Re: For those who have declared firearms at the airport...
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:37 am
I suppose you may have to pay for an extra bag?
The focal point for Texas firearms information and discussions
https://texaschlforum.com/
Yesgus wrote:Are combination locks ok for the gun safe?
Seabear wrote: Negative. Both times the card was put in the locked container. According to TSA regs. there is not supposed to be any indication that there is a firearm in the suitcase. I asked and they said they could see the card in the case with their x-ray machine.
Not on Southwest but you still have to get fondled or nudie scanned by Team Sexual Assault.kjolly wrote:I suppose you may have to pay for an extra bag?
howdy wrote:I am flying on Southwest this Sunday from Houston to Lubbock. I have a small combo single handgun safe that I use in my car when I go inside my place of work. Two questions: Can I leave the suitcase unlock (I lost the key) and have this locked safe securing the handgun and can I place the loaded magazines inside this locked safe with the handgun.
See here for more info: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Travelers must declare all firearms, ammunition, and parts 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. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
TSA inspects all firearm cases at the ticket counter. Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If travelers are not present and the security officer must open the container, TSA or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
Travelers 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.
Travelers may not 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).
Ammunition may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows packing guidelines described above.
TSA prohibits black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder.
These regulations are strictly enforced. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Texas Size 11 wrote:How did that go for you? I declared for my first time last week headed down to Florida for a little play time. I left from DFW and the agent had to send it down to TSA to check out what I brought (handgun) and I had to send the key with it. I then had to wait twenty minutes for my key to come back with an a-ok. Now, when I declared in Florida, they said great, slapped a sticker on it and I was on my merry way. She asked if it was unloaded and I said yes. Done.
What have been your experiences?
sjfcontrol wrote:From the TSA website...See here for more info: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Travelers must declare all firearms, ammunition, and parts 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. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
TSA inspects all firearm cases at the ticket counter. Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If travelers are not present and the security officer must open the container, TSA or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
Travelers 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.
Travelers may not 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).
Ammunition may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows packing guidelines described above.
TSA prohibits black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder.
These regulations are strictly enforced. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
EXCERPTS FROM CFR 49:
(c) In checked baggage. A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in
checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under
§1562.23 of this chapter:
(1) Any loaded firearm(s).
(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is unloaded;
(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and
(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.
This. I've had every flavor of inspection, too. Surprisingly, the most grief I get is out of DFW. Atlanta, Tampa, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Las Vegas...never a fuss. Further, if the person is doing the procedure incorrectly, I just grin and bear it. No sense making an issue out of it and getting further scrutiny.ELB wrote:I've had all the variations described above -- declaration card inside the gunbox/card outside the gunbox, show unloaded/don't show, show behind curtain (rare)/show at the counter (most common), walk the bag myself to TSA/airline employee walk bag to TSA, TSA wants to look in the gunbox/don't want to look in the box. At one airport the TSA was even verifying guns were unloaded for the airlines, altho I think that has since changed.
I just make sure MY end of the process is golden, go with the local airport flow, and have not had any problems. I always tell the TSA guy I will be standing by while they run it thru the machine, and this has always worked out. The process eats up some time, but has never been a real problem. Of course, I only fly to and from free states.And lately I don't feel like flying much at all.
I always leave the mags loose in the suitcase. Easier to pack them in the small spaces you inevitably have. I have used the Plano large pistol case successfully a number of times. I lock it up with a small Master-Lock.cpmann wrote:Anyone got a good recommendation for a case to use to transport a small pistol and 3 mags ?
GhostTX wrote:I was thinking about getting one of these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/de ... ber=593313" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;