Flying With Firearms Question

[sonyhoppes]

TSA is supposed to contact you and YOU are the only one that's to open the luggage/case. The weird thing is I don't understand how this jives with the TSA compatible locks where they can open them with a master key or something. But, yes, any and all "problems" with a firearm will mostly likely be addressed immediately when the firearm is checked. In all my recent experiences, I was told to wait a few minutes while the bag was inspected/x-rayed and then told I was fine to proceed to the gate. No problems at all, even in the ultra-liberal North East (CT).

 

[sonyhoppes]

double tap

 

[REB]

I fly with my SP101 all the time on Delta, American, Continental and Northwest.

I carry it in a hard gun case with the ammunition in the box inside of the same case. The case needs to be locked with a lock that only you have the key or combination, TSA locks are not allowed. I put the gun case in the outside pocket of my suitcase and have never locked the suitcase separately.

When you check in at the counter tell them you need to declare an unloaded firearm in your checked bag and they will give you a little red tag to sign declaring that it's unloaded. Have the key handy because you will need to open the case and show them the firearm. Very rarely they will ask you to show them it's unloaded but I have never had the airline attendant or TSA touch the firearm.

A couple of times I have had the airline attendant ask if the ammunition was in a separate case. I simply state no, it's locked in the same case per regulations and that was the end of the conversation.

Depending on how the airport is laid out TSA will either come and inspect the firearm at the ticket counter and then inspect the suitcase later behind the scenes or if the inspection equipment is out in the open they will just run the suitcase through the inspection proses while you wait. It only takes a couple of minuets.

The biggest confusion in the process is where to put the little red declaration form. Sometimes they want it in the gun case itself and sometimes they want it outside of the gun case but in the suitcase. Either way it's against the law to put anything on the outside of the suitcase indicating it contains a firearm. I always ask where do you want me to put this?

 

[REB]

One more thing regarding this statement.

"What keeps a baggage handler from just stealing the locked case with your handgun inside from unlocked or soft-side baggage??? "

I personally know a person who had his locked firearm case broken into while it was inside of his suitcase. The firearm was not removed. It's one thing for the baggage handlers to steal a nice piece of electronics but steal a firearm and all hell is going to break loose.