Very interesting...My wife just flew to Maine. She checked her Sig P220 in her luggage and 6 fully loaded magazines (the handgun was unloaded) and DID NOT declare it. About an hour later, she was paged to meet with airport police (San Francisco Airport Police) and the TSA. She did as requested.
After some questioning, etc the TSA confiscated the ammunition, made her put declare the handgun, however allowed the handgun to be checked in. However, she was not treated rudely or badly. Not handcuffed, etc. Although, there were 3 police officers there.
Now, my wife is a fully sworn police officer in California and she did show her ID and badge. However, PRIOR to that, they had no way of knowing who/what she was. She didn't thing it was that big of a deal.
Although she did have to buy more ammo when she got to Maine. When she came home, she had to put the ammunition in its original box. Otherwise, she could not have checked it.
In November, 2001, right after 9/11 I went to Blackwater Lodge. Took their Advanced Pistol Course. I had no problem getting out of Oakland, none whatsover. I checked TWO handguns, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition (I shipped another 2,000 rounds there prior).
However, when I came back, through Norfolk VA, I ran into all kinds of problems. I was jammed up by the security and police. This, after me even showing I was a police officer. I didn't receive any special treatment at all. I wasn't handcuffed, however I was stripped down to my underwear. All my luggage, etc was gone through; with a fine tooth comb.
I didn't find any of it excessive. I admit, I didn't go through what those people did (assuming their stories are true).
