank you in advance.
 
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Everytime I flew, except when I went to Puerto Rico where there weren't allowed, there was a pistol in my checked baggage.

It's a simple process, or at least it used to be (I haven't been on an airplane since '06). Gun must be in a lockable hard case. I used the little hard plastic MTM case and a master padlock. Threw the locked hard case into my regular soft-side suitcase.

Law says case must be locked and only you can get it. That means it can not be locked with one of them TSA locks, since anyone can get into them.

I would go to the ticket counter with the gun in the hard case, inside the suitcase, but not locked. I would tell the ticket clerk I needed a "firearms declaration tag". They'd fetch one. Depending on the airline it was either a red piece of pastboard, like a big ticket, or a white piece of paper from an ink-jet printer.

It would say, "Date". Then, "I declare this firearm to be unloaded". Then a signature line. She would date it, I would sign it and then it went in the hard case with the gun. I'd put the padlock on the case and toss it back in my suitcase.

Sometimes the clerk wanted you to show it was empty. Sometimes they had no clue about how to check and just took your word. They never handled the gun at all. I would pick it up, I would show it empty, I would put it back in the case, I would lock it up.

Ammo cannot be loose. Has to be either in the original box or in plastic boxes designed to carry ammo. I never had a problem, with an auto, with having it in loaded magazine. I normally would have three loaded magazines in a separate little MTM hardcase. You did not used to be able to have the ammo in the same case with the gun. Now I've heard it's all right, as long as it is not IN the gun. I would till keep it in a separate container.

Airlines have a weight limit on ammo. I believe it is eleven pounds. Only time that ever came up with me was my first flight. Lady asked if I had any ammo. Yes. How much does it weigh? :confused: I told her, "I don't know. It's 18 rounds. A pound, maybe?" She said, "Okay", and that was that.
 
In addition, I print and carry copies of current published TSA regulations, the published policy regarding shipping firearms of each airline you'll be using, and the DOJ letter to Congressman Don Young regarding "peaceable travel with firearms", as it may be up to you to inform various cantankerous individuals what the regs actually are, vs. what they may erroneously believe to be the case. Recent reports say that New York and New Jersey cops have been arresting travelers with firearms when they attempt to declare at ticket counters, another good reason to avoid patronizing these states...
 
jkc said:
In addition, I print and carry copies of current published TSA regulations, the published policy regarding shipping firearms of each airline you'll be using, and the DOJ letter to Congressman Don Young regarding "peaceable travel with firearms", as it may be up to you to inform various cantankerous individuals what the regs actually are, vs. what they may erroneously believe to be the case. Recent reports say that New York and New Jersey cops have been arresting travelers with firearms when they attempt to declare at ticket counters, another good reason to avoid patronizing these states...
Click to expand...

Great advice. I've had disagreements at post offices about FFL's shipping guns (which is completely legal and you file the form) and them refuse them even with all the proper paperwork and identification, and my father in law has a FAA and airline approved oxygen system and he's gotten stopped at boarding gates by agents who just won't believe it even when he hands them the regs from their own airline.

You may have to deal with a person who thinks they know the rules and don't. They still may not follow them even if handed to them but it sure can't hurt.
 
Alpo said:
Everytime I flew, except when I went to Puerto Rico where there weren't allowed, there was a pistol in my checked baggage.

It's a simple process, or at least it used to be (I haven't been on an airplane since '06). Gun must be in a lockable hard case. I used the little hard plastic MTM case and a master padlock. Threw the locked hard case into my regular soft-side suitcase.

Law says case must be locked and only you can get it. That means it can not be locked with one of them TSA locks, since anyone can get into them.

I would go to the ticket counter with the gun in the hard case, inside the suitcase, but not locked. I would tell the ticket clerk I needed a "firearms declaration tag". They'd fetch one. Depending on the airline it was either a red piece of pastboard, like a big ticket, or a white piece of paper from an ink-jet printer.

It would say, "Date". Then, "I declare this firearm to be unloaded". Then a signature line. She would date it, I would sign it and then it went in the hard case with the gun. I'd put the padlock on the case and toss it back in my suitcase.

Sometimes the clerk wanted you to show it was empty. Sometimes they had no clue about how to check and just took your word. They never handled the gun at all. I would pick it up, I would show it empty, I would put it back in the case, I would lock it up.

Ammo cannot be loose. Has to be either in the original box or in plastic boxes designed to carry ammo. I never had a problem, with an auto, with having it in loaded magazine. I normally would have three loaded magazines in a separate little MTM hardcase. You did not used to be able to have the ammo in the same case with the gun. Now I've heard it's all right, as long as it is not IN the gun. I would till keep it in a separate container.

Airlines have a weight limit on ammo. I believe it is eleven pounds. Only time that ever came up with me was my first flight. Lady asked if I had any ammo. Yes. How much does it weigh? :confused: I told her, "I don't know. It's 18 rounds. A pound, maybe?" She said, "Okay", and that was that.
Click to expand...

