Question about flying with firearms

[sharkman]

And don't forget to have adequate insurance. Accidents happen and (rarely) so does theft. Standard airline rates may not cover the replacement cost of a valuable gun

 

[simulatedjim]

Just a thought: What if the "outer" piece of luggage gets to where you are going without the inner piece? Well your checked bag arrived and you have no claim ticket for another piece of luggage.

 

[jprimero]

...
Other things to consider:

1. Check www.handgunlaw.us and/or http://apps.carryconcealed.net/packngo/index.php to determine:
   • If you can possess the weapon at all your stops
   • Where and how you can carry at all your stops
   • What are the deadly force rules in each state you are visiting
2. Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourRights/us letter.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.

Thanks for the detailed list! These last couple points are really useful.

Besides, if you find ammo in California, you're going to have to deal with getting it back to Illinois. Or are you going to discard it before your return flight?

Yeah, the plan is to use the ammo I buy (or give it to the friend I'm staying with in CA).


I'll be flying United and this is all I could find online about their restrictions on firearms.

Firearms
Federal regulations require that firearms in checked baggage or in their own shipping cases be unloaded and declared. Firearms are not allowed in carry-on bags. Firearms in checked baggage must be packed in a locked hard-sided bag or gun case. TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms. A maximum of 11 lbs. of small arms ammunition is allowed in checked luggage in the original manufacturer's box or securely packed in a fiber, wood or metal box to prevent movement of cartridges.

Since I'm not flying with ammo and will be following their other restrictions, I think I'll be ok. That said, I'm going to give them a call them to confirm any rules regarding firearms. Anyone have a suggestion on what's the best number to try? Reservations (1-800-United-1), maybe?
http://faq.ua2go.com/display/4n/kb/optional/index.aspx?tab=opt1&opt=1&r=0.6110896

Put the lockable hard-sided case with the weapon and the ammo/magazines into a cheap, non-descript bag - with clear labeling outside and inside - for checking in.
If possible, develop a way to attach - in a lockable way - the hard-sided case to the piece of luggage it has been placed into.

I have a short cable with loops on each end. I cable the locked pistol box to the inside of my suitcase and lock with a large padlock. That way they have to stay together. The pistol box can't be removed from my suitcase until I unlock the cable.

Great point, I didn't even think of this.

 

[armsmaster270]

Why not take the ammo back with you I always take at least 1 box when I travel.

 

[jprimero]

Why not take the ammo back with you I always take at least 1 box when I travel.

Like I mentioned above, this is my first time flying with firearms, so I'd like to minimize the chances of any possible issues with the TSA or airline. That and since I'm not bringing any ammo on my flight out, I'd need to find/buy an extra case (to hold the ammo) that would fit in my luggage before my return flight.

 

[sharkman]

Thanks for the detailed list! These last couple points are really useful.




Yeah, the plan is to use the ammo I buy (or give it to the friend I'm staying with in CA).


I'll be flying United and this is all I could find online about their restrictions on firearms.

Since I'm not flying with ammo and will be following their other restrictions, I think I'll be ok. That said, I'm going to give them a call them to confirm any rules regarding firearms. Anyone have a suggestion on what's the best number to try? Reservations (1-800-United-1), maybe?
http://faq.ua2go.com/display/4n/kb/optional/index.aspx?tab=opt1&opt=1&r=0.6110896




Great point, I didn't even think of this.

Haven't checked a firearm on United in while but should be easy with the United agents. Tell 'em/show 'em that they're unloaded, paperwork goes into the case, lock it up and put it into your checked luggage. Wild card will be TSA, they seem to change procedures daily so leave enough time for a delay.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Does anyone have any good ideas for a pistol case that I can lock to the frame of my main suitcase, big enough for a full-size gun, two magazines, holster, mag pouch, and a box of ammo?

I want it to be completely unquestionable for flying... there was a death in my family and I have to fly out to Pennsylvania for the funeral. I've never planned on flying anywhere before, so I had to rush apply for a PA carry permit (Sheriff Nau is AMAZING) and figure out how to fly through security and the baggage check process without any questions.

 

[swinokur]

You need to read the TSA web page when it comes to procedures.

You cannot do what you are proposing to do. Your handgun must be in a locked case with empty magazines. It must be unloaded and some folks lock the slide back to indicate this. Ammuniton can be in your suitcase but in it's original boxes and max wt of usually 11 lbs. (check your airline web page.)

There are 2 popular locking cases I've seen.

The Center-Of-Mass Safes and the Gunvault Microvault .

In the interest of full disclosure-I have and use the Gunvault Product and I like it. I can get my G22 and G30 in it and pack my mags separately.

You must use a locking case that only YOU have the key to.

 

[armsmaster270]

Magazines can be loaded if they are in a mag pouch that snap or has velcro on the cover straps, any other ammo has to be in ammo boxes. no loose rounds.

 

[NoAlibi]

GHF:

Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourR...s letter.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.

Thank you for bringing that letter to my attention - it will be with me on every flight.

Suppose that your flight is diverted to a place that has strict handgun laws like New York City and your flight is interrupted and you are forced to take ground transportation to your destination and also suppose that you are not going to a shooting contest are you then in violation of that jurisdiction's laws?

 

[SeekHer]

NoAlibi -- Suppose that your flight is diverted to a place that has strict handgun laws like New York City and your flight is interrupted and you are forced to take ground transportation to your destination and also suppose that you are not going to a shooting contest are you then in violation of that jurisdiction's laws?

Most assuredly and it has happened many times in the past BUT how do the authorities know that you're transporting an illegal firearm unless you do something to bring it to their attention...

Unless the arriving carrier notifies them--can you spell lawsuit or there is a problem at the other aeroport...I know of a couple of cases where the hunter happened to be in a car/taxi/limo accident and the case was broken or was asked by the police to open the case not knowing that the handguns were verboten...

Most were just sent on their way, others had the guns confiscated and/or they were arrested and either never got the guns back or did after lots of legal ass kissing...

Know the laws of where you are going and alternates...You do not have to fly overseas from NYC/JFK...BOS, ATL, MIA even MSP have direct service...

 

[NoAlibi]

SeekHer

Most assuredly and it has happened many times in the past BUT how do the authorities know that you're transporting an illegal firearm unless you do something to bring it to their attention...

As you already memtioned about the car/limo/taxi accident (bowdlerized) "stuff happens"!

It's sad that you can be a criminal or law a abiding citizen based in what jurisdiction the plot of dirt you are standing on when it involves our BIll of Rights.

 

[GRIZ22]

Don't get diverted to NJ !! >MW

This is not a problem as long as you are traveling within the scope of FOPA. The faux pas commited cost the Port Authority a few dollars.

 

[Gungnir]

My experience of flying with Firearms is real simple from 2008 with Alaska from Seatac.

Two Pelican cases containing 2 shotguns, a Robinson and a 40S&W Springfield, with 40 rounds of shotgun ammo and roughly the same for the Springfield, locked with Combination locks (ammo was in the case with the gun either in the original packaging or a Mag). Informed check in about the firearms, went to the TSA place for the check in of the guns, opened confirmed weapons were not loaded and any Mags had a cap on them, closed and locked, done, and out of my possession.

Baggage claim was needed at the other end they did NOT come out with the normal baggage on the carousel.

Relatively short sweet and painless.