Air travel and handguns

[4xforfun]

I am flying down to AZ in a week to pick up my mother for the drive home. I would like to have my handgun with me for the trip. I want to either ship it or bring it in my checked bags. I know the number one answer will be "do a search". Did That. The only thing I found were on the shipping side. The problem was nobody could agree. Sounds like I can ship to an FFL in AZ..maybe. I found nothing on air travel. I remember someone saying that long guns needed to be in a "locked case". Don't know about handguns. I don't have a locking case for any of my hand guns. My plan was to "declare it" and stick it in my golf bag for the flight.

Does anyone have an idea on which would be the easyest way..ship it or bring it with me.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[Erik Cortina]

Gun needs to be in a case locked with a TSA approved lock. You have to declare it and they will give you a small slip to fill out with your information. That slip will be put inside the case where the gun is. I fly Southwest into Phoenix and it's simple but you just follow the rules.

 

[lawrence97]

Erik is correct. Also make sure it is unloaded! They will want to open case and inspect it. Ammo must be packaged or in an ammo box.

 

[4xforfun]

That is the same answer I got from a gun dealer in Mesa I just spoke with. He said way cheaper and easer to fly with it. Another question.....After I declare the gun, they do thier inspection, lock the case up, ect..., can I have the case put in my golf bag, or will I have to pay the $20.00 for another checked bag?? Also, the store owner said I can't bring ANY AMMO!!! That doesn't seem right. Worst case is to buy a box when i get there, but with the continous shortage, I may find myself SOL!!

 

[jonbearman]

Is it legal to ship from your home state where they might not honor your permit or does arizona have no pistol permits?

 

[watercam]

You can put it in another checked bag as long as it is in a locked case and unloaded. And declared!
jonbearman:
Whether or not he has a CCW permit that is good for multiple states he should know. He is allowed to transport an unloaded, cased (with lock) handgun in his car if it is in another compartment (trunk) and the ammunition is in a separate compartment (interior of the car). Not so in some states but all the western and mid-western states that I am aware of.

 

[LCazador]

Arizona has reciprocation on CCW with other states. I have flown with handguns and you can put the firearm in a locked case in your suitcase, ammunition must go in a separate case. Check with your airline for extra charges. It would be a lot cheaper to buy a case and pay airline charges. Right now it's about $100 to ship a handgun overnight through UPS or Fed-Ex, and handguns must be shipped overnight unless you are a dealer.

 

[Joe C]

Just put the gun in a locked case in your golf bag. If your case is big enough put a box of ammo in with the gun. The ammo can not be in the gun or mags, it must be in a cartridge box locked up either with the gun or in another case.

As for TSA approved locks, hogwash. I fly several times a year all over the country with multiple handguns and rifles (at least once a year to Phoenix for a client there) not to mention hundreds of rounds of ammo. They make you stand in a staging area for 5-10 minutes in case they need you to open the bag for them to look at it after they (TSA) scan it. I use the biggest heavy duty locks I can.

But rest assured you may get funny looks. Also you should know it is illegal for the counter ticket person to make you show them the gun is unloaded...Although they may try. If they do ask for a TSA agent as the ticket counter person has no authority in regards to guns.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Just put the gun in a locked case in your golf bag. If your case is big enough put a box of ammo in with the gun. The ammo can not be in the gun or mags, it must be in a cartridge box locked up either with the gun or in another case.

As for TSA approved locks, hogwash. I fly several times a year all over the country with multiple handguns and rifles (at least once a year to Phoenix for a client there) not to mention hundreds of rounds of ammo. They make you stand in a staging area for 5-10 minutes in case they need you to open the bag for them to look at it after they (TSA) scan it. I use the biggest heavy duty locks I can.

But rest assured you may get funny looks. Also you should know it is illegal for the counter ticket person to make you show them the gun is unloaded...Although they may try. If they do ask for a TSA agent as the ticket counter person has no authority in regards to guns.

Joe, it is not hogwash. I used to use big combination locks, and two years ago when I flew to Phoenix and claimed my gun cases, one of them had the locks inside and had been cut with bolt cutters. I reported it to TSA because I was afraid someone had broke into my box, and they told me that sometimes they need to get into the box to inspect, and if you do not have TSA approved locks, they will cut them. Now I have TSA approved locks.

OP, put ammo in same box as gun, but it must be out of gun and in separate box. They allow 11 lbs. of ammo, so take all you need.

 

[expiper]

OP,,,,as others have said ,,,YES,,,you can take it in a locked box in one of your checked bags,,,ammo is allowed with it,,,just not IN the gun,,,and you can take 4 (four) handguns,,,(or 2 (two) long guns) per flight and per passenger,,,Roger

 

[Joe C]

Just put the gun in a locked case in your golf bag. If your case is big enough put a box of ammo in with the gun. The ammo can not be in the gun or mags, it must be in a cartridge box locked up either with the gun or in another case.

