Flying with a handgun

[Balrog]

I am looking for input from people who have flown on Delta with a checked handgun. I have reviewed the Delta website, and want to make sure I understand the process.

I place the unloaded gun in a locked hardside gun case.
I keep the key.
I declare the gun at the counter and fill out a declaration form stating the gun is unloaded.

Will they have me open the case at the ticket counter to inspect it?

Can I place the hard side gun case inside my regular piece of luggage or does it have to be separate?

Both my origin and destination are in gun friendly states (Florida for origin, and either Utah or Idaho for destination).

 

[Col. Harrumph]

I haven't flown Delta in years but I imagine they're no different from American... I also don't remember filling in any special form.

Place your unloaded pistol in a locked hard case, and place that in your checked suitcase. Have the key handy. Declare it to the ticket agent, who will ask you to open the suitcase and the hard case. (S)he will place a piece of paper in with the gun, stating that it has been declared. Lock the hard case and shut the suitcase; the agent will take it from there.

When you arrive at your destination, your suitcase will not show up on the baggage carousel. Go to the airline's lost baggage claim and tell them you have a firearm in your suitcase; they should already have it as it will have been barcoded when taken off the plane. You saved the claim ticket, didn't you?

 

[GRIZ22]

I have flown many airlines domestically with a handgun in my checked baggage. Only once, that was at O'Hara in Chicago, they asked to see the gun was unloaded. You go to the desk agent, they give you a card to put in the locked case with your gun. They ask you to wait so TSA can check the case. I've never had TSA do anything but xray the case. Ammo can be in the same case. Not in magazines or ammo pouches. Use a factory box.

On arrival you have to pick up your bag as stated above.

I use a locked case inside of a locked Haliburton. Only issue I ever had was when my suitcase went to Charlotte instead of Philadelphia. I had to go back to the airport to pick it up as they wouldn't deliver it with the gun inside.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I am looking for input from people who have flown on Delta with a checked handgun. I have reviewed the Delta website, and want to make sure I understand the process.

I place the unloaded gun in a locked hardside gun case.
I keep the key.
I declare the gun at the counter and fill out a declaration form stating the gun is unloaded.

Will they have me open the case at the ticket counter to inspect it?

Can I place the hard side gun case inside my regular piece of luggage or does it have to be separate?
.

The process is correct above with 1 exception. Delta will not inspect it to see if it’s unloaded. That’s your responsibility and if it isn’t TSA will find it and you’ll answer to it.

I fly Delta 98% of the time and never had an issue. One suggestion, if your locked case has 2 slides that can be locked, make sure both slides have a lock. I only had 1 lock on a cheap plastic gun case I picked up at Walmart and American threw a fit over it. Lucky I had an older lock that I got to fit (not a TSA cable lock) after a bit of stretching and plastic manipulating. Somehow we misplaced cable lock #2 during the visit.

 

[Atavar]

Remember that if something happens and you are rerouted to a non friendly state where you do not have a permit do NOT pick up your suitcase.

 

[Barbaroja]

Remember that if something happens and you are rerouted to a non friendly state where you do not have a permit do NOT pick up your suitcase.

This seems like bad advice

 

[Balrog]

Does ammo in a factory box have to be in the locked case also, or can it be in suitcase?

 

[Charlie98]

Does ammo in a factory box have to be in the locked case also, or can it be in suitcase?

The ammo has to be with the firearm, in the locked case. There is also a limit to the amount of rounds you can carry... I was asked that last trip by the Southwest agent. I normally carry 2 loaded mags and a 25 box of ammo. I don't recall the limit.

 

[Speedo66]

You can take ammo, without a gun, in your checked baggage.

There is a weight limit.

 

[Charlie98]

One other tip I would suggest... making sure you leave as little space to pry on the case as possible. There was about 1/2" of slop in the padlocks I use, so I put a nut on the lock after it's through the grommet...





...that way the locks almost mash the lid shut on the corners. Yes, they can still cut the locks... but at that point, it doesn't matter.

 

[tarosean]

The ammo has to be with the firearm, in the locked case. There is also a limit to the amount of rounds you can carry... I was asked that last trip by the Southwest agent. I normally carry 2 loaded mags and a 25 box of ammo. I don't recall the limit.

The problem with ammo is the weight. esp with what airlines are charging for baggage now-a-days. If you know your going to do a lot of shooting buy your ammo at the destination.

 

[Alaskamike]

I would think it would be appropriate to look up the TSA instructions, as well as the policy of the airline you're flying on.

I know, that just sounds goofy.

 

[tarosean]

One other tip I would suggest... making sure you leave as little space to pry on the case as possible. There was about 1/2" of slop in the padlocks I use, so I put a nut on the lock after it's through the grommet...
.

