Flying Jetblue with Firearm & Ammo. Rule Clarification.

[sheepdog96]

Hey guys. Im flying out of Orlando tomorrow morning and I am tryign to decided if I should take my ammunition with me or if I should just get some when I get there. Jet blue is weird with the ammunition rules. Heres how they word it:

Ammunition for the firearm cannot be placed in the same container as the firearm. Ammunition must be housed in a separate container that is completely separate and distinct from the firearms locked box. The ammunition must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal box specifically designed for carrying small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition is limited to 10 pounds per customer.

What exactly does separate and distinct from the firearms locked box mean? I plan on using a S&W gun box that will be securely locked and cabled to my suitcase. I understand the ammunition cannot be in the S&W case but can it be in the same suitcase? Or should I place it in a separate checked bag? I will be carrying Gold Speed Dots that are in the original box. Also does the ammunition need to be locked as well?

 

[hso]

Same suitcase is ok as long as it is in a box of it's own and not loose.

Some airlines require this and others treat a magazine as cased ammo.

It is easier just to take a fresh box than debate the point.

Print THEIR instructions and put a copy in your case taped to the gun case and another in your pocket just in case you encounter a counter clerk that doesn't know their own rules.

 

[sheepdog96]

So I have a fresh box of gold dots. They can be in the same suitcase as the firearm, just not in the locked firearm case? Can the factory gold dot box just be zipped up into a pocket of the suitcase?

 

[tom e gun]

ok, i used to work for the TSA, so let me see if i can help,,, are you traveling with a pistol, or a rifle? the deal with ammo is, it has to be in some type of "proper" packaging. that means either the original box it came in, or some type of secure container specifically for ammunition. also they are stating that ammunition cannot be stored in the same container as the firearm... so if you have a locked pistol case, just dont have any ammo stored in the same case. you will also be required to fill out a firearms declaration, stating that 1, there is a firearm, and 2, it is unloaded. its kinda like signing a sworn statement. its meant to protect the airline in the event something happens with a firearm going off in someones luggage so they cant be sued because it was "declared" to be unloaded.
if you have a pistol, it can be inside your luggage, no need to have it on the outside of your bags. so for what it seems you are asking, no, ammo cannot be stored in same locked container as gun, but yes, it can be stored in same suitcase. im a little scatterbrained typing so let me know if this is unclear lol

 

[sheepdog96]

Tomegun, I follow you. It is a pistol. I was just unsure if the ammo needed to be in a separate suitcase or the same suitcase just not in the locked pistol case. So the ammo does not ned to be locked separately, correct?

 

[NavyLCDR]

The ammo can be in the same suitcase.

Also, there is a mistake on JetBlue's website - JetBlue tells you to give the key/combo to the locked gun case if TSA requests it. That is a violation of Federal Regulations which state that only the owner of the gun will maintain the key or combination to the lock. If TSA wants the gun case unlocked for inspection, you need to be the one to unlock the case personally.

 

[tom e gun]

NavyLT is absolutely correct, never ever give up your key, they are required to have you present to open your gun case ONLY if the TSA personnel have had cause for additional screening of the case (such as it wont fit thru the scanning machines or you are "randomly" selected for additional screening measures) i used to work for them and i have since travelled with firearms (i took like 5 or 6 guns, maybe more PLUS ammunition for them all) and i had no problems flying out or flying back. it was kinda funny, i felt so weird being in the airport with a bunch of guns like that ) i had my mossberg 500 cruiser, my winchester model '94 (from 1950) a ruger GP 100 .357 mag, a springfield micro compact 1911 and my trusty cap and ball repro 1860 army lol

 

[BIGBANG]

Can you have multiple firearms in the same case? I have a four pistol case that fits in my suitcase, could I take four pistols in that one case or would I need a different case for each gun?

 

[NavyLCDR]

From the JetBlue website:

One item of shooting equipment is considered:

One rifle case containing no more than two rifles with or without scopes, one shooting net, noise suppressors, and a small rifle tool set, or one shotgun case containing no more than two shotguns, or one pistol case containing no more than four pistols, or one bow and quiver of arrows and maintenance kit enclosed in a case or container of sufficient strength to protect the bow and quiver with arrows from accidental damage.

