Airports and Pistols

[adamsredlines]

Is traveling with a pistol any more of a pain in the ass than regular checked baggage?

I see it has to be in a secure and locked hard case, unloaded.
If I take ammo, can I just have loaded magazines with an unloaded gun or does it have to be empty gun, empty mags, box of ammo?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[tRidiot]

empty gun, empty mags, box of ammo?

This, I believe. Each airline has a slightly different procedure, so it depends whom you're flying with. In addition, where you're flying to and through. I skipped taking one with me to AZ over spring break because I didn't want to hassle with it, but basically, you can't use curbside check-in, you have to go through an agent because you have to declare it.

I believe on SW, which is whom I was flying with, if it was a hard-side locked suitcase, your inner gun box did not have to be locked, but if it was a soft-sided suitcase, it had to be a hard, locked pistol case. Don't quote me on that, as, like I said, I ended up not bringing one along.

Each airline, however, has its own policy, which should be published on their website. I would print this out, follow it to the letter and carry a copy of this policy with me to point out to airline employees whom may be confidently misinformed on their own carrier's policy - a situation not uncommon, especially when shipping firearms.

 

[adamsredlines]

Hmmm...I didnt think about the layover.

Tulsa to Chicago, Chicago to Dayton. I guess with the laws there, Chicago could be an issue.

I'm flying United, I will try to find their policy. I was basing the above off of federal law.

 

[adamsredlines]

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/sports.aspx

United accepts shooting equipment as checked baggage in hard-sided, securely locked firearms cases or containers. Locked cases that can easily be opened are not permitted. All firearms cases must meet the following safety criteria in order to be accepted for travel:

• Firearms will be accepted only from a customer who is 18 years of age or older.
• The regulations below refer to all firearms (or items that may resemble a firearm), including airsoft guns, BB guns, paintball guns and any antique trophy guns or weapons.
• International firearm regulations and laws vary by destination and transiting country. Contact appropriate consulates or embassies to obtain specific entry requirements applicable to destination(s). United is not liable for any assistance or information relating to such regulations or compliance with such laws provided by any United employee or agent to any customers, or for the consequences to any customer resulting from his or her failure to comply with such regulations or laws.
  • Firearms are not accepted to and from Bahrain, Cuba, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nigeria, Palau, Philippines, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
  • Customers traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) with checked firearms and/or ammunition must be in possession of a gun import license or a temporary transportation permit, which must be certified and validated by a Guatemalan Consulate. Customers traveling with checked firearms and/or ammunition through Guatemala City do not require a permit as long as their bag does not leave the airport controlled area. Customers must ensure they have all the necessary documents required at their final destination.
  • Customers traveling to or through Milan, Italy (MXP) or Rome, Italy (FCO) with checked firearms/ammunition are subject to police clearance at their first point of entry into Italy. Security staff will take the firearms/ammunition to the police office for inspection. Firearms and ammunition must be packed in separate containers.
  • Customers traveling to or through Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) with checked firearms/ammunition must obtain permission from the Netherlands Consulate/Embassy in their country of origin prior to departure. Weapons are subject to confiscation in Amsterdam unless the owner can show all required permits. Customers traveling on military orders with checked firearms may do so without prior consent from Dutch Customs. Checked military ammunition is forbidden.
  • For travel to and from the United Kingdom, pistols, rifles and shotguns must be packed in a hard-sided rifle case. Customers must have the appropriate license or certificate in addition to a British Visitor's Permit (BVP). A Great Britain resident will need to act as a sponsor and submit a BVP application to their local firearms licensing department on your behalf.
• Curbside check-in of a firearm is not permitted.
• Firearms must be packed in a hard-sided container with a lock. The container must be locked at the time of acceptance by United Airlines and the key or combination must remain in the customer's possession. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can easily be opened will not be accepted for travel. Using a TSA-approved lock can help speed up the security screening process for firearms.
• Handguns must be packed in a hard-sided container with a lock. The container must be locked at the time of acceptance by United Airlines and the key or combination must remain in the customer's possession. The locked hard-sized container holding the handgun may be placed inside an unlocked soft-side piece of luggage. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can easily be opened will not be accepted for travel.
• Customers may only pack up to five firearms in any case or bag. However, there is no limit on the number of cases or bags they are permitted to check.
• The firearm will be transported in a section of the aircraft that is inaccessible to the customer. Proof of registration is not required.
• Firearms carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.
• No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried.
  • The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container.
  • The ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers.
  • The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement.
  • Loaded ammunition magazines or clips must be removed from the firearm, and must be securely packed in boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition and must fit over any exposed ends of the magazine or clip.
  • Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectile will not be accepted.
  • Black powder, for black powder arms, is considered hazardous material and will not be accepted as checked baggage.

First or second checked bag service charges may apply.

Note: Customer must sign and date a Firearm Declaration Tag declaring that the firearm is not loaded.

 

[beastep]

I struggled with this last time I flew to South Carolina. I decided to just not take one and not risk a huge blow up at the airport and risk my little girl having her vacation messed up. We always stay with my sister and luckily she just bought a G19 and Ill just carry it when Im out there this summer.

 

[dennishoddy]

I've carried a pistol in my luggage several times. United and American. Always used the TSA locks on the suitcase and the hard sided pistol box.
All of the airports traveled in and out of acted like no big deal with the exception of Denver. They make a big deal out of it every time. They call a TSA agent that escorts you and your bag to a separate screening area where the guy just ran a wand around the zipper, then put it on a conveyor and we were free to go. Adds another 20 minutes to the check in time.

 

[Parks 788]

I travel all the time with my rifles and pistols. Many time from Calif to OK. Rarely a problem and I think most you you are making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. Traveling to OK over Memorial weekend and will be bringing my Shield for CCW.

 

[SMS]

I travel all the time with my rifles and pistols. Many time from Calif to OK. Rarely a problem and I think most you you are making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. Traveling to OK over Memorial weekend and will be bringing my Shield for CCW.

This. Follow the instructions and it's no more difficult than flying without a firearm. Just one additional step at check in.

If you layover in a non-permissive location, do NOT take possession of your bags no matter what.

 

[Glocktogo]

This. Follow the instructions and it's no more difficult than flying without a firearm. Just one additional step at check in.

If you layover in a non-permissive location, do NOT take possession of your bags no matter what.

This, this 1000X this. Travelling with a firearm in checked luggage is no big deal and I've done it a lot. However, if your air carrier goofs up and tries to tender your bag in a non-permissive location, refuse to accept it and demand they ensure its arrival at the final (permissive). location.