Traveling with a Handgun from Ronald Reagan National Airport

[hirundo82]

Apparently TSA is changing on the requirement that you open the box and demonstrate a firearm is unloaded, as their machines are capable of determining whether it is unloaded (ie can visualize whether there is a round chambered).

I always use a Pelican case and a padlock when I fly with guns, but I tend to overpack things anyhow.

And the Northern Virginia airports seem to overreact when you are checking a firearm. I fly from Houston to Virginia a couple of times a year. TSA at both Bush and Hobby are nonchalant about it, but flying out of Dulles (I almost never fly from National) TSA always insists on openint the bag and doing a search by hand.

[nitrogen]

I have flown with handguns lots of times (at least 50 in the last year), and must say I only had one problem. It wasn't even with a TSA agent, it was with a local police officer in Portland, OR.

Apparently this police officer was under the impression that it was illegal to put a handgun in checked luggage (despite the signs everywhere saying certian items, like handguns MUST BE in checked luggage)
Apparently he was "helping out" TSA (it was during a busy travel season) and told me to "STAY RIGHT THERE AND DON'T MOVE A MUSCLE WHILE I GET SOMEONE."

He called on his radio and a TSA agent came running over. They had a brief, hushed conversation, and the officer slinked off, and the TSA Agent apologized for the other officer's behavior.

In every other case, TSA has been polite and helpful; and in some airports, like SFO, even entertaining.

I HAVE been asked a few times, "Are you with law enforcement?" because I insist on watching if the TSA Agent wants to manually inspect my bags, because "Only law enforcement officers seem to ask for that"

I think TSA has a hard job. Sometimes I think they do their job inadequately, but they have always, in my experience, done it politely.

For example, I was flying to DC (sans handguns) and got called out for a random hand inspection. The TSA Agents found a green laser pointer in my bags (I use this for presentations) and were unsure what to do about it. "We got a bulliten about these, but I'm not sure what to do, can you hold on please?"

I was allowed on with the laser pointer after a brief conference.

EDIT:

And yes, TSA has changed the requirement; their X-ray equipment can tell if a gun is loaded. I was told by 2 seperate agents at Love Field, "It helps us if you have a cable lock through the magwell and ejection port, or at least keep the firearm locked open."

[stevie_d_64]

I don't see what is to be gained by giving them a hard time?

Smile, be polite, know the rules, be pleasant but firm if they get wacky.

Bingo!

[stevie_d_64]

EDIT:

And yes, TSA has changed the requirement; their X-ray equipment can tell if a gun is loaded. I was told by 2 seperate agents at Love Field, "It helps us if you have a cable lock through the magwell and ejection port, or at least keep the firearm locked open."

Always worked for me...I keep a few spare zip ties under the foam liner just in case, just like prepping for a gun show...

[tomc]

I generally fly with American out of DFW to Va and use Dulles or Richmond. Never had a problem with Dulles TSA (I lock back the slide), only with poor service at American check-in.

At Richmond, TSA sent an inspector up to the check-in counter to visually inspect (no x-ray) and stamp the bag claim tag. Interesting routine.

[stevie_d_64]

I generally fly with American out of DFW to Va and use Dulles or Richmond. Never had a problem with Dulles TSA (I lock back the slide), only with poor service at American check-in.

At Richmond, TSA sent an inspector up to the check-in counter to visually inspect (no x-ray) and stamp the bag claim tag. Interesting routine.

I agree...I always thought the x-ray routine was redundant, and having to parade through, drawing attention to yourself was a bit disconcerting and un-necessary...

A visual inspection by both the ticket agent (who may or may not know a thing about firearms) and a TSA person would verify everything needing to be verified thats going into the "cargo" area of a plane...

But thats just my opinion...