I'm moving and need to move firearms....

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dirtymike1

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I have no idea where I would put this thread so I'll just start here.

I just got a job that is taking me from the DC area out to Louisville KY in less than a month. I'm going ot be travling light, just the cloths that I need, since my GF is gonig ot be moving out there about 2 months after I do. My question, how to move a rifle or 2 out there with me. I'm leaving our pistol for the GF here, but I want ot go out there with atleast my Saiga.

I've heard that some airlines allow you to check a firearm as luggage, but what goes into doing this? I'd rather not have to spend the money on an FFL, but if I have to then I will.

Also, since I own the firearm, can I ship it with UPS/Fedex? Will that work?


HELP!!!!!:confused::confused:
 
You could either ship them to yourself or check them on the flight. You'd just have to abide by the respective procedures for whichever option you choose. Looking up the particular airline's rules online should be easy enough.
 
is there any paperwork that I need to check them on the flight? Any details?

What carrier can I ship them through? UPS, Fedex?
 
Check with your airline carrier's website. They will have all of the info you need, straight from the horses's mouth.

Typical requirements are:

-Declare your firearm at the counter.
-Unloaded of course
-Cased in a TSA approved hard case with a TSA approved lock
-You are the only individual with a key to the case
-Ammunition must be transported in factory boxes (not MTM style boxes)

Like I said though, check your carrier's website.
 
Ok cool, I've needed a reason to by a hard case anyway :)

That doesn't seem to hard. Now for ammo, when they say in cardboard boxes, they mean the box that you buy off teh shelf at Walmart, right?
 
Take I-66 west from the DC metro area, turn south on I-81 in Virginia, and turn west when you get to I-64. Go through WV and into Kentucky.

I've made it to Knob Creek in less than a day, which is further than Louisville. Plus you won't have to rent a car once you arrive.

You're welcome. ;)

ETA: If you have a VA concealed-carry permit then it's valid in WV and KY. Long guns should be unloaded and cased for the trip.
 
-Cased in a TSA approved hard case with a TSA approved lock
-You are the only individual with a key to the case
Click to expand...

Those two statements contradict each other.

In order to comply with Federal regulations, the lock on the gun case must NOT be a TSA approved lock.
 
My preference would be to box it up good and mail it to myself. Flying is so much hassle as it is, no sense compounding the problem, IMHO.
 
Bubbles - I would drive if I could. I'm flying light to get out there and in 2-3 months I'll be moving all the household goods. I'm leaving my GF with the car and the other creature comforts while I'm away.

Damn... I need to buy a truck when I get out there as well....
 
Flying with one or two firearms is pretty simple stuff. The TSA folks and counter people see it every single day. Not that they always get it just right, but it isn't any big deal at all. On a Stress-O-Meter scale of 1 to 10, its about a 3.
 
To reiterate, Handgun hunter, the locks must be NON TSA, as in good old padlocks, the type the cut off. Yeah it doesn't really keep them out, and there are threads here about it, but it does show that you gun has been tampered with. And a firearm in a sterile area (airport beyond security) is a big NO NO, hence locks only accessible to you, and not every tom dick and harry.

Additionally, ammunition, the only requirement is that they be in a secure container, so reloading boxes, original box, anything that keeps them from rattling around loose works, mags work as long as the ammo isn't visible, so put the mag in upside down, va la, secured on 6 sides. Go to the airline if you are flying and read their regs. Baggies of ammo don't work, box of loose rounds don't work, you get the idea.
 
Additionally, ammunition, the only requirement is that they be in a secure container, so reloading boxes, original box, anything that keeps them from rattling around loose works, mags work as long as the ammo isn't visible, so put the mag in upside down, va la, secured on 6 sides.
Click to expand...

Actually, be REAL careful here and check your state regs. Here in New Jerseystan, a loaded magazine is considered a loaded weapon
 
Get proper shipping boxes, pack the guns, put your new address on the label, and have your GF take the boxes to the Post Office after you get settled at the new place.

If you ship Priority Mail, you can be pretty darn sure when they will show up.
If there is any chance that you won't be there when the boxes arrive, you can send the boxes CERTIFIED MAIL. That way, if you aren't there to sign for the boxes, you can take the green card to the Post Office and pick up the boxes there the next day.
 
I would try to arrange for a direct flight if possible. That reduces the chance of lost luggage (gun) and so forth.

It is a nice drive and interesting country if you have not made it before. I'm not a big fan of Louisville, but they have some great gunshows there.

Why do you want to take your rifles along now?
 
-Cased in a TSA approved hard case with a TSA approved lock
Click to expand...
You never use a TSA lock. The TSA can open them.
I think what you meant is a sturdy lock, not a tie wrap or wire tie.
You must use a lock for which only YOU have a key.

TSA locks are for people who want to lock their suitcases because they fear their clothes will be stolen. My experience is that the TSA loves to break off TSA locks, damaging the suitcase. I know, it makes no sense.
 
W.E.G. said:
Get proper shipping boxes, pack the guns, put your new address on the label, and have your GF take the boxes to the Post Office after you get settled at the new place.
Click to expand...

And since the shipment is going across state lines, a felony is thus committed.
 
Have your GF ship the firearms to you when you get to yor new house in KY

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Is that a question or are you just trying to start deleted -- <Sam>
 
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Krazy, I believe NavyLT is saying that your offered course of action (having your girlfriend ship them to you) involves committing a felony. So that obviously isn't the right answer.

The rules for shipping aren't impossibly complicated, but getting too lax about what you do can get you in quite a lot of trouble with federal law.
 
Sam1911 said:
Krazy, I believe NavyLT is saying that your offered course of action (having your girlfriend ship them to you) involves committing a felony. So that obviously isn't the right answer.
Click to expand...

Correct. It is against Federal law for a person to ship guns to an unlicensed (as in non-FFL) party in another state. The only exception is shipping firearms to yourself in another state. Having a girlfriend do the shipping is NOT shipping firearms to yourself, it is another party shipping the firearms to you, which is against the law, even if they are your own firearms. There is no exception in the law for "an agent of the owner" to ship the firearms to the owner.

If a person is going to attempt to ship firearms to another non-licensed party in another state, they must notify the shipper that they are doing so IN WRITING, so that the shipper may then deny the illegal shipment.
 
My father flew out to Oklahoma from LosAngeles at the begining of June and brought me his Tokarev. All he had to do was put it in a hard sided case that is lockable. He used a standard pad lock. Checked it at bagage, they put their TSA card inside of it that is signed. and that was it. He could have brought ammo as well, lit just needs to be in a sepperate case, similar to the pistol case.

No problems at all. Also, Amtrac was recently hit with a federal mandate, law, what ever, that they have to allow riders to check firearms with regular bagage. Before they did not allow any firearms to be brought onto their tranes in any manner.
 
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