Firearms and flying

Tanis143 · Aug 4, 2020

Ok, in two weeks the missus and I are flying to Vegas for a birthday/graduation/going to college party of a girl we have known literally since she was born. With the way things are going I'm not going anywhere without my pistol. Since Nevada, thankfully, hasn't gone full libtard yet, they recognize our CCW licenses. I've looked up both the TSA and SW regulations on flying with my handgun but I had one question I couldn't find the answer for. Is it ok to leave the ammo in the mag as long as the mag is A) not inserted in the firearm and B) locked in the same case as the firearm? This will save me from having to buy a small ammo case.

Also, are you allowed to place the locked pistol case in your checked baggage or does it travel by itself?

FreeSpiritBalloon · Aug 4, 2020

I flew SW to STL and back last fall and then it was a locked case inside a checked bag with ammo in the same locked case. I don’t think I left the mags loaded. Ask for firearms declaration form at the baggage check counter. OKC was nothing. Leaving STL, they told me to listen for 30 minutes to the PA and come back to the baggage counter if called. If nothing in 30 minutes, proceed through security. I got in the security line after 25 minutes and they called me back to give the key to TSA so they could inspect the firearm case. Wait 20 minutes to get my key back then through security. Pickup was on the regular carousel both times. I have heard of some airports making you pick up your bag at an office. Just give yourself some extra time.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rc508pir · Aug 4, 2020

Just take a Glock. It will pass right through the metal detector :blush:

druryj · Aug 4, 2020

You can pack the ammo in the factory cardboard carton it came in and lock it in the same case as your pistol, which is then placed inside your checked baggage. DO NOT use a TSA lock, you are the only one with keys able to open the container with the pistol /a/mags/ammo. I use a small pair of Masterlock padlocks. I also put one of those cable locks you get with a new pistol to good use and lock the firearm container to the frame inside the suitcase, if there is one.

Just be cool and declare the unloaded firearm in a locked container at the check in counter and you will be fine. "Hi, I have an unloaded firearm in a locked container I'd like to declare in my checked baggage"

Done it many times, never a problem as long as you follow the rules and don't be acting all wild-eyed and nervous and sweaty. Then you're likely to get the full body strip search, to include the TSA Approved Anal Probe.

EDIT: The person at the counter will place a sticker/tag on the container, declaring the unloaded firearm, to go inside the checked bag. It is NOT to go on the outside of the checked bag so everyone knows there's a gun inside.

Aries · Aug 4, 2020

You should also make sure it is legal to possess the gun, mag, etc. in the city of destination. Lots of people have been arrested in NYC not because they didn't pack or check it correctly, but because NYC has laws against possession. Some have been arrested for simply having an unloaded "high capacity" magazine.

dennishoddy · Aug 4, 2020

Traveled many times on airlines with weapons in the suitcase.
NEVER carry on, only checked luggage.
Here is the direct info from the TSA. TSA locks are allowed.

Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

Ammunition

Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline.
Ammunition may be transported in the same hard-sided, locked case as a firearm if it has been packed as described above. You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.
Please check with your airline for quantity limits for ammunition.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

I've never had a problem at any airport except for Denver.
Most just go through their particular airline regulations scanning the bag with a sniffer or nothing at all once declared.
Denver sent two TSA agents to escort me to a separate examining room where the luggage was only sniffed, not opened and then sent on its way through a separate conveyor line to our aircraft. Otherwise it's always been handled right at the check in counter.

Just my opinion, but I think the Government should allow airports to be deregulated for firearms passing through them no matter what the state regs are to prevent incidences #aries discussed.
A case in mind was a gentleman that was legally possessing a pistol on an aircraft that got diverted to NYC.
Being an honest gun owner he declared the firearm when changing flights. He was arrested, jailed and if I remember right had one of the gun rights insurance policies that helped him, and there was a court fight. I think the NRA got involved as well.
Spit balling here on the incident from memory.

OKCHunter · Aug 4, 2020

I flew to Las Vegas and back with a pistol. The magazine was removed from the gun and the chambered round was removed. All other rounds were still in the mag. The gun and magazine were stored in the same locked case, inside my checked baggage. I had no issue on declaration in Oklahoma at check-in. On the return trip, I declared the pistol at check-in. However, TSA called me back from the gate and asked that I unlock the box in my checked baggage for their inspection. They looked and had no issue with the gun and loaded magazine in the same locked box.

jstaylor62 · Aug 5, 2020

If you are not booked on a non-stop flight, gun friendly city to gun friendly city, be sure you are traversing other gun friendly cities. It can become an issue if you have aircraft problems and get grounded in route in an unfriendly city. This can become more of an issue if you are travelling to the Northeast and re-routed to Chicago or DC.

Snattlerake · Aug 5, 2020

Two interesting tidbits about Nevada.

CARRY IN BARS/RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE ALCOHOL?
Can you carry a firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Nevada?

Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a Nevada Firearm permit or a license/permit from a state Nevada honors, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence.

[Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.257]

CARRY/POSSESS AT A HOTEL?
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Nevada?

Nevada statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.

Glocktogo · Aug 5, 2020

Tanis143 said:
Ok, in two weeks the missus and I are flying to Vegas for a birthday/graduation/going to college party of a girl we have known literally since she was born. With the way things are going I'm not going anywhere without my pistol. Since Nevada, thankfully, hasn't gone full libtard yet, they recognize our CCW licenses. I've looked up both the TSA and SW regulations on flying with my handgun but I had one question I couldn't find the answer for. Is it ok to leave the ammo in the mag as long as the mag is A) not inserted in the firearm and B) locked in the same case as the firearm? This will save me from having to buy a small ammo case.

Also, are you allowed to place the locked pistol case in your checked baggage or does it travel by itself?

Official answer: you can keep the mags loaded, but the business end should be covered, i.e. mag pouch or other enclosure. They can be in the pistol case in that condition. The hard-sided case should be locked with a lock to which only you have a key (that's how the exact federal regulation reads). That pistol case can then go inside your regular suitcase with the filled out firearms declaration place on top of the pistol case.

Have a safe trip!

Firearms and flying

Tanis143

Sharpshooter

FreeSpiritBalloon

Sharpshooter

rc508pir

Sharpshooter

druryj

In Remembrance / Dec 27 2021

Aries

Sharpshooter

dennishoddy

Sharpshooter

OKCHunter

Sharpshooter

jstaylor62

Sharpshooter

Snattlerake

Conservitum Americum

Glocktogo

Sharpshooter

Similar threads

Latest posts

Firearms and flying

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

In Remembrance / Dec 27 2021

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter

Conservitum Americum

Sharpshooter

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!