I am wanting to bring a handgun on a trip I am taking to a different state. I will be flying and while I know it's a big time "no-no" to carry on a plane can I pack the gun in checked baggage if it is dismantled? I thought about FedExing the gun to my parents home but I think that isn't legal either.
Hope this isn't a stupid question - traveling with a gun
- Thread starter Kevwyo
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Conan1
Member
It doesn't have to be dismantled. Put in the manufacturers lockable case, unloaded with magazines out of the weapon. Tell the TSA at check in that you have a weapon. They will have you fill out paperwork, insure it is unloaded and put a tag in the case. You will then lock it and maintain the key yourself. Hasn't been a problem for me. I flew from Nashville to Denver but when I flew back, they took me and family to a separate room where they Xrayed it and had me unlock it but still no problem. Just a little extra time. I had my magazines loaded in the case but not in the weapon. Make sure you have a lockable case and just follow their instructions.
Also check the gun laws of the State you're visiting. Getting the gun there might be the easy half the problem.
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/
nalioth
Member
More people think up "laws" that prevent them from enjoying life, than there are actual laws. See what we get for thinking?Kevwyo said:
You are legal (under Federal law) to ship your handgun to yourself c/o your parents (or anyone else, for that matter).
Links to the laws, and shipper's policies: Shipping a gun - who, how, where, when and why
NavyLCDR
member
1. Any hardsided, lockable pistol case will do, it doesn't neccesarily have to be the manufactures. My travel case cost me $6.00.
2. You actually declare the firearm at the check-in counter for the airline, not with TSA. Then the airline counter person will arrange for TSA to screen your bag containing the gun. It might be a bad idea to walk straight up to a TSA person and declare that you have a gun.
3. Some airlines won't take rounds loaded in magazines, unless the tops of the magazines are covered. Best bet is to use factory ammo boxes. The ammo can be in the same case as the gun.
I put my Taurus PT-145 with the slide locked back (on the slide stop, no cable lock or anything) in the case, empty magaze next to the gun and 20 round box of my self defense ammo in the factory box in the case and had no problems at all.
And I am sure glad I did, I stayed at a very questionable motel for a few nights.
2. You actually declare the firearm at the check-in counter for the airline, not with TSA. Then the airline counter person will arrange for TSA to screen your bag containing the gun. It might be a bad idea to walk straight up to a TSA person and declare that you have a gun.
3. Some airlines won't take rounds loaded in magazines, unless the tops of the magazines are covered. Best bet is to use factory ammo boxes. The ammo can be in the same case as the gun.
I put my Taurus PT-145 with the slide locked back (on the slide stop, no cable lock or anything) in the case, empty magaze next to the gun and 20 round box of my self defense ammo in the factory box in the case and had no problems at all.
And I am sure glad I did, I stayed at a very questionable motel for a few nights.
alienbogey
Member
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A good idea is to go to your airline's website, find their policy on transporting firearms/ammunition in checked bags, then follow it and print it and take it with you. That way if you run into an employee at check in who doesn't know their own rules you can politely show them their own policy and how you're complying with it.
I've travelled with long guns and handguns for years for hunting with no problems.
I've travelled with long guns and handguns for years for hunting with no problems.
The TSA are the ones that dictate how / where guns are transported. You can call ahead or check the website.
My understanding is that it must be in a hard case, unloaded, with a lock on it (the case needs be locked). Most airlines have the ticket lines at the front, where you get your boarding pass. Tell them that you need to check your firearm. Say it like that please. Don't say "I have a gun..." as the attendant will faint before you finish.
My understanding is that it must be in a hard case, unloaded, with a lock on it (the case needs be locked). Most airlines have the ticket lines at the front, where you get your boarding pass. Tell them that you need to check your firearm. Say it like that please. Don't say "I have a gun..." as the attendant will faint before you finish.
Check the website of the airlines you will be flying for their take on what needs to be done to make THEM happy.
I am away from "home" for extended periods of time and often fly home just to bring back guns.
In addition, I would suggest having someone take you to the airport and hang around close by in case you are unable to get the gun accepted.
That way, you can still make your flight and if the gun IS accepted a simple cell call can send them on their way.
Put nothing else in the case with the gun, arrive way early and go directly to the ticket counter.
With my understanding of today's laws, even if you shipped FFL to FFL, you cannot take pocession from an FFL anywhere you are not a resident.
I am away from "home" for extended periods of time and often fly home just to bring back guns.
In addition, I would suggest having someone take you to the airport and hang around close by in case you are unable to get the gun accepted.
That way, you can still make your flight and if the gun IS accepted a simple cell call can send them on their way.
Put nothing else in the case with the gun, arrive way early and go directly to the ticket counter.
With my understanding of today's laws, even if you shipped FFL to FFL, you cannot take pocession from an FFL anywhere you are not a resident.
