Flying with a handgun

[SkinnyGrey]

I want fly to Washington State and check my handgun. I am thinking this will be in March. I am wondering if I should contact the airport or the airline about flying with and handgun. Also, how long in advance should I contact them?
Thanks!

 

[Drail]

Do this - go to the website for all of the airlines you will be flying on and read their rules for checking a firearm. Print several copies of all the rules and carry them with you when you travel. Do the same with the TSA website. You will need a hard lockable case with a padlock on it (not a TSA padlock) - only you may have a key to that lock. If the TSA wants to cut it off, they can. (their problem, not yours) You may place the locked pistol case inside a suitcase. Normally they will ask you for the key if they want to inspect the contents of the guncase and will do it while you watch and return the key to you. When you get to the ticket counter for check in tell them you want to declare a firearm, they will have you fill out a card which MUST be placed in the case with the firearm (not on the outside of the bag containing it). They may assume that you are a cop. If you're not inform them. They may inspect the gun to see if it is unloaded. Some agents will want to see if the gun is unloaded. Some agents will not want to see it. (fear of guns) Airlines have differing rules on the carriage of amunition in your luggage. Also and most important, check the laws for every jurisdiction you will be traveling through regarding possession of a firearm, even if you only plan on transferring through that city. If your flight gets snowed in and you have to spend the night with your luggage in a hotel you need to know the laws. People have been thrown in jail simply because they didn't know the local laws. Travelling with a firearm is not really difficult but a lot of the airline employees DO NOT know the rules. If they don't know the procedure ask to speak to their supervisor. Smile. Be polite.

 

[Wolfeye]

I live in WA, but have only checked in my handguns with Alaska Air. I don't contact them at all; you can if you want to talk to someone about the specifics of checking in a firearm, but all I do is check the airline's & TSA's websites beforehand.

All I have are revolvers, and all I do is run a cable lock through one cylinder, put the gun(s) in a hard case, lock it with a couple padlocks, and declare it when I check in my baggage. They'll have paperwork to give you & will usually ask to see the firearm. After that there will be an escort to TSA. No big deal.

Edit: I pack my ammo in its original box or in one of those plastic ones that keeps the cartridges from rolling around. No loose ammo is allowed, as far as I know. I'm fairly certain that cans of gunpowder aren't allowed, either, in case you're a black powder guy.

 

[MudPuppy]

Good advice on checking the specific airlines website.

I've traveled a few times to and from WA to TX, the things that have been required in my case:
*Unloaded firearm
*Approved, locked, hardsided case
*Ammunition in original packaging or containers specifically designed for the ammo (I've only done original packaging) Ammunition was in same case as firearm--NOT in checked or carryon bags!
*Signed a declaration firearm was unloaded

I've heard the training was much improved post 9/11 and the staff is much better informed and prepared for dealing with traveling firearms.

(The last guy at Alaska that put my declaration form in the case looked at the Galil, and whispered, "Ooh, scary". I gave him a grin, and said "nah, not at all, not unless you're a bad guy." Then gave my mean, stern dad face, "but if you are a bad guy, then yeah, very scary." I then gave him a wink and a grin with a "just ribbin' yah." I probably shouldn't have, but I couldn't resist.)

 

[MaterDei]

No need to call in advance.

1. Get a lockable case
2. Get locks
3. Put unloaded handgun and ammo in case. The ammo doesn't have to be in the original boxes, it just can't be loose. I always load mine into spare mags.
4. Have your handgun case ready to be checked when it's time to check your luggage.
5. Go through the checks with the ticketing agent.
6. Lock your case and put your small handgun case into one of your checked bags.
7. Take your bags to the TSA agents you're directed to take them to.
8. Enjoy your flight

Once you arrive at your destination you do nothing special. Just pick your bags off the belt and leave the airport.

Very easy.

 

[hso]

Good advice, but do put your ammunition in a box instead of magazines since not every airline treats the magazine as if it were the same as a box (personal experience). At least by using a box you avoid the debate at the counter.

 

[killchain]

I want fly to Washington State and check my handgun. I am thinking this will be in March. I am wondering if I should contact the airport or the airline about flying with and handgun. Also, how long in advance should I contact them?
Thanks!

Are you flying out of New York?

If so, you had better have that pistol registered in NY! If you don't, that's a class B felony.

In WA State though, just declare it when you check in, MAKE SURE IT'S IN YOUR CHECKED BAGGAGE, and in a locked case.

 

[MedWheeler]

Flying with guns is actually pretty easy. I just got back from a trip to ABQ (from where I live in Florida) to bury my father. He left behind two guns, both handguns, which I brought back with me. I also brought one with me for the trip, as NM recognizes both OC and Florida's CC license. The first check-in, in Florida for the trip out, had the US-Air gate attendant have me open the locked case and show her the empty chamber of my PF-9. Two loaded magazines were fully enclosed in pouches, and placed in the same hard-sided locked case as the pistol. This is acceptable per TSA requirements, and the airlines usually just go by them. The lock on the case must be accessible to you only; no "TSA locks." It can be either a keyed lock, or a combination lock. On the back trip, I was not asked to open the cases (Continental Airlines, now a US-Air affiliate.) I simply declared them; the PF-9, with its magazines, was in the same small locked cash box it went out in, and the two revolvers picked up from the estate were in a locked briefcase. Also in the briefcase was a box of ammunition for the revolvers. Once declared, the piece of luggage containing these two containers was moved to first-in-line for x-ray, and everything was fine.
I used a metal cash box with a keyed lock for the Kel-Tec on each trip. It could not hold the two additional guns I was bringing back, so I used a hard-sided briefcase I found on my dad's property for them on the back-trip (it has a combination lock.)

 

[ny32182]

Good advice; just check the airline website for their regs regarding packaging, and declare it at the counter. Easy as pie.