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Not sure what the limit is but 2 guns is no problem.

KBCraig wrote:

frankie_the_yankee wrote:The "Unloaded Firearm" tag always goes INSIDE the case.

Point of clarification: SOP used to be that the declaration went on top of the firearms case when inside another piece of luggage, but inside if the firearms case was a standalone piece of luggage (i.e., shotgun or rifle case).

Has this changed?

Every time I have flown with a gun, spanning about 15 years now, they have had me put the orange tag inside the hard case with the gun and lock it up.

I fly with checked firearms quite often, and my experience has been somewhat different. A few points.

troglodyte wrote: BTW, TSA is real picky about letting you touch anything once the case is in their possession. If they need it unlocked, more than likely you will have to give them your key/combo.

I have never had TSA do this. They have always asked me to unlock the case if needed. Frequently, they just inspect it with the machine and do not require it to be opened.

troglodyte wrote: When I get to the counter I present my DL and flight information and tell the agent I need to "declare a firearm". They will ask if it is unloaded and have you fill out some documentation with name, address, phone, and, IIRC something about the firearm being unloaded, etc.

I've never had an agent have me fill out anything with name, address and phone except for the name/address tags that are normally affixed to checked bags VOLUNTARILY, whether they contain declared guns or not.

The only thing that is required by federal law and/or any airline policy that I have ever encountered is the orange tag that says, "Unloaded Firearm", where you simply sign and date a statement to the effect that the declared firearm is unloaded and that you understand that it is a felony to make this claim falsely.

The only time they gave me a form to fill out was once in San Jose where the agent misunderstood and thought I was declaring that I would be carrying a loaded firearm with me in the passenger cabin. I knew something was wrong right away when I saw check boxes for statements like, "I am a US Marshall transporting a federal prisoner.....".

I went, "Whoa! What's this? I ain't no US Marshall. I just want to check an unloaded firearm in my checked baggage."

troglodyte wrote: The agent will then do one of two things, either check the firearm themselves or have you walk/follow the bag to the TSA where they check it. At some point someone will attach a tag to the suitcase. I'm not sure what it says or means.

The "Unloaded Firearm" tag always goes INSIDE the case. TSA attaches a small sticky TSA tag to every checked bag they screen, whether it contains a firearm or not. It is simply SOP for them.

troglodyte wrote: If you are flying out-of-state, make sure you know the firearms laws where you are going.

M

You bet. You won't have any problems on the way out, but you can easily get busted on the way back when you declare the gun(s) in some repressive jurisdiction where, for the time being, (meaning until SCOTUS rules on Parker) you are not allowed to possess them. Chicago and NYC are prime examples of this. MA is another, with NJ not far behind.