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I travel with guns in checked luggage often. Here is how it goes when I do it. Check the airline rules on what they allow for guns and ammo. Most airlines only allow 11 pounds ammo domestic and international. Alaska allows 50 pounds domestic. Alliante only allows certain amounts of various types of ammo, sometimes much less than 11 pounds. United has no restrictions on what kind or how many guns you can fly with. NW restricts the number of rifles, handguns, machine guns and silencers you can have in the case.
Arrive at ticket counter, gun case unlocked and inform ticket agent that I have unloaded firearms in the gun case (or a gun case in the luggage). Fill out the orange "unloaded firearms" tag and put inside of the gun case, or the suitcase, then lock it. No ticket agent has ever touched a gun case or any luggage that has one of my guns in it, not even to weight it since the TSA took over. Declare any ammo you have in other suitcases. The ticket agent will most likely not examine it, but will ask if it is properly packaged (in ammo box or original container), just say yes. You do not have to explain.
The ticket agent will then call for someone to escort you to the TSA area or direct you to it. If you are lucky, TSA will examine the gun case (swabs and x-rays) while you watch. At some airports they do it in a secure area where you can not go. If it is the latter then it is best that you wait for 5-10 minutes to give them a chance to x-ray it and determine whether or not they want to open the case. They are required to make a reasonable attempt to locate you before picking or breaking off the locks to get into the case. Bring extra locks with you just in case you need them. They may ask you for registration forms if you are carrying silencers or machineguns. You are not required to show them, but the case might not make it on your plane before they decide to let them go if you do not show the forms.
When you get to your destination, you might find your gun case with the other luggage, or in the over-sized luggage area, or at the airline office at baggage claim where they might ask for ID before giving it to you. I usually discretely open the case and make sure no one replaced my guns with weights. I have done this while airport security was walking by and they had no objections. Best you do not take the guns out of the case while in the airport though. I use a small dolly when flying with my large rifle case with 60 plus pounds of guns.
I normally find a TSA notice of a luggage inspection whenever I travel domestic, sometimes when I travel international. I find my ammo containers are usually opened then resealed with TSA tape when I arrive at my destination. Keep small parts attached to the guns so TSA does not loose them when inspecting.
Ranb
Arrive at ticket counter, gun case unlocked and inform ticket agent that I have unloaded firearms in the gun case (or a gun case in the luggage). Fill out the orange "unloaded firearms" tag and put inside of the gun case, or the suitcase, then lock it. No ticket agent has ever touched a gun case or any luggage that has one of my guns in it, not even to weight it since the TSA took over. Declare any ammo you have in other suitcases. The ticket agent will most likely not examine it, but will ask if it is properly packaged (in ammo box or original container), just say yes. You do not have to explain.
The ticket agent will then call for someone to escort you to the TSA area or direct you to it. If you are lucky, TSA will examine the gun case (swabs and x-rays) while you watch. At some airports they do it in a secure area where you can not go. If it is the latter then it is best that you wait for 5-10 minutes to give them a chance to x-ray it and determine whether or not they want to open the case. They are required to make a reasonable attempt to locate you before picking or breaking off the locks to get into the case. Bring extra locks with you just in case you need them. They may ask you for registration forms if you are carrying silencers or machineguns. You are not required to show them, but the case might not make it on your plane before they decide to let them go if you do not show the forms.
When you get to your destination, you might find your gun case with the other luggage, or in the over-sized luggage area, or at the airline office at baggage claim where they might ask for ID before giving it to you. I usually discretely open the case and make sure no one replaced my guns with weights. I have done this while airport security was walking by and they had no objections. Best you do not take the guns out of the case while in the airport though. I use a small dolly when flying with my large rifle case with 60 plus pounds of guns.
I normally find a TSA notice of a luggage inspection whenever I travel domestic, sometimes when I travel international. I find my ammo containers are usually opened then resealed with TSA tape when I arrive at my destination. Keep small parts attached to the guns so TSA does not loose them when inspecting.
Ranb
Sir Aardvark
Member
I was told that if you ship by UPS and you insure it for over $1,000.00, that they will lock it up in the "secure storage" room when it is not in actual transit.
This keeps employee theft down by locking up the more valuable stuff, so that not every Tom, Dick, and Harry can get their sticky fingers on it.
This was quite a few years ago, so ask the clerk or manager what the criteria are now for "secure storage"; if it is not too much more money, then you might want to cough up the extra cash for some added peace of mind.
I have had stuff "lost" by UPS before and never recovered - it tends to be rather frustrating.
This keeps employee theft down by locking up the more valuable stuff, so that not every Tom, Dick, and Harry can get their sticky fingers on it.
This was quite a few years ago, so ask the clerk or manager what the criteria are now for "secure storage"; if it is not too much more money, then you might want to cough up the extra cash for some added peace of mind.
I have had stuff "lost" by UPS before and never recovered - it tends to be rather frustrating.
Just did it with no hassle from Illinois to Arizona. Here is a link to the info I utilized in addition to TSA and policy for the airline I used.
