Take empty holster onto airplane?

[RobertJ.]

if you've noticed General Media Coverage of this type of thing Lately

Your Portrayal may have been less than Positive

Perhaps!

But it really boils down to one's comfort level. If one isn't comfortable carrying a simple piece of leather in their carry-on, they shouldn't.

Again I'll say, they didn't look at me twice.

If I'd ever seen, or if someone could point out, one single incidence where that proved to be a negative experience, I might change my tune.

 

[Tony C.]

This happen to a friend of mine, he was in Dallas Tex. for a brief business meeting, just had a carry on bag with him, no check luggage, took a little side trip to a gun shop and picked up a pair of wood pistol grip and put them in his carry on bag, TSA agent discover them during boarding, they said "no gun parts allowed". Its 2 pieces of wood! No! its gun parts! and you are not getting on the plane unless you surrender them.

He surrender them, that was about 5 years ago.

 

[Whitwabit]

I don't understand why you wouldn't leave the pistol in the holster and check it in with your baggage ..

Why would anyone want draw attention to themselves in a situation like this ?? And I'm sure a empty holster would cause that added attention !!

 

[photoman]

They already have the authority to sexually assault you in public. Why in the world would you want to give them a reason to?!

 

[turnerriver]

This is just my experience and not a recommendation to anyone.
I buy holsters everywhere and anywhere, if I have a bag checked I put them in it but I frequently don’t so they go in the carryon. My harmonicas get my carryon searched about 50% of the time but I’ve never had even a comment about a holster. I’ve had holsters in the same bag with the harmonicas, each harmonica is opened and examined, the holsters never even draw a comment. I’ve been asked why I need so many harmonicas but never been asked about having 5 or 6 holsters in my bag.
Apparently the harmonicas look like magazines to some TSA scanners, others usually smile and comment on them but pass them through.
I’ve never had a problem carrying multiple holsters through but everyone who said they can hassle you if they feel like it is right.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[WardenRoss]

Here’s a scenario from behind the badge.

We have a report of a male seen armed. You are spotted wearing a holster from a distance.

You may have a bad day and I hope your time is not very valuable.


Pecked out on my iPhone.

 

[RobertJ.]

This is just my experience and not a recommendation to anyone.
I buy holsters everywhere and anywhere, if I have a bag checked I put them in it but I frequently don’t so they go in the carryon. My harmonicas get my carryon searched about 50% of the time but I’ve never had even a comment about a holster. I’ve had holsters in the same bag with the harmonicas, each harmonica is opened and examined, the holsters never even draw a comment. I’ve been asked why I need so many harmonicas but never been asked about having 5 or 6 holsters in my bag.
Apparently the harmonicas look like magazines to some TSA scanners, others usually smile and comment on them but pass them through.
I’ve never had a problem carrying multiple holsters through but everyone who said they can hassle you if they feel like it is right.
Regards,
turnerriver

I've ALWAYS had harmonicas in my carry-on, usually 2 or 3, and it's never been a problem.

 

[RobertJ.]

Here’s a scenario from behind the badge.

We have a report of a male seen armed. You are spotted wearing a holster from a distance.

You may have a bad day and I hope your time is not very valuable.


Pecked out on my iPhone.

Wearing a holster and having one in your carry-on are two completely different scenarios.

I wore a holster into a county courthouse in Portland, and the sheriff at the door said as long as the gun was locked in my vehicle, it was no problem. But would I wear one in an airport? I don't think so!

 

[WardenRoss]

Wearing a holster and having one in your carry-on are two completely different scenarios.

I wore a holster into a county courthouse in Portland, and the sheriff at the door said as long as the gun was locked in my vehicle, it was no problem. But would I wear one in an airport? I don't think so!

...But I'm wondering if anyone has experience taking a holster and (empty) ammo pouch onto the plane, either on the belt or in carry on luggage?

Sir, I was addressing the "on the belt" part of his question.

My point was that an officer may be looking at the holster from a different frame of mind than you are aware of even though it may be proper and legal.

In your scenario, if a skirmish has occurred an hour earlier with an individual carrying a pistol and entering into the courthouse, things might have went different for you. Especially if you did not declare it first.

Officers at courthouses are faced with a difficult security challenge mainly because of disgruntled and desperate people. Desperate people do desperate things.

I respectfully submit that wearing an empty holster "on the belt" in certain places, when it may be legal, may not be the wisest choice. Especially if a garment is covering the top part. Why make the officer's job more difficult?

 

[joeintexas]

I guess I just don't see the reasoning in taking a chance like that. You know that will bring immediate attention to you and a needless explanation from you. Unless you're just wanting the attention it is sure to bring I would pack it with the firearm. Maybe I missed something here.

 

[McGivern]

I wouldn't take a chance with a holster either. As a sidenote, you may try what I did several years ago. I was flying to the Tulsa show with several ivory grips and exotic wood grips I didn't want to check. Before I checked my bag, I found a TSA supervisor and explained the situation to him. He said go on to the checkpoint and if they question it, have them page me. The screener asked me about them and said go on thru. No hassle at all.

 

[RobertJ.]

Sir, I was addressing the "on the belt" part of his question.

My point was that an officer may be looking at the holster from a different frame of mind than you are aware of even though it may be proper and legal.

In your scenario, if a skirmish has occurred an hour earlier with an individual carrying a pistol and entering into the courthouse, things might have went different for you. Especially if you did not declare it first.

Officers at courthouses are faced with a difficult security challenge mainly because of disgruntled and desperate people. Desperate people do desperate things.

I respectfully submit that wearing an empty holster "on the belt" in certain places, when it may be legal, may not be the wisest choice. Especially if a garment is covering the top part. Why make the officer's job more difficult?

Fair enough, I can see your point.

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought a muzzle loading single shot percussion pistol while in Afghanistan. I removed the barrel from the stock and sent the barrel home via registered mail. I put the wooden stock, complete with lock, and stuck it in my carry on luggage. No one said a word about the stock, even though I went through three airline check points.

 

[JH1951]

...........
I know I can just put the holster and ammo pouch in checked luggage, along with the gun, but the holster in particular would take a while to replace if it gets "lost", so I'd rather keep it with me if it's allowed..............

I am confident that you are aware there are potential "issues" with your plan, otherwise I doubt you would have posed the question.
My opinion: I would not kick the bee hive.
Consider taking a different holster, or mail it ahead.
There are far too many variables at play to risk any kerfuffle, and especially one that overall you will not win without considerable inconvenience or sacrifice.
If I had a holster that was that "meaningful", I would likely not put it at jeopardy. I likely would not mail it either.

 

[BearBio]

Wife and I flew from SeaTac to SoCal. Locked our guns in a safe in the car. Leaving SoCal, the did a thorough search of the wife because she had a CCW purse with a built-in holster. They were nice about it but thorough.

 

[Squarebutt]

My suggestion would be to either mail it out Priority two days ahead, or put it in the same locked box as the pistol. If that box goes missing, it will get a lot more attention by the TSA and maybe even the BATFE.