What can I take in a carry-on?

Rule3 said:

I do not see a problem other than some Airlines have additional regulations that do not mesh with the Federal Laws.Calling the airline may help if you can get anyone that knows anything. It's all crazy.

As the are Kydex I would wipe/wash them down to eliminate and GSR. If that is detected then you will have a bad day.

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Actually, not what they are "sniffing" for.

I had to leave Front Sight in Nevada directly after I finished my shooting for the day. No time to clean up, and even -I- could smell the GSR on me. Sailed right through security, no problemo.

mgkdrgn said:

Actually, not what they are "sniffing" for.

I had to leave Front Sight in Nevada directly after I finished my shooting for the day. No time to clean up, and even -I- could smell the GSR on me. Sailed right through security, no problemo.

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And that is one of the more irritating parts of the whole farce. How arbitrary, random and it capricious all is.

Lost Sheep

Why would these be a hassle if empty and no gun? No different than taking a fancy cell phone carry device or similar

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Anything that can be described as a 'firearm part' is verboten from long before TSA.

A spare 1911 hammer is not allowed.
A rifle bolt is not allowed.
A rifle scope is not allowed.
You might get a spotting scope through by playing dumb and saying it is for bird watching.

Some airports are smart enough to have a mailing services booth adjacent to the lines.
At least a few of the booths provide next day service.

Pay $$.
You have to decide how much the object is worth and how bad you want to bring it.

Some things it is just as easy to send to yourself next day care of the hotel, or just purchase new items to be delivered to you next day at the hotel.

I have spent many hours and days at cyclotrons measuring the response of semiconductors and material to space radiation.

It is far easier to have things sent to a Hampton Inn that to quickly get them through receiving at a large cyclotron facility.
Now it must be sent CO a cyclotron employee so receiving knows who it should be delivered to.
The front desk at the hotel will call me if set up ahead of time and I can just drive over and pick it up from the desk.

National Public Radio Friday 1/3/14reported that a lady Music Teacher was detained for 30 minutes because she had a tuning fork on her person. No one at the TSA recognized what it was. None of the TSA people would let her talk and explain what it was.

Lost Sheep

Keep in mind that TSA is not the only promulgator of rules.

The FAA has very long standing rules about anything considered a 'gun part' by THEM.

In almost every case, the most restrictive of multiple rules applies.

GSR will likely be an issue

Last time I flew, immediately before going to the airport I took my gun (in holster) out of the center console of my vehicle and put it in the safe in the house. I did not handle it otherwise--just out of the console and into the safe.

I always opt out of the "body scan" so I get a pat-down and swab. The swab found the GSR and I was subjected to "additional screening." The TSA staff was polite and professional, and of course they found nothing so I was able to continue without any issues, but I thought it was interesting that they were able to find GSR from me just moving the gun from one place to another.

Edit to add-- None of my baggage has ever been near the range, so the GSR did not come from my bag.

While going thru security at Las Vegas my wife asked to have her camera hand checked instead of going thru X-Ray. Outside of camera checked positive for nitrate. They asked to see her. Her hands checked positive. Then she said she had just used handcream. That stuff also contains nitrates. Anyway, we were cleared thru buy they did take some information from her and added her name to some list. Never heard anything else and we have flown many times since w/o incident. I would say anything that is firearm related should go in check thru baggage or mailed to destination in advance. TSA people can be reasonable or your worst event of the day.