Guns at airport checkpoints...

[Captain Skip]

A couple years before I retired I had to go to a meeting in Boise, Idaho. I always brought a sidearm with me when traveling, particularly on department business. I know all the rules and follow them meticulously. I checked the gun in a Pelican case with two padlocks and a cable running from one padlock through the metal frame of the suitcase to the other padlock. No issues flying west. Checking in at Boise International for the trip home I declared the firearm in my checked bag, all locked up and cabled as usual. Airline rep gave me the tag to put in my bag and asked me to hand carry the bag to the TSA checkpoint about 20 feet away and give it to them. I brought it over - there was nobody else around as I was early for my flight - and handed the suitcase to the TSA agent. I told him there's a firearm in a locked Pelican case inside that I just declared at the counter. He said no problem, please open the bag. I did and he started running a swab all over the Pelican case. My curiosity got the better of me so I asked him what he was doing. He told me he was checking for gunpowder residue. I told him that there was gunpowder residue on the case, I reminded him that there was a gun in the case as well as 50 rounds of ammo. Still had to wipe it down and put it in the detection machine. Wow! Got a hit for gunpowder residue! Then he zipped up the suitcase, I put my lock back on it as well as a ZIP tie (I zip tie every zipper on a suitcase shut just to see if anyone screwed with it and hopefully it might deter lazy thiefs), he then put it on the conveyor and away it went. Go figure.

 

[hsguy]

As far as zip tying the zippers if TSA decides to check the bag at some point they will cut those ties and open it. They always leave a note in the bag so you know it was them. Seems every time I fly overseas to fish my checked rod case is always opened by TSA but I have never had anything damaged or missing. My suitcase is often opened also as I pack my reels, spare spools, fly boxes, waders, Carbide spiked wading boots and my fishing vest which probable looks like a mall Ninja's AR with all the attachments hanging from it, hope I never fall in! Must light up the scanner.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Still a problem...

You can't swing a dead cat at an airport these days without hitting a sign reminding you not to bring a firearm into a checkpoint. But nevertheless, the problem continues...

TSA at my hometown airport issued this press release yesterday...

TSA at BWI Airport sets record for most guns caught in a single year with two months remaining | Transportation Security Administration

 

[6shotfan]

This gun control of a thing will eventually get out of hand. I should be able to carry anywhere and everywhere in as much I have the necessary permit to do so.

 

[Beemerguy53]

This gun control of a thing will eventually get out of hand. I should be able to carry anywhere and everywhere in as much I have the necessary permit to do so.

This isn't about reciprocity with state carry permits. It's been illegal to carry a gun on an airplane for more than 50 years.

 

[6shotfan]

This gun control of a thing will eventually get out of hand. I should be able to carry anywhere and everywhere in as much I have the necessary permit to do so.

 

[Beemerguy53]

This gun control of a thing will eventually get out of hand. I should be able to carry anywhere and everywhere in as much I have the necessary permit to do so.

Don't hold your breath waiting for concealed carry on airliners to be authorized...

 

[The Big D]

Two stories from my professional days.

Had to take a VERY short trip to Florida aboard one of the very first flights post 9/11 and was armed.

Zero difficulty departing from DC; had required clearance.

No luggage; 14 shot 9mm was on my person. Also on my person were a couple cigars, a lighter, and a cigar punch as I would have a 2 hour break to share cigars with a friend.

Trying to board return flight at Fort Lauderdale I declared the gun but security demanded I walk through the metal detector. Advised them it would surely alert; they insisted nonetheless.

‘Course it did beep and was asked to empty my pockets. Complied and ‘security’ eyeballed my cigar punch and seized it as it had a razor edge.

A few years later had a very short notice flight from DCA with a gun in my checked bag. Had forgotten to remove a magazine from my briefcase and was embarrassed when it was identified. Thankfully an airport police officer was nearby and held it til I returned a few days later.

Now retired I fly regularly and usually have a gun in my checked bag. Never an issue.

Be safe.

