[Dr_2_B]

Hey. I was reading a couple posts about people carrying where legal. Granted, I might not do this today, but I've carried a number of times in an airport. I recall reading on my permit that I was prohibited from carrying the gun in an airport "terminal." To me at the time, that meant... well... in the terminal - that thing you enter after you've gone through the metal detector.

Problem is, that was probably wishful thinking on my part and I believe any LEO in the airport wouldn't read that the same way I did. Anyone else faced this question?

[DougW]

I carry all the time I go to DFW Int., as long as I am not traveling. It's OK in the terminal, but not (of course, though it should be for a legally licensed citiczen) in the so called "secure areas".

[BenjaminR]

You cannot carry past the security checkpoints (in the steril area) but you may carry outside that area (in Arizona...not sure about other states).

If it is legal to carry into the non-steril area in your state, I'd strongly recommend your weapon is completely concealed to not bring attention to yourself. Once again, DO NOT attempt to carry your gun past the security checkpoint...unless, of course, you're on your merry way to Club Fed.

-Benjamin

[03Shadowbob]

I am wondering about this myself for Florida as it reads you can not carry insidethe pass. terminal and sterile area of the airport. Now I am not sure what they mean by sterile so it may just be one of those all encompassing terms meaning everywhere but I'd like to hear from someone more educated than me on this.

[BenjaminR]

The steril area is the area in which there should be no weapons of any kind. Anything beyond the security check point is the steril area. Anything prior to the security checkpoint is pretty much a public, non-steril area.

It has been brought to my attention that carrying in airports varies from state to state. In AZ you may carry if you're not traveling and/or going through the security checkpoint. Other states, I have no idea.

[gazpacho]

In the state of Arizona, you can carry in any non-secured area.

In the state of Nevada, you cannot carry on airport property. That includes the parking lots.

[RNB65]

In VA, carry in an airport terminal is prohibited. That includes the entire terminal building. LEO's are exempted.

[1911austin]

Federal Law prohibits carry in the secure areas. Laws concerning carry in unsecured areas are determined at the state level.

[Billy_H]

I am wondering about this myself for Florida as it reads you can not carry insidethe pass. terminal and sterile area of the airport. Now I am not sure what they mean by sterile so it may just be one of those all encompassing terms meaning everywhere but I'd like to hear from someone more educated than me on this.

In Florida you are fine as long as you don't pass the security checkpoint....then you've entered a "sterile" area. Any place in the airport that the general (non-traveling) public can enter is ok...

[musher]

In Alaska, you can't carry in the sterile area under state law, but Anchorage and Fairbanks International have regulations prohibiting firearms anywhere on airport property.

--ALSO--

Alaska law mandates that you carry a firearm and ammunition with your survival gear in a light plane--many of which are tied down at the big airports.

Don't know if it's been tested/resolved in court.