 

[BIGBANG]

Thanks navy for clarifying it. muchos gracias

 

[bgtusker]

If you check-in a gun, it must be in a locked hardcase suitcase(or seperate gun/rifle case) with a declaration note and unloaded. If you are not using a hand gun case(or the case is unlocked) and your suitcase is soft-sided, the suitcase now "must" be locked. If a hand gun case is used, and it's" locked," it " can " travel in soft sided suitcase, again w/a declaration note,the soft-sided suit case "now" doesn't need to be locked. Ammo must be "properly packaged" and can be in the same suitcase/riflecase. If you use TSA locks thats fine because the screeners have master keys. In bigger airports, screeners are behind the counter desk in a secure area, passengers not allowed. If they find on their x-ray moniter, (loaded gun, prohibited item, loose ammo, ied, or something they can't I.D or doesn't fit, in or directly next to the gun, "in the locked case"), or they also can be looking at an item on other side of the bag, they can and will open it with your TSA lock or if there is a pattalock, they will go up front to the counter and inform the agent. The agent will then call you over the intercom to bring the key(or combination). If you show up, the agent will use her badge to get into the checked baggage room and give the key to the screeners, then take back the key to you. I suggest you wait nearby after checking in your bag to quickly hand over the key,(for a bag check) if needed, usually no problem.The agent can inform you when your bag is clear and you can go. Other locks will be cut if a passenger doesn't show but the agent will usually find you sitting at the gate and get the key or combination.Passengers are not allowed to open(bag checks). In smaller airpots it may situated a little different, screeners may open all luggage out near the counter where passengers are present because only a small number of bags are checked.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Just to clarify ^^^^^

The gun must be in a hardsided case locked with a non-TSA lock, which only the owner retains the key/combo too. That is Federal law. The locked, hardsided case can be a suitcase or a case dedicated to the gun. The gun case can then go in a softsided suitcase, if desired, and the softsided suitcase can be locked with a TSA lock, if desired.

But the Federal law requires the unloaded gun to be locked in a hardsided case, with a lock that only the owner retains the key/combo to. Relinquishing the key/combo to anyone (TSA, police, airline agent) is a violation of Federal regulations.

49 CFR 1540.111

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...8&view=text&node=49:9.1.3.5.10.2.10.6&idno=49

§ 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.

(c) In checked baggage. A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under §1562.23 of this chapter:

(1) Any loaded firearm(s).

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—

(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;

(ii) The firearm is unloaded;

(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and

(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

 

[sheepdog96]

Just wanted to say thanks for everyones responses on my question. I made it to my destination with no problems at all! Besides the check in clerk not knowing what a declaration form was it went smoothly. They did not even check the pistol to see if it was unloaded. I guess the scanner took care of that.

I was pretty worried when I got there because there was a HUGE line to check in. I thought for sure the clerk was going to ask me to take out the pistol to verify it was unloaded. Got lucky I guess. Although the man standing next to me in line looked at me like I said I had killed a kitten or something. He was very shocked that I told the clerk I had an unloaded firearm I needed to declare. Overall it was very painless. I was way more nervous then I should have been. If I do any more travel to states thats honor my FL CFL I will definitely be traveling with my gun

 

[Cop Bob]

NavyLT is absolutely correct, never ever give up your key, they are required to have you present to open your gun case ONLY if the TSA personnel have had cause for additional screening of the case (such as it wont fit thru the scanning machines or you are "randomly" selected for additional screening measures) i used to work for them and i have since travelled with firearms (i took like 5 or 6 guns, maybe more PLUS ammunition for them all) and i had no problems flying out or flying back. it was kinda funny, i felt so weird being in the airport with a bunch of guns like that ) i had my mossberg 500 cruiser, my winchester model '94 (from 1950) a ruger GP 100 .357 mag, a springfield micro compact 1911 and my trusty cap and ball repro 1860 army lol

Things are different now, but prior to 9/11 I flew once, declared the firearm, had it secured with a small pad-lock and several zip ties... When I arrived at my destination, the ties had been cut, the lock destroyed.. all was in it's place, nothing missing, but you could tell that the case had been "tossed" or searched.. no notice, no explanation, no nothing..