Most people even pronounce it that way, so I just gave up! (Not meaning to pick on you, zonzin!)
Flying with firearm - few questions
- Thread starter duns
- Start date
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I want to also add the recommendation as a previous poster did to print out the airline's information and the TSA information and take it with you to the airport. You might have the same experience I did. I was at the Colo Springs airport and went to an absolutely empty ticket counter and told the lady I had a "special item" to be checked. She had NO idea what I was talking about. I told her it was a firearm. She sort of got very nervous and went to look for a manual. Eventually she pulled out a bright orange tag and filled it out. She, referring to the manual, said it had to be inspected by TSA before it was put in baggage - I told here that that was my understanding as well. The TSA baggage inspection station happend to be less than 10 feet away. Remember, I am the SOLE passenger anywhere around. So I am carrying my unlocked bag, with an unlocked case with two piistols in it. I walk over with the ticket agent and set the bag down on the counter in front of the TSA guy for him to inspect. He picks up the bag, puts it on the X-Ray machine belt. I am assuming this is SOP. The guy READING the X-Ray machine doesn't react at all. I said to the TSA guy "I need to show you that the guns are unloaded". He says "GUNS? - you're too late - the bag is already gone!" I say to the guy reading the X-ray machine - you didn't see the 2 pistols in that bag? He very sheepishly says no. So I say - "well now I have an unlocked bag, with an unlocked case with 2 guns in it - my Kindle I was planning to read on the plane - I'm standing here with the tag in my hand that is supposed to be attached to the locked case". Well, too bad, so sad. I spent the whole flight home worried about the guns being stolen (they weren't). I sent a letter to the TSA afterwards telling of my experience, and they sent back a completely generic response saying that they are currently working to improve their service. You can tell it's a letter they send whether this happened, they groped you inappropriately, or whatever else.
EmbarkChief
Member
Duns, this was at the check in desk.
TarDevil, it was Love Field.
TarDevil, it was Love Field.
bassdogs
Member
Was nervous the first time I flew with a firearm in my checked baggage. The 2nd time not so much, and from then on it became routine. Just follow the procedures and you may find that it is a smoother process than checking a regular bag. Once you declare that your bag contains an unloaded firearm, the counter clerk seems to automatically go into a different mode. Hands you the declareation form to sign and tell you to hang in the area for about 15 minutes and you're good to go. Have never had a problem. On one occasion the TSA agent actually opened my bag [in my presence] but never even picked out the gun case. They found a bic camp lighter that must have shown up on the xray and waved it in my direction with a look "what are you trying to pull here?". Lost my lighter but the gun case w/ammo got no more attention than my toothbrush.
bassdogs
Member
Forgot to mention: Go directly to the ticket counter and check your bag. Don't stop by the coffee shop or hang in the outer terminal with a firearm in you possession. You're probably not breaking any laws, but just opening yourself to unnessary risk of a problem. Some airports are employing moble scanners or some over anxious security person might randomly pick you out for no apparent reason. Just get the bag checked as soon as you arrive in the terminal and then go on with your business.
EmbarkChief
Member
Duns, when Houston asked me to show clear the slide was already locked to the rear in the case! I think it was more procedural than anything else.
Singletracker
Member
Just got back from flying between Vegas and Denver and back.
Denver, declare your firearm, fill out info card to stick in locked case. TSA agent comes over, takes bag and you do the "walk of shame" (actually not bad you just go to a special X-ray machine) guys run the bag through. Mags were separate in kydex belt holster. Pistols were in locked case, w/gun locks on. ammo was in same bag.
once through this x-ray it was off to the gate not problem.
In Vegas, they had me fill the same card but just put it in the suitcase (not the gun case like denver) told us to stand over there by the American Flag (down by the end of the counter) and if there is a problem, TSA will meet me there. If not there in 10 minutes...go to my gate.
I worried about it too but Really could not be easier.
Denver, declare your firearm, fill out info card to stick in locked case. TSA agent comes over, takes bag and you do the "walk of shame" (actually not bad you just go to a special X-ray machine) guys run the bag through. Mags were separate in kydex belt holster. Pistols were in locked case, w/gun locks on. ammo was in same bag.
once through this x-ray it was off to the gate not problem.
In Vegas, they had me fill the same card but just put it in the suitcase (not the gun case like denver) told us to stand over there by the American Flag (down by the end of the counter) and if there is a problem, TSA will meet me there. If not there in 10 minutes...go to my gate.
I worried about it too but Really could not be easier.
Feedback from OP
Well thanks everyone for the advice. I just completed my trip and all went smoothly.
Based on the advice, I ran a zip tie through the action. I could not have the pistol locked open because of the way I had shaped the foam in the little Pelican 1170 case. But the zip tie looped through the barrel and the ejector port suggested the chamber was empty. I also left the magazine well empty. I placed two empty magazines in the case in a slot in the foam. You may remember I was unsure what to do about my third magazine since there was no room for it in the gun case and TSA regulations state that magazines must be securely boxed if not in the same case as the gun. Since TSA would not tell me what securely boxed meant, I placed the third magazine in a hard-sided spectacle case. I carried the ammo in the original packaging. I locked the pelican case with two padlocks and attached a luggage tag with my name and cell phone number.