Most of us probably have dozens of the cable gun locks that come with new guns.. I use those to secure the locked box to my suitcase rails.
It will at least slow them down, instead of a couple seconds to remove the case.by itself.

 

[Charlie98]

I am looking for input from people who have flown on Delta with a checked handgun. I have reviewed the Delta website, and want to make sure I understand the process.

I would think it would be appropriate to look up the TSA instructions, as well as the policy of the airline you're flying on.

I know, that just sounds goofy.

Sounds like the OP already did... and he is asking for direct input. With firearms, and the TSA, there aren't very many second chances... so I understand the OP's desire for real-life experiences.

 

[tarosean]

I've never had TSA do anything but xray the case.

Ive had them open it and swab the gun for residue at IAH.

 

[Charlie98]

It will at least slow them down, instead of a couple seconds to remove the case.by itself.

It's my understanding that once you've checked the handgun, you can put the case inside of another checked bag... so a handler would have to seriously go hunting to find it.

 

[Charlie98]

Ive had them open it and swab the gun for residue at IAH.

*scratches head* Say what?

 

[tarosean]

It's my understanding that once you've checked the handgun, you can put the case inside of another checked bag

It starts out in the checked bag and you inform them that you have a firearm. All airports have slightly differnt protocals. I've had the ticket agent just look at it. I've had supervisors(?) come and inspect it. My bag and I have been escorted to another area for inspection then back again. None of it has been a big deal just plan for the extra time that it may cause.

 

[tarosean]

*scratches head* Say what?

Explosive residue. The same way they test laptops, etc.

 

[Charlie98]

All airports have slightly differnt protocals.

Indeed. I haven't flown a whole bunch with a firearm, but every time I have, it's a slightly different process.

 

[MEHavey]

Remember that if something happens and you are rerouted to a non friendly state where you do not have a permit do NOT pick up your suitcase.

This seems like bad advice

DON'T do it.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/traveling-mans-gun-arrest-appealed-to-supreme-court
https://www.uslawshield.com/flight-diverted-security-alerted/
https://www.floridaconcealedcarry.com/threads/airplane-diverted-to-nyc.132381/

 

[Barbaroja]

Seems obvious to me in the situation to have the airline hold your bag.

 

[GRIZ22]

It's my understanding that once you've checked the handgun, you can put the case inside of another checked bag... so a handler would have to seriously go hunting to find it.

I carry the locked hardwired case cabled to the hinge of a locked Haliburton suitcase.

 

[obiwan1]

Besides a copy of the TSA rules, print out a copy of the LAW! Sometimes "they" have to be forced to comply. Happened to me at RDU.


Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

e-CFR data is current as of April 27, 2018



Title 49 → Subtitle B → Chapter XII → Subchapter C → Part 1540 → Subpart B → §1540.111



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Title 49: Transportation

PART 1540—CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY: GENERAL RULES

Subpart B—Responsibilities of Passengers and Other Individuals and Persons



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

(a) On an individual's person or accessible property—prohibitions. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an individual may not have a weapon, explosive, or incendiary, on or about the individual's person or accessible property—



(1) When performance has begun of the inspection of the individual's person or accessible property before entering a sterile area, or before boarding an aircraft for which screening is conducted under this subchapter;



(2) When the individual is entering or in a sterile area; or



(3) When the individual is attempting to board or onboard an aircraft for which screening is conducted under §§1544.201, 1546.201, or 1562.23 of this chapter.



(b) On an individual's person or accessible property—permitted carriage of a weapon. Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply as to carriage of firearms and other weapons if the individual is one of the following:



(1) Law enforcement personnel required to carry a firearm or other weapons while in the performance of law enforcement duty at the airport.



(2) An individual authorized to carry a weapon in accordance with §§1544.219, 1544.221, 1544.223, 1546.211, or subpart B of part 1562 of this chapter.



(3) An individual authorized to carry a weapon in a sterile area under a security program.



(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.

 

[alfsauve]

As others have said airport procedures vary even with the same airline.

Flew Delta from ATL to Portland, ME and back a year ago.

In ATL the check in agent made me show him that the firearm was unloaded, then after putting on the bag tag, I had to take it to the TSA room, about 100’ away, where they xray’d it and put in into the conveyor system.

In Portland, also I had to show the agent the gun, then she texted the TSA agent and told me to hang out by the desk until the agent arrived. I asked how long it might take and she said they have a 10 minute rule. If the agent doesn’t show in 10 minutes then it just goes on the conveyor belt anyway. The agent never showed.

So be prepared to be a little flexible, but yes locked case inside your checked luggage.