Transporting firearm on airline flight

[Laneman]

I may be flying to New Orleans in the near future and intend to bring my Glock 19. Just wondering about all the packaging requirements as well as when and where I can holster it after landing. I saw one airline's web site mention a placing the gun in a hard sided case with a padlock. My glock came in a plastic case. Does this meet the definition? Having grown up in the town, I wouldn't even want to walk to my rental car without carrying. Can someone who knows walk me through the steps, including packaging both gun and ammo?

[jimlongley]

Any hard sided case will suffice, even a hard sided suitcase with the gun loose inside. Is that a good idea? No!

Use the plastic box the gun came in, with a lock that only you have he key to. You may be required to show the airline ticket agent that the gun is unloaded, but TSA is not required to see the same. TSA should only need to look in your gun case if the x-ray alarms on something in your bag, so be prepared to stay with or near your bag until TSA passes it.

As far as holstering up, when I travel in TX I usually holster up in the restroom of the airport, but other states have ifferent laws, so I check on them before travelling.

[DoubleJ]

Also, you can have up to 11pounds of ammo in your checked luggage. this ammo must be secured in some way.
fer instance: when I flew this past weekend I put all my SelfDefense rounds in the box they came in.
however, you can put them in a magazine (the mag can't go back into the handgun), but the mag needs to go into a mag pouch.
TSA's reasoning is that they don't want anything coming in contact with the primer.

[ELB]

Laneman,

If this is not too late...

You need to check two sources -- The TSA's website, and the website(s) of the airline(s) you will be flying. Search/look for "firearms" and "prohibitied items" and/or "sporting goods," and you will eventually come across the rules the TSA has and the rules the airline has.

The airline can be more stringent than the TSA. For example, TSA permits carrying the ammo in magazines, as long as they fully enclose the rounds (e.g. magazine is inside a carrier with no rounds exposed), but American Airlines states ammo has to be in manufacturer's original packaging. (I put my magazines wrapped in thin foam inside an original 50-round ammo box and reinforced the box with clear packaging tape. Worked for me).

Also TSA says ammo can be in same hardcase as the gun, but some airlines say no. Some debate about whether that is a good idea -- if someone rips off your hardcase in transit, they have the ammo too. Dunno the real answer to that one.

Airlines vary a bit as to how many guns you can take, or how many in a container. If you are taking only your Glock, not a problem for you.

Here's some links I put in a previous post in Oct 07:


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... ems.shtm#5

Ammunition - 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. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section.

Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm

Traveling with Special Items
Firearms & Ammunition

You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns.

The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are:

You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.

The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.


We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.

elb

[Dougmyers5]

Some Airlines are not allowing any guns on board at all.

I think American Airlines just took this stance in the last month or two so be sure to check with your Carrier before you go to the Airport.

[Xander]

I think American Airlines just took this stance in the last month or two so be sure to check with your Carrier before you go to the Airport.

Only on flights to/from the United Kingdom.