I fly with a sidearm often, several times a year and most recently 2 weeks ago. The above info is absolutely correct. The last year or so the process has been absolutely painless.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
REVL33 said:
Have any of you checked a firearm on flight baggage i am going to fly from ca to mn and want to bring my 357 to do some target shooting when i get there.

also i would like to know if any mn laws or counties are firearm unfriendly i have the laws downloaded but you know how that is what is law does not necessarily mean the leo's enforce them or interpret them correctly i will be flying into the cities and driving down to walker mn and then back to the Minneapolis over the course of two weeks are there certain places to avoid with transporting in trunk or locked case unloaded.

any advise would be helpful thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Okay, a few things: First- stay out of NY, and DC. Second- Guns UNLOADED. Ammo in factory boxes only. They will not allow ammo: In a magazine, in stripper clips, loose, or in any kind of reloader case. Use some kind of factory ammo box.
Gun case: Many kinds of hard cases are allowed. For my carry pistols, believe it or not, I use an ammo can. Pistol goes in a soft holster that I will wear when shooting. In the can, with another pistol. 2 boxes of ammo in the can. TSA lock on the can, my name all over it, and that's how I travel with a pistol. Rifles go in a hard case. If I am hunting hogs, I take a pistol in the rifle case as well.
Can't emphasize enough to leave yourself an extra 15 minutes for the checking of the guns. TSA is the one who checks them in, not the airline. They can be overbooked, and slooow to check the weapons. Sometimes there will be an airline agent who will check the gun; but they are TSA approved. Not all baggage checkers can do this. But, funny thing......Usually, when it is realized I have firearms???? I get to have my stuff checked in real quick. In L.A.??? They open it up, and say "Are these yours? Is the ammunition factory? Are you carrying any other weapons on you?"
In Houston, they say "Are these yours? Where ya huntin? Will you adopt me? I'd make a fine son for you. Very nice sir; have a great flight."
No lie.
 
jkc said:
In addition, I print and carry copies of current published TSA regulations, the published policy regarding shipping firearms of each airline you'll be using, and the DOJ letter to Congressman Don Young regarding "peaceable travel with firearms", as it may be up to you to inform various cantankerous individuals what the regs actually are, vs. what they may erroneously believe to be the case. Recent reports say that New York and New Jersey cops have been arresting travelers with firearms when they attempt to declare at ticket counters, another good reason to avoid patronizing these states...
Click to expand...

thank you for the reply will use a soft case in a locked pelican case with two locks on it. who is don young .
 
I used to bring my firearms with me when I traveled via air, but it became more of a hassle than it was worth. I have permits in many other States, and if I drive I will still bring them, but to get abused at the Airports just ain't for me anymore.

Chief38
 
I take a handgun from Maine to Arizona every year and have had no problem. Just follow the rules and everything should go smoothly. I use a Pelican case that I've inletted to fit whichever gun I am taking, the mags, and a box of shells. Then throw that in my soft-sided suitcase. The checking in has always been fast and hassle free. I have flown both Delta and Southwest. Some airports will want you to show clear, others won't.
My favorite comment was in Manchester NH. When I opened the case to show my Kimber Ultra CDPII was clear, the girl working the counter said "oh, isn't that cute!"
 
Corrections

The information posted above is basically correct, but there is at least one error and another technical "question."

I fly regularly (multiple times every year) with a gun in my checked luggage. Never an issue...ever.

Here's the "error" included in the post(s) before: TSA LOCKS ARE APPROVED!!!! My hard-sided Samsonite suitcase has them, and I carry my gun in a plastic Doskocil box within it. I modified the box to accommodate a TSA combination cable lock.

The "question" is whether ammunition can be carried in a magazine. I do not believe it can be; mine is always packaged in the plastic box in which it came as to eliminate any question(s.)

Airport procedures do vary a bit. In some airports you personally convey your suitcase to the TSA screening site after checking in with the airline agent. e.g. Reagan National Airport and US Airways. At other airports, the suitcase goes onto a conveyor belt to a remote TSA screening area. e.g. BWI and US Airways.

I have my cell phone number on the suitcase bag tag. If you are not with your suitcase and they want to open it, they will. In my experiences they will attempt to contact you first. They will open it if they choose thus my decision to use TSA locks. Again, they ARE approved.

I am currently in Miami Beach having flown here Thursday. Travel was via US Airways out of DCA. As usual, there were NO problems, issues, or difficulty of any kind.

Do check your specific carrier website before travel but I have never had a difficulty with US Airways, Delta, or Southwest...my carriers of choice.

This may be useful:
TSA: Traveling with Special Items

Bon voyage!

Be safe.
 
I've only had problems one time. Back in the '80s I was working in Morgan City, La. and I bought an original 1853 Enfield musket. When I went to check the cased gun at Southwest Airlines in New Orleans the lady asked me to show the rifle and open the action to prove it wasn't loaded. It took twenty minutes, three ticket clerks, the manager and a NOLA police officer before they accepted the fact that there was no action to open and that it was indeed empty.:D
 
REVL33 said:
thank you for the reply will use a soft case in a locked pelican case with two locks on it. who is don young .
Click to expand...

Don Young is a congressman (R-AK) who asked TSA/DOJ to clarify the right to peaceable travel when passing through airports such as in New York and other gun-unfriendly states. It states the Fed's interpretation of GCA68, and affirms that the locals are out of line when harassing gun checkers at airports. This has evidently not trickled down, or has been ignored, or maybe just doesn't apply in New York, like other parts of the constitution...

Google "DOJ letter to Don Young" to find a copy.
 
Having never flown with a weapon, but regularly traveling with thousands of dollars of photography equipment, I would worry about the stuff being stolen. I never check my photog gear. Too many hands in there.
 
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