I flew with Delta from Houston to Daytona Beach via Atlanta and back. The procedure was the same at both ends.
The check-in agent asked to see the firearm. I removed the pelican case from my suitcase, removed the padlocks, and opened it. I pointed out the zip tie and the empty mag well. The agent got me to sign a red label declaring the firearm to be unloaded and the agent then countersigned. The agent taped the red label to the gun case and asked me to lock the case back up and put it back in my suitcase. Finally, I was asked to wait 5 minutes in the check-in desk area in case TSA wanted to speak to me.
At the Houston end, an inexperienced agent (who was looking on) asked my agent if TSA would inspect the gun. My agent replied "No, they can see from the red card that I have already checked it, so they will not check it again."
By the way, my suitcase came off the conveyor with all the regular luggage; it did not go to a special collection area.
I did notice my bag receipt contained a code that was not present on my companion's bag receipts, so maybe my bag was subtly marked to indicate it contained a firearm?
One final remark, online check in was not possible. I tried it and Delta's website asked if I was checking any "special" items. I said yes, whereupon I got a message stating that I could not check in online.
It could hardly have been easier. But I was glad about the zip tie through the action since I would have felt uncomfortable handling and racking the pistol in front of other passengers to demonstrate that it was clear.
Well thanks everyone for the advice. I just completed my trip and all went smoothly.
Based on the advice, I ran a zip tie through the action. I could not have the pistol locked open because of the way I had shaped the foam in the little Pelican 1170 case. But the zip tie looped through the barrel and the ejector port suggested the chamber was empty. I also left the magazine well empty. I placed two empty magazines in the case in a slot in the foam. You may remember I was unsure what to do about my third magazine since there was no room for it in the gun case and TSA regulations state that magazines must be securely boxed if not in the same case as the gun. Since TSA would not tell me what securely boxed meant, I placed the third magazine in a hard-sided spectacle case. I carried the ammo in the original packaging. I locked the pelican case with two padlocks and attached a luggage tag with my name and cell phone number.
I flew with Delta from Houston to Daytona Beach via Atlanta and back. The procedure was the same at both ends.
The check-in agent asked to see the firearm. I removed the pelican case from my suitcase, removed the padlocks, and opened it. I pointed out the zip tie and the empty mag well. The agent got me to sign a red label declaring the firearm to be unloaded and the agent then countersigned. The agent taped the red label to the gun case and asked me to lock the case back up and put it back in my suitcase. Finally, I was asked to wait 5 minutes in the check-in desk area in case TSA wanted to speak to me.
At the Houston end, an inexperienced agent (who was looking on) asked my agent if TSA would inspect the gun. My agent replied "No, they can see from the red card that I have already checked it, so they will not check it again."
By the way, my suitcase came off the conveyor with all the regular luggage; it did not go to a special collection area.
I did notice my bag receipt contained a code that was not present on my companion's bag receipts, so maybe my bag was subtly marked to indicate it contained a firearm?
One final remark, online check in was not possible. I tried it and Delta's website asked if I was checking any "special" items. I said yes, whereupon I got a message stating that I could not check in online.
It could hardly have been easier. But I was glad about the zip tie through the action since I would have felt uncomfortable handling and racking the pistol in front of other passengers to demonstrate that it was clear.
Glad your trip went well!
Oddly, handguns aren't included in "Special Items." If you look at Delta's page on Special Items you'll see it pertains to odd shaped/sized items, fragile items, medical stuff, musical insruments, etc. that must be declared as a separate piece of baggage.
I check in online every time I fly with my handgun.
Last edited:
I read it as including handguns. If you go down the Special Items page to Sports Equipment, you will see there is a Shooting Equipment category that mentions putting the locked gun case in a soft-sided piece of luggage. But I agree that it is ambiguous and more likely than not intended to cover firearms declared as a separate piece of baggage.
obiwan1
Member
Below is the appropriate law. It is also worth printing, carrying and hiliting the significant parts.
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 8]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR1540.111]
[Page 295]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
PART 1540--CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY: GENERAL RULES--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Responsibilities of Passengers and Other Individuals and
Persons
Sec. 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 Sec.
1544.201 or Sec. 1546.201 of this chapter;
(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 Sec. 1544.201 or Sec.
1546.201 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
Sec.Sec. 1544.219, 1544.221, 1544.223, or 1546.211 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:
(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.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(d) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of
ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm.
Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing
carriage of ammunition on aircraft.
[67 FR 8353, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 41639, June
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 8]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR1540.111]
[Page 295]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
PART 1540--CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY: GENERAL RULES--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Responsibilities of Passengers and Other Individuals and
Persons
Sec. 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 Sec.
1544.201 or Sec. 1546.201 of this chapter;
(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 Sec. 1544.201 or Sec.
1546.201 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
Sec.Sec. 1544.219, 1544.221, 1544.223, or 1546.211 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:
(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.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(d) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of
ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm.
Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing
carriage of ammunition on aircraft.
[67 FR 8353, Feb. 22, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 41639, June
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