Macs Guide To Flying With Firearms
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384
I used a Pelican case, my own padlocks and a TSA lock on the suitcase. I also heeded advice to secure the case to the suitcase using a 3/8 cable lock. The firearm was unloaded and broken down (it was not necessary per TSA or airline policy, but as stated in the above link it made the process a whole lot easier).
I put my ammo inside the Pelican case, but kept it in the factory box.
Maybe I got lucky, or else it really is that easy, but I had absolutely no trouble what-so-ever. Your experience may vary, but I hope it doesn't.
Macs Guide To Flying With Firearms
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384
I used a Pelican case, my own padlocks and a TSA lock on the suitcase. I also heeded advice to secure the case to the suitcase using a 3/8 cable lock. The firearm was unloaded and broken down (it was not necessary per TSA or airline policy, but as stated in the above link it made the process a whole lot easier).
I put my ammo inside the Pelican case, but kept it in the factory box.
Maybe I got lucky, or else it really is that easy, but I had absolutely no trouble what-so-ever. Your experience may vary, but I hope it doesn't.
Nalioth: everything I've read says (I think) no shipping of a gun to another person unless they are a FFL holder.
I think I will take my chances and deal with Southwest Airlines and the TSA and hope all goes OK. Based on some responses in this thread and some of the other gun boards I frequent it sounds like it shouldn't be a big deal.
I think I will take my chances and deal with Southwest Airlines and the TSA and hope all goes OK. Based on some responses in this thread and some of the other gun boards I frequent it sounds like it shouldn't be a big deal.
No problem IF you are allowed to possess and carry the gun in the destination state, and you follow the rules for transporting it on the airplane.
But if you are flying into a state/city that requires registration and the gun isn't registered in that state/city, or if handguns are banned at the destination, or you need a permit to carry the gun even in luggage, you could be in trouble. Airlines have been known to call ahead about passengers who have checked guns and they have been met by police. I don't know if this is a policy of all airlines or only some, but I would be careful.
Another point is what you are going to do with the gun when you get to your destination. If you plan to carry it, and that would be illegal, you might be better to just leave it at home.
Jim
But if you are flying into a state/city that requires registration and the gun isn't registered in that state/city, or if handguns are banned at the destination, or you need a permit to carry the gun even in luggage, you could be in trouble. Airlines have been known to call ahead about passengers who have checked guns and they have been met by police. I don't know if this is a policy of all airlines or only some, but I would be careful.
Another point is what you are going to do with the gun when you get to your destination. If you plan to carry it, and that would be illegal, you might be better to just leave it at home.
Jim
Deanimator
Member
Google "FOPA.
If your trip will fall within the terms of FOPA (reasonably direct route between an origin where it's legal to have the firearm and a destination where it's legal to have it, etc.), then go to the airline's website or call them and ask what their procedures are for traveling with a firearm in checked baggage. Follow their instructions to the letter. Print them out and carry them with you to the airport.
Do those things and you should have few if any problems. If you do have problems, you can rapidly make them somebody else's potentially expensive problem in civil court.
If your trip will fall within the terms of FOPA (reasonably direct route between an origin where it's legal to have the firearm and a destination where it's legal to have it, etc.), then go to the airline's website or call them and ask what their procedures are for traveling with a firearm in checked baggage. Follow their instructions to the letter. Print them out and carry them with you to the airport.
Do those things and you should have few if any problems. If you do have problems, you can rapidly make them somebody else's potentially expensive problem in civil court.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Be aware that USA 3000 is one of the few (actually...the only I've heard of) airline that entirely prohibits traveling with firearms.
http://www.usa3000.com/restrictedarticles.htm:
And yes, they mean in checked baggage.
http://www.usa3000.com/restrictedarticles.htm:
And yes, they mean in checked baggage.
The bagage handlers do that for them.nalioth
Member
Nalioth: My bad. I misread that quote you posted from the ATF when I read it earlier. I've been reading tons of airline/TSA stuff, ATF stuff, and gun board posts such as these and I got my mind reading far faster than my brain was comprehending.
So now I have to decide if I want the expense of shipping the gun to myself c/o my folks or if I want to deal with this at the airport.
My destination is Wyoming which is an open carry state and I will have to carry it that way there as Wyoming doesn't recognize the Oregon CC license. It's no issue for me to open carry there as I will be doing so only while hiking in the back country with my Mom. Now I just have to makes sure Colorado and Denver do not have gun registration and that it is legal for me to have the gun there even if still locked in a box in a suitcase.
Thanks again for the link and replies.
So now I have to decide if I want the expense of shipping the gun to myself c/o my folks or if I want to deal with this at the airport.
My destination is Wyoming which is an open carry state and I will have to carry it that way there as Wyoming doesn't recognize the Oregon CC license. It's no issue for me to open carry there as I will be doing so only while hiking in the back country with my Mom. Now I just have to makes sure Colorado and Denver do not have gun registration and that it is legal for me to have the gun there even if still locked in a box in a suitcase.
Thanks again for the link and replies.
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