 

[03hemi]

Our great Governor changed that here in GA a few years back. Now if you forget AND have a CCL you just turn around and go put in a locker, car or whatever you can accommodate, but you're free to go.
No CCL, you're still getting arrested.
However, anything outside of the "security area" is okay to carry open or concealed.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Our great Governor changed that here in GA a few years back. Now if you forget AND have a CCL you just turn around and go put in a locker, car or whatever you can accommodate, but you're free to go.
No CCL, you're still getting arrested.
However, anything outside of the "security area" is okay to carry open or concealed.

State laws differ; federal regulations apply nationwide. Regardless of whether it's legal to carry a firearm in a given state, or whether an individual traveler has a carry permit, it's a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to bring a gun into an airport checkpoint. The local police in Georgia might simply walk you out to your car (here in Maryland, you will be arrested) but TSA regulatory inspectors will prepare a civil enforcement action against you.

The minimum federal civil penalty for bringing a loaded firearm into an airport checkpoint is $3000. If there is a round chambered, it's $4950. If you are a pre-check passenger (as I am) you will lose that valuable designation.

Regardless of that: We're all "gun people" here, aren't we? I can tell you where every single one of my firearms is at all times, and I'm sure each of you can do the same. For anybody to have a loaded gun in his bag, and claim he "forgot" it was in there, is just plain irresponsible...there's no excuse for it.

Civil Enforcement | Transportation Security Administration

 

[sigp220.45]

I was flying out of DC pre-9/11 and had a Glock 27 in my fanny pack. I had gotten a law enforcement boarding pass, but they still wanted me to go through the security line. The Wackenhut lady insisted I put the pack on the moving belt. I told her I had an LE boarding pass, hoping that would clue her in as to what might be in the bag. Nothing. For some reason I was reluctant to say “gun”, so I said my buzzer was in it. Nothing. Same with gat, blaster, and roscoe. PUT YOUR BAG ON THE BELT. So I did.

So much for the theory Glocks can get through security. When it came up on her screen she stopped dead still and looked over at me. I tried to tell you, I said.

The cop nearby sorted it out. These people, he said.

Whenever I flew after 9/11 and would get the LE boarding pass the ticket clerk would ask, are you armed? To which I would reply - Yes. Heavily.

 

[GaryS]

The application of federal law varies quite widely between airports. Every out of compliance TSA incident I've had (all minor) resulted in the TSA official involved telling me "All of the other airports do it incorrectly, we do it right."

They is also a wide variation in interpretation. I've flown through several airports with minor things like a cigar lighter only to be stopped at one and having it confiscated.

A cynic might suspect that the TSA officer needed a new cigar lighter.

State laws differ; federal regulations apply nationwide.

 

[LVSteve]

I was flying out of DC pre-9/11 and had a Glock 27 in my fanny pack. I had gotten a law enforcement boarding pass, but they still wanted me to go through the security line. The Wackenhut lady insisted I put the pack on the moving belt. I told her I had an LE boarding pass, hoping that would clue her in as to what might be in the bag. Nothing. For some reason I was reluctant to say “gun”, so I said my buzzer was in it. Nothing. Same with gat, blaster, and roscoe. PUT YOUR BAG ON THE BELT. So I did.

So much for the theory Glocks can get through security. When it came up on her screen she stopped dead still and looked over at me. I tried to tell you, I said.

The cop nearby sorted it out. These people, he said.

Whenever I flew after 9/11 and would get the LE boarding pass the ticket clerk would ask, are you armed? To which I would reply - Yes. Heavily.

Remember, to TSA you are just little people, no matter what your LE credential says.

Here in Nevada you cannot take a firearm into an airport building...which is why all the car parks and parking structures are officially in the surrounding county.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I was flying out of DC pre-9/11 and had a Glock 27 in my fanny pack. I had gotten a law enforcement boarding pass, but they still wanted me to go through the security line. The Wackenhut lady insisted I put the pack on the moving belt. I told her I had an LE boarding pass, hoping that would clue her in as to what might be in the bag. Nothing. For some reason I was reluctant to say “gun”, so I said my buzzer was in it. Nothing. Same with gat, blaster, and roscoe. PUT YOUR BAG ON THE BELT. So I did.

