Flying into Kansas City Int'l with my CCW pistol

[B BRI]

Taking a quick trip from Denver to Kansas City tomorrow to go pick up a car, and driving home. I am planning on taking my CCW pistol along (obviously as checked baggage on the flight). Anything weird I need to know about flying into KC? Both Missouri and Kansas honor my CCW, and I don't relish the long drive home without it, so am planning on taking it.

Anything I'm missing?

 

[Justo]

You should have no problems coming into KCI as long as you properly declared you pistol with you airline at the departure airport. In fact you are allowed to carry in the terminal outside the secure gate area at KCI.

 

[jaholder1971]

You should have zero troubles driving through Kansas, either. Some of the gas stations (Kwik Shops) are posted, we avoid them on principle. Just make certain you've got all your purchase paperwork for the car together and you'll be fine.

If you get a chance, stop and get a meal at the Brookville Hotel in Abilene, some of the best pan-fried chicken and fixings served family style.

 

[harrygunner]

I have flown into and out of MCI (KCI). No problem.

In fact, except for an annoyance with AirTran out of Miami, in fifteen years, I've never encountered any problem with any airport.

People flying with guns is ancient news, while of course, it's new to some people, so:

---

Make sure you get and sign the red or occasionally, white tag to declare an unloaded firearm. The agent will ask you to place the signed form in the case your gun is secured in.

The "ammo issue" has been the only source of confusion on the part of TSA agents. So, I paid less than $10 for a security box from Office Depot.

It's a small (7in x 7in x 2in) metal box with a lock on it. There's room for two or three ammo boxes after discarding the plastic inserts it comes with. I place my ammo in a factory ammo box, like the one the ammo came in. Then, lock the ammo box in the security box. Since doing this, there has not been a single issue about ammo.

For the gun, I use a Center of Mass portable gun safe.

It has a cable one can use to secure the gun safe to another object.

http://www.center-of-mass.com/

My luggage has metal struts inside that house the collapsible extended handle. I wrapped the security cable around a strut inside the luggage. This adds a step to separating the gun from the luggage. Without cutting the cable, the gun and luggage stay together. TSA or I can open the safe while it's tethered to the luggage.

I wait near the counter, while my luggage is scanned, for a "thumbs up" from TSA before going to my gate.

 

[allank]

In fact you are allowed to carry in the terminal outside the secure gate area at KCI.

I do not believe that is currently correct. My recollection is that the entire terminal building area, including unsecured, is posted at the entrance doors as no weapons by Kansas City, MO city statute. And they have no weapons signs where the pictures show a handgun and a knife.

Correcting my own post: Does MO state have preemption? Or is the airport a non carry location in state law?

 

[Kleanbore]

Does MO state have preemption? Or is the airport a non carry location in state law?

Yes; no; the state law allows property owners and operators to post non carry signs.

 

[jojosdad]

TSA or I can open the safe

Unless the law has been changed recently, you are the only one legally authorized to open your safe.

 

[allank]

Yes; no; the state law allows property owners and operators to post non carry signs.

OK, so same as Kansas. In that case the terminal buildings are posted.

 

[GHF]

How to Fly With Your Pistole

Having traveled a number of times, here's how I go at it:

1. Review http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm to understand TSA policies and procedures. Have a copy with you when you reach the airport.
2. Put the unloaded weapon(s) in a lockable hard-sided case with locks only you have the keys/combination to open. TSA locks are not allowed.
3. Steps that will make it easier to show that the weapon is unloaded - especially when x-rayed.
   • If the weapon is a:
     • semi-automatic
       • lock the slide open
       • put a cable tie through the barrel and out the breach to show that the chamber is empty
     • revolver, flip the cylinder out
   • Do not put the magazines in this locked case with the gun(s):
     • it invites questions about them being loaded
     • if the gun case is "liberated" from the checked bag by a Criminal Entrepreneur, the lack of magazines frustrates the "Liberator", since the weapon is now initially a single shot one
4. Check the airline(s) you are flying on:
   • To determine if the ammo
     • MUST be in boxes (plastic reload boxes work)
     • can fly in loaded magazines
   • If loaded magazines are permitted, make sure the pouches fully cover the magazines
   • The round(s) from the chamber(s)/cylinder(s) must be in a box, not loose
5. Secure and protect magazines (separately from the weapon) and ammunition boxes from possible damage.
6. Put the lockable hard-sided case with the weapon and the ammo/magazines into a cheap, non-descript bag - with clear labeling outside and inside - for checking in.
   • If possible, develop a way to attach - in a lockable way - the hard-sided case to the piece of luggage it has been placed into.
   • The labeling should be limited to:
     • Your Name
     • Your Cell Phone - if you have one, or your home phone if you do not
     • Your personal email address - if you have one
     • NO ADDRESSES, JOB TITLES, ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE INDICATED
7. Other stuff - like shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, could be in this checked bag also.
8. Have the rules for the airline in hand when you check this non-descript bag at the airport.
9. Make sure you have the keys/combinations to the lockable hard-sided case with you and you alone (Per Federal Regulations 49CFR § 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 (a signed form/tag indicating that will go in with the weapon(s))
   • if the TSA wants to see
10. Have the serial number(s) and descriptions of your weapons on you, so if they "disappear" you can report the loss/theft immediately to the:
    • airline
    • FAA Regional Office
    • ATF Regional Office

Other things to consider:

1. Check www.handgunlaw.us and/or http://apps.carryconcealed.net/packngo/index.php to determine:
   • If you can possess the weapon at all your stops
   • Where and how you can carry at all your stops
   • What are the deadly force rules in each state you are visiting
2. Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourRights/us letter.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.