Jeff OTMG
Member
As some of you know, I fly quite a bit and always transport handguns in my checked baggage. There is some more recent info for those of you who fly and wish to carry the current info around with you to challenge your local TSA people and other airport authorities.
Oklahoma City has recently added the CAT SCAN machines in the bowels of the new part of the airport. Problem is that TSA did not bother to educate the airline personnel on the correct procedures, leaving it to me. I contacted the TSA guy in charge of screening at OKC and explained the problem to him. Two weeks later, everybody knew what they were doing.
Indianapolis has gone backwards. I thought that I had them straightened out after the mess I experienced in August 2003 and that things were fine since then. I was leaving there last weekend after a 6 month absence. The bags still disappear and you wait for clearance, but once again they are asking the passenger to surrender the key and combination to the luggage. If you do you are in violation of federal law. After being shown the following information, and actually reading it I might add, the TSA representatives agreed to do it my way.
From the TSA website:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1666.xml
Transporting Special Items
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms - There are specific regulatory requirements to transport a firearm:
* The firearm must be checked with the air carrier as luggage. Firearms are prohibited from carry-on baggage.
* The firearm must be declared orally or in writing in accordance with the air carrier's procedures (contact your air carrier for their specific procedures).
* The firearm must be unloaded.
* The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
* The container must be locked.
* The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared.
If the passenger is not present during screening, and the container must be opened, the air carrier is required to locate the passenger so that the passenger will be present during screening.
Ammunition - Ammunition is likewise prohibited from carry-on luggage. Ammunition may not be carried loose. It must travel in the manufacturer's packaging or other packaging suitable for transport. Consult your air carrier to determine quantity limitations or whether the ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm.
This same information is available at the TSA site under the FAQ's.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198004ad07
Q: Can I transport guns or firearms?
A: Guns and Firearms are NOT permitted in your carry-on baggage, but depending on the policy of your airline, they may be included with your checked baggage. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in. Only you, the passenger, may have the key or combination.
Q: What about ammunition?
A: Ammunition is NOT permitted in your carry-on baggage, but depending on the policy of your airline, may be included with your checked baggage. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.
TSA also acknowledges that there regs are codified in Title 49 of the CFR:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=79
The TSA issues and administers Transportation Security Regulations (TSRs), which are codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter XII, parts 1500 through 1699. Many TSRs are former rules of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that were transferred to TSA when TSA assumed FAAâ??s civil aviation security function on February 17, 2002.
You will need two parts of the CFR. One applies to you, the traveler, the other to the TSA agent.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...ess.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/octqtr/49cfr1540.111.htm
[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.
.
.
(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.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...ess.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/octqtr/49cfr1544.203.htm
[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: 49CFR1544.203]
[Page 320-321]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
PART 1544--AIRCRAFT OPERATOR SECURITY: AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS
--Table of Contents
Subpart C--Operations
Sec. 1544.203 Acceptance and screening of checked baggage.
.
.
(f) Firearms in checked baggage. No aircraft operator may knowingly
permit any person to 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 any firearm carried in
the baggage is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;
(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the
individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and
[[Page 321]]
(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an
area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the
flightcrew compartment,.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(g) 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.
I highly recommend that you print out the TSA site pages with their logo as well as the CFR and carry it with you while you travel. THERE ARE MANY TSA AND AIRLINE PERSONNEL WHO STILL DO NOT KNOW THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THEIR OWN JOBS.
Oklahoma City has recently added the CAT SCAN machines in the bowels of the new part of the airport. Problem is that TSA did not bother to educate the airline personnel on the correct procedures, leaving it to me. I contacted the TSA guy in charge of screening at OKC and explained the problem to him. Two weeks later, everybody knew what they were doing.
Indianapolis has gone backwards. I thought that I had them straightened out after the mess I experienced in August 2003 and that things were fine since then. I was leaving there last weekend after a 6 month absence. The bags still disappear and you wait for clearance, but once again they are asking the passenger to surrender the key and combination to the luggage. If you do you are in violation of federal law. After being shown the following information, and actually reading it I might add, the TSA representatives agreed to do it my way.
From the TSA website:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1666.xml
Transporting Special Items
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms - There are specific regulatory requirements to transport a firearm:
* The firearm must be checked with the air carrier as luggage. Firearms are prohibited from carry-on baggage.
* The firearm must be declared orally or in writing in accordance with the air carrier's procedures (contact your air carrier for their specific procedures).
* The firearm must be unloaded.
* The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
* The container must be locked.
* The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared.
If the passenger is not present during screening, and the container must be opened, the air carrier is required to locate the passenger so that the passenger will be present during screening.
Ammunition - Ammunition is likewise prohibited from carry-on luggage. Ammunition may not be carried loose. It must travel in the manufacturer's packaging or other packaging suitable for transport. Consult your air carrier to determine quantity limitations or whether the ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm.
This same information is available at the TSA site under the FAQ's.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198004ad07
Q: Can I transport guns or firearms?
A: Guns and Firearms are NOT permitted in your carry-on baggage, but depending on the policy of your airline, they may be included with your checked baggage. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in. Only you, the passenger, may have the key or combination.
Q: What about ammunition?
A: Ammunition is NOT permitted in your carry-on baggage, but depending on the policy of your airline, may be included with your checked baggage. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.
TSA also acknowledges that there regs are codified in Title 49 of the CFR:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=79
The TSA issues and administers Transportation Security Regulations (TSRs), which are codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter XII, parts 1500 through 1699. Many TSRs are former rules of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that were transferred to TSA when TSA assumed FAAâ??s civil aviation security function on February 17, 2002.
You will need two parts of the CFR. One applies to you, the traveler, the other to the TSA agent.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...ess.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/octqtr/49cfr1540.111.htm
[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.
.
.
(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.
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...ess.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/octqtr/49cfr1544.203.htm
[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: 49CFR1544.203]
[Page 320-321]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER XII--TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
PART 1544--AIRCRAFT OPERATOR SECURITY: AIR CARRIERS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS
--Table of Contents
Subpart C--Operations
Sec. 1544.203 Acceptance and screening of checked baggage.
.
.
(f) Firearms in checked baggage. No aircraft operator may knowingly
permit any person to 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 any firearm carried in
the baggage is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;
(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the
individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and
[[Page 321]]
(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an
area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the
flightcrew compartment,.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(g) 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.
I highly recommend that you print out the TSA site pages with their logo as well as the CFR and carry it with you while you travel. THERE ARE MANY TSA AND AIRLINE PERSONNEL WHO STILL DO NOT KNOW THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THEIR OWN JOBS.