So much for the theory Glocks can get through security. When it came up on her screen she stopped dead still and looked over at me. I tried to tell you, I said.

The cop nearby sorted it out. These people, he said.

Whenever I flew after 9/11 and would get the LE boarding pass the ticket clerk would ask, are you armed? To which I would reply - Yes. Heavily.

There is no comparison between pre-9/11 and post-9/11 airport security. Years ago, I used to fly regularly with my Leatherman tool and my pocket folding knife in my carry-on bag. Until the London bombing plot of 2006, you could bring bottles of wine, etc., through security.

I've always laughed at that whole fairytale about Glocks getting through security. Yeah, the receiver and the magazine body are polymer, but everything else is metal, and will set off a magnetometer or be very visible on an x-ray.

2006 transatlantic aircraft plot - Wikipedia

 

[Beemerguy53]

The application of federal law varies quite widely between airports. Every out of compliance TSA incident I've had (all minor) resulted in the TSA official involved telling me "All of the other airports do it incorrectly, we do it right."

People who work in the aviation industry, and those of us who fly regularly, know that when you've seen one airport...you've seen one airport.

...A cynic might suspect that the TSA officer needed a new cigar lighter.

A cynic who thinks that would be an idiot. Everything at airport checkpoints is being recorded on cameras. Besides, who would be stupid enough to get fired over a cigar lighter?

 

[GaryS]

Federal employee fired? And you think I'm the idiot.

People who work in the aviation industry, and those of us who fly regularly, know that when you've seen one airport...you've seen one airport.



A cynic who thinks that would be an idiot. Everything at airport checkpoints is being recorded on cameras. Besides, who would be stupid enough to get fired over a cigar lighter?

 

[BC38]

I got nailed with a speed strip full of 357 rounds in the thigh pocket of my cargo shorts one time. They were nice enough to let me leave the ammo with them and keep the speed strip...

 

[Beemerguy53]

Federal employee fired? And you think I'm the idiot.

Hey look, I get it...you broke the rules, you got caught, and you're bitter about that. But that doesn't mean the TSA officer who did his job is a thief, or justify your impugning his integrity.

If you have specific evidence that a TSA officer pocketed your cigar cutter instead of dropping it in their prohibited items bin, make a complaint. Everything is on camera.

 

[LVSteve]

Federal employee fired? And you think I'm the idiot.

Actually, I do know a federal employee who got fired. He went to a new job in another state and about three months later the FBI arrested one of his staff for a laundry list of fraud that went back years. As the guy's supervisor, he got hit with that wonderful US thing, "You should have known", and was fired without his pension benefits.

Word was the previous supervisor was not subject to sanction, despite having been in charge longer while the fraud was underway. Whole deal stank of "Yeah, Smith should have known, but he goes to the right church. Once the new guy gets in, drop the hammer."

 

[03hemi]

State laws differ; federal regulations apply nationwide. Regardless of whether it's legal to carry a firearm in a given state, or whether an individual traveler has a carry permit, it's a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to bring a gun into an airport checkpoint. The local police in Georgia might simply walk you out to your car (here in Maryland, you will be arrested) but TSA regulatory inspectors will prepare a civil enforcement action against you.

The minimum federal civil penalty for bringing a loaded firearm into an airport checkpoint is $3000. If there is a round chambered, it's $4950. If you are a pre-check passenger (as I am) you will lose that valuable designation.

Regardless of that: We're all "gun people" here, aren't we? I can tell you where every single one of my firearms is at all times, and I'm sure each of you can do the same. For anybody to have a loaded gun in his bag, and claim he "forgot" it was in there, is just plain irresponsible...there's no excuse for it.

Civil Enforcement | Transportation Security Administration

Maybe so, but in GA if you have a CCL and forget about your firearm, it's just an inconvenience now because you may miss your flight leaving security to store your gun.
You're only arrested if you don't have a CCL.
Think that's what I originally said?