As for TSA approved locks, hogwash. I fly several times a year all over the country with multiple handguns and rifles (at least once a year to Phoenix for a client there) not to mention hundreds of rounds of ammo. They make you stand in a staging area for 5-10 minutes in case they need you to open the bag for them to look at it after they (TSA) scan it. I use the biggest heavy duty locks I can.

But rest assured you may get funny looks. Also you should know it is illegal for the counter ticket person to make you show them the gun is unloaded...Although they may try. If they do ask for a TSA agent as the ticket counter person has no authority in regards to guns.

Joe, it is not hogwash. I used to use big combination locks, and two years ago when I flew to Phoenix and claimed my gun cases, one of them had the locks inside and had been cut with bolt cutters. I reported it to TSA because I was afraid someone had broke into my box, and they told me that sometimes they need to get into the box to inspect, and if you do not have TSA approved locks, they will cut them. Now I have TSA approved locks.

OP, put ammo in same box as gun, but it must be out of gun and in separate box. They allow 11 lbs. of ammo, so take all you need.

That's why I always wait for them to come out and tell me I'm clear...

As to the number of guns allowed...I don't know. But, last time I flew I had 9 pistols and a rifle with me...fwiw.

 

[Albany Mountain]

That is the same answer I got from a gun dealer in Mesa I just spoke with. He said way cheaper and easer to fly with it. Another question.....After I declare the gun, they do thier inspection, lock the case up, ect..., can I have the case put in my golf bag, or will I have to pay the $20.00 for another checked bag?? Also, the store owner said I can't bring ANY AMMO!!! That doesn't seem right. Worst case is to buy a box when i get there, but with the continous shortage, I may find myself SOL!!

After inspection, they handle the case to baggage so no, you can't put it anywhere else. If you are facing baggage fee's for items, pay it.

Ammo is allowed in factory or proper containers, can be with the firearm, or in other baggage. 10 lb limit most airlines.

 

[hmcsr]

This is copied from the Southwest Airlines website re: Baggage.

"Guns and Ammunition

Guns

Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through.
Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and ensure that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.
Paintball guns are allowed in checked baggage and are not subject to the container requirements of firearms. Customers must declare the paintball gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter. Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carryon only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e., the cylinder has an open end). TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.
Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, locked container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
The locked container or suitcase must completely secure the firearm from access. Cases or suitcases that can be pulled open with minimal effort do not meet the locked criterion.
Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made.
Firearms may be checked and will count toward the two-piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.
Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.
Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.


Ammunition

Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage!
Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.
Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed.
Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be conditionally accepted."

Stand by at the TSA scan point to unlock the case if needed.
The red hi-lite is mine.

Bill 8)

 

[bobinpa]

As for TSA approved locks, hogwash. I fly several times a year all over the country with multiple handguns and rifles (at least once a year to Phoenix for a client there) not to mention hundreds of rounds of ammo. They make you stand in a staging area for 5-10 minutes in case they need you to open the bag for them to look at it after they (TSA) scan it. I use the biggest heavy duty locks I can.

+1 and FWIW, the last time I flew (to Canada and back in 2011) the guns had to be in a locked case. The ammo was supposed to be in the same case and the ONLY person that should be able to open the case was the OWNER of the case.

The mindset is that they do not want anyone (TSA included) to be able to open the case to get to the gun or the ammo unless the owner is present. If the case was to be inspected the owner would be present and they would be able to open the case. There is no need for locks to be cut off because once the locks are cut off it is an unlocked case and an accessible gun with ammo to match. Pittsburgh PA, Missoula MT and Edmonton Canada all concurred.

 

[Syncrowave]

Call ahead of time and ask the carrier their rules. Seems like they change all the time and from carrier to carrier.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Tod,

I do a lot of flying.. Can you fly to your destination and bring a firearm/handgun & ammo? Yes.

Three most important things that you absolutely do are:
1: Research/contact the carrier for their policy & procedures.. Adhere to them strictly. Contact the carrier at your point of departure.. Print out the carrier policy and carry it with you.
2: Have a ton of patience, expect to be question and treated in a very formal manner.. Again have a ton of patience and be compliant. The carrier/TSA folks can be wrong and if you get snippy & short, you are at their mercy if you want things to go smooth..
3: Arrive way early to process thru security & check in. If your departing out of GFK or FAR, be walking in the terminal door 2 hrs before your scheduled departure. If you are flying out of MSP, make it 3 hrs.

Be respectful, patient and compliant... If you want to make your flight on time with all your gear...

Rod

 

[artbosco]

I flew a pistol up to Alaska a few years back. It was a very simple process. Arrive a few minutes earlier in case there is a line at the designated TSA station.

The Rules: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

 

[Eddie Harren]

Outdoorsman, that link was very helpful. Thanks.

 

[thekriebles]

The Rules: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

Thank you for this link...very informative.