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BigBangSmallBucks wrote:
My comment was in reference to a Non-TSA lock being placed on luggage not on the gun case, I even put the forum member's own words in bold to illustrate that. I had a flight earlier this month and used a TSA lock on my luggage but used a regular Non-TSA masterlock on my gun case.

Even there, if the luggage (e.g. suitcase) meets the definition of a hard case for the purpose of checking a gun, they are not authorized to cut the lock - even if the gun happens to also have a second case and lock inside the main luggage.

BigBangSmallBucks wrote: If a Non-TSA lock is used TSA has the authority to cut it, . . .

That's not 100% correct.

If it is a hard-sided case with a declared firearm they do not have that authority. Legally, you (gun owner) are required to have all the keys for the duration of the journey (you can unlock the case for the TSA) and since most TSA employees are not allowed to have weapons on the job, cutting a gun case lock (and thus taking possession of your gun) can line them up for trouble. They have the authority to call you back to screening to unlock the case.

Of course if they mess up and forget to read the tag before cutting it can be a hassle for you, too, because an unlocked gun case cannot fly. Best case (heh), you have a spare padlock. Worst case, you get pulled off the plane and miss your flight.

I have had TSA locks messed with. I have never had padlocks on a gun case harmed (I have been asked to unlock). I once had a TSA person who saw me carrying a padlocked pelican "warn" me that the lock would be cut. I replied, "gun case." He replied, "oh..."


Legally, it seems clear you cannot use TSA locks on a gun case due to the requirement that you keep control of the keys.

AF-Odin wrote:I usually use the same locked box for firearm and ammo. ammo is in "factory" box inside locked box. IIRC the actual TSA limit is something like 11 pounds of ammo????

Yep!

I use a "Snap Safe" lockbox when flying nowadays. It is a steel box that is just big enough to hold a pistol and magazine , not ammo, so of course I pointed out the important-to-me point that the ammo doesn't need to be locked up with the gun. Should have remembered to say it is OK to have 'em in the same box too.

When carrying a larger case (e.g. I have a Pelican 1510) I will put everything (gun, ammo, cameras, etc) in the pelican, put a padlock on it, and check the whole thing. That works too.

My experience:

Ammo in the factory box or a plastic case (not in magazines). There are different rules for this and I'm not familiar with your airline, but in your suitcase (not in with the gun) locked with a TSA lock is probably fine. I have sometimes just bought ammo at my destination.

Use a key lock for your case, not a TSA lock. You keep possession of the key.

Make sure the hard case can be pulled out of the checked bag easily (without a full unpack).You will be putting a card in the locked case with the gun so the pelican will be opened at least once.

You can have other stuff in the case. Some people who fly with expensive gear (cameras) bring guns along just to be able to use real locks and reduce the risk of TSA screener theft.

Security screening varies massively. Some airports treat bags with guns as special and an employee will take them from the check-in counter directly to screening. Others want you to carry your bag to a TSA screening station and tell them it has a declared firearm. Sometimes the bag goes on the x-ray machine and that's it, other times they open the suitcase, call you over to unlock the gun case (arguing about whether you can or they must use the key), take out the gun, look at it like they have no idea what it is, wave it around a bit, bomb swab the slide, and in general make you go "hmmmm". In every case they tell you to wait near screening while they do their thing, and they may or may not remember to tell you they are done and you can go on to your flight.

It feels weird the first few times, but nothing bad has ever happened to me/I doubt it will to you.