Airline firearms declaration

[apollosmith]

I traveled for the first time with my firearm this week. I have a Utah permit and it was comforting to have my gun with me (except for the day in Illinois, when they require the gun to be locked up). I flew on Frontier Airlines and found the process very easy and straightforward. I followed all of the airline and TSA rules and made it easy for them.

In Salt Lake City they had me place the Firearms Declaration form inside my luggage, but outside the locked gun case. When returning from St. Louis, they insisted that the declaration go inside the locked gun case. So, which one is correct?

I've scoured the TSA web site and it doesn't seem to indicate which one is correct. I would think that unless they can 'see' the form inside a locked case with the X-ray machine, that the only way they could tell if the gun has been declared is to cut the lock, thus it should probably go outside the case, right?

 

[nplant]

In my experience, they prefer to put the tags inside the gun case, but I think the direction they get is that it not go outside the "luggage." So if your gun case is the actual luggage (in the instance of a rifle in a hard case, for example), the tag must go inside the locked container. In your case, it's probably okay either way. I prefer it personally if they put it in the case with the gun, so even if some ill-advised pilfering happens, maybe, just maybe, they won't bother screwing with the gun. Wishful thinking, probably, but in my mind it's marginally safer.

 

[GRIZ22]

In Salt Lake City they had me place the Firearms Declaration form inside my luggage, but outside the locked gun case. When returning from St. Louis, they insisted that the declaration go inside the locked gun case. So, which one is correct?


Not sure but they always told me to put it inside the guncase. I believe there is metal in the ink so if if gets xrayed somewhere they know you've declared the firearm.

 

[Synergy]

I have flown United with mine in a locked Pelican case. I inserted the card in the case. The counter agent never asked to see the gun nor for my key. I have heard stories that some people have been asked to give their key for a TSA inspection behind closed doors, without you being present. I will try and find the link, opening your case with out you present is illegal.

 

[MIL-DOT]

When i saw "Airline firearm delcaration", i immediately thought, "Sounds like the new politically correct term for.......THIS IS A HI-JACKING !!!! "

 

[RustyShackelford]

Firearms- US air travel

I took my Ruger GP-100(NYPD) .38spl with me last year on a one way trip from Orlando to Pittsburgh PA. I went on Southwest. I asked the same questions about firearms on planes and I did not have any real problems.
Here are a few tips;
1 Stay calm. If you act strange or worked up, TSA agents and/or airline employees will also get more worked up. Relax and explain that you have an unloaded firearm(s) in a locked, secured container. If you have a dispute, don't argue or get mad. You may want to print out the airline policy for ammo/guns to show the employees/TSA agents if needed.
2 Keep your ammo in a seperate locked container that can be inspected or like I did on my trip, keep your weapons unloaded and buy rounds where you plan to travel. I kept my Ruger .38spl unloaded and got some 125gr +P Remington JHP loads for the drive back.
3) Buy TSA approved locks, not all locks may be allowed and it will speed up your travel plans and aviod problems. I bought a TSA lock for my pistol case.
4) Keep track of your bags and don't let your bags go unsecured. When you pick up your bags, check to make sure your firearms are okay and do not leave them laying around. Don't sit in the bar and get drunk either. If you have problems, law enforcement/TSA won't be very happy campers, .
Have a safe trip!
RS

 

[apollosmith]

Rusty-

A few points:

- TSA allows ammo to be in the same container as your gun as long as it is in a container. They even allow it to be in a magazine as long as the open end is covered (in a mag pouch or taped over). However, the airline rules may be different. Most allow the ammo in the same gun case (some don't), but I don't think any specifically allow loaded magazines.

- DO NOT PUT A TSA LOCK ON YOUR GUN CASE. You and only you are to have access to the locked gun. By using a TSA-approved lock, you are essentially giving ANYONE access to your gun. If TSA or the airline needs the case opened, they must have you present. You *can* put a TSA-approved lock on your luggage itself, but should not put one on your gun case.

 

[GHF]

NO TSA Locks

- DO NOT PUT A TSA LOCK ON YOUR GUN CASE. You and only you are to have access to the locked gun. By using a TSA-approved lock, you are essentially giving ANYONE access to your gun. If TSA or the airline needs the case opened, they must have you present. You *can* put a TSA-approved lock on your luggage itself, but should not put one on your gun case.

Make sure you have the keys to the lockable hard-sided case with you and you alone (Per Federal Regulations § 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals - http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...v8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.9.2.10.6&idno=49) at all times. You will have to open the lockable hard-side case to demonstrate to the airline that the weapon(s) are not loaded at check in, and if the TSA wants to see.

 

[GHF]

Ammo in Mags

- TSA allows ammo to be in the same container as your gun as long as it is in a container. They even allow it to be in a magazine as long as the open end is covered (in a mag pouch or taped over). However, the airline rules may be different. Most allow the ammo in the same gun case (some don't), but I don't think any specifically allow loaded magazines.

According to my list of airlines that fly in/out of Orlando (MCO), the following do:

• Airtran
• Continental
• Frontier
• JetBlue
• Southwest