atxgun wrote:I recently picked up a friend from the airport and got to thinking I'm probably going to be flying at some point and should get an approved lock box.
Suggestions?
I'm thinking a keyed box would be best as a triple digit combo can be brute forced pretty easily even if you're not a locksmith.
When declaring it do you just say "I would like to declare my firearm?" I don't want to freak anyone out that I have a gun at the airport.
From what I understand you cannot transport ammunition so I need to find a local gun store or walmart at my destination, right?
Guns and ammo can be transported in checked baggage only - never in carry on unless you're a law enforcement officer authorized to carry on board.
These
lock boxes are typical of what you need. There are other manufacturers and types as well, but these can be used to secure your gun in your car when necessary as well. Dual use is a good thing.
Don't worry about the combo lock - if someone is going to take the gun from inside the suitcase, they'll take the whole box and break it open later. The lock type won't matter.
When you go to the ticket counter, simply say: "In accordance with TSA and airline regulations, I am declaring an unloaded firearm in my checked luggage." Most agents will immediately pull out the red or orange tag that shows you've declared the gun, and ask you to fill it out. If the agent either stares at you and starts drooling or says, "That's nice" but doesn't get out the tag, immediately ask for a supervisor. If you get to the TSA baggage intake point without that declaration tag, your day will get ugly.
Some agents will say they are required to have you show them the gun is unloaded, so make sure the box is on top of the stuff in your luggage and easily accessible. It's also good to have an autopistol stored with the slide removed, and a revolver with the cylinder open and a lock through the frame. This makes the inspection process easy. Airline agents are not allowed to handle the gun.
The completed declaration tag should go inside your luggage on top of the box containing the gun so the TSA can readily see it. Some insist on putting it inside the gun box, which makes little sense because the TSA can't see it there. You can point this out, but if they insist, just do it.
Your luggage bag should be secured with a TSA bypassable lock so it can be readily inspected. If the ticket counter is one where the luggage is put on a belt behind the counter, watch the bag until it goes on the belt and is out of sight. More commonly, the agent will either direct you to a TSA baggage screening point or send an airline employee to escort you there. As you hand the bag to the TSA agent, tell him "This bag contains a declared unloaded firearm." He or she will most often take the bag to a table and, under your observation, search the bag. They will also usually ask you to open the gun box. They are not allowed to handle the gun. When they are done, secure the gun box with either a combination only you know or a key that only you have (not a TSA bypassable lock), then lock the luggage itself with a TSA bypassable lock in case it needs to be opened at another inspection point.
You can put small amounts of ammunition in checked baggage (round count varies by airline, but it's usually in the low hundreds) as long as it's packed in the original ammunition boxes. Check the airline's website for details. If ammo is in your luggage, declare it at both the airline ticket counter and the TSA checkpoint.
I also recommend against flying with high value firearms whenever possible, because baggage theft and loss is a significant concern. When I fly, I usually take an easily replaceable Glock that falls well within the airline's reimbursement limits for lost or stolen baggage.