Flying with Guns

This article does not constitute legal advice and CGR assumes no liability for its misuse.  It is for information purposes only.  The following only applies to Domestic US airtravel.
 
 

First and foremost you need to do your own homework.  Check with your own airline for additional restrictions, ammo and bag weight limits etc.  It is also a good idea to check with TSA for any new regulations before flying.

The following recommendations are based solely on my personal experiences flying with guns primarily on Southwest Airlines.

Go to your airline and the TSA website and print out any relevant info or regulations so you have it on hand in case something comes up at the airport.

Get to the airport early.  With the long lines these days it never hurts to have some extra time for any unforeseen hassles due to checking firearms.

Be nice and polite to the agent, even if they don’t know the regulations.  You don’t want your luggage to end up in Hawaii when you are going to Miami.

Put your guns in a hard sided lockable case.  I like to use a 3 layer box approximately 12x6x6.  I can put multiple guns and mags in the case and they are well protected.  I put the hard case inside of my standard duffel bag so that nothing on the outside indicates something of value like a gun.

Tape all ammo boxes closed.  It really sucks when you get to where you are going and find loose ammo everywhere.

I usually wait until the baggage tags have been printed then tell the agent the following “I would like to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked baggage”.  At this point they will usually want to inspect it to make sure it is unloaded.  Try to be discreet and shield your bag/guns with your body and show the agent the empty magwell and chamber or cylinder.

The agent will have you fill out a tag that basically states that the gun is unloaded and then place it inside your hardcase with the gun.  Lock the case and put it back in your bag.  I also recommend a lock or HD ziptie on your exterior bag.

Stay with your bag.  After you are done with the agent your bags will likely be X-rayed.  Stay nearby and keep an eye on your bag.  The TSA folks may want to inspect it and I like to be present if they do.  I don’t let my bags out of my sight until they hit the belt to take them the great luggage maze deep inside the airport.

Some airports are now putting a tag on the outside of the bag to let the TSA folks know that you declared the gun.  Do not let them put anything on the outside of your bag that identifies it as having a firearm inside.  It is illegal.

Last year at Midway they gave me a piece of paper to show the agent and that was actually a great idea.  On the other hand I had to go through 3 southwest supervisors and 3 TSA folks at one airport before they would remove a firearms tag from the outside of my bag.  They said it was just so the TSA agent would know that the gun was declared and then they would remove it but its still against the law and makes your bag high profile.  They the left tag on a friend’s bag I was traveling with that day, so that everyone who saw the bag could easily tell that it contained firearms.

If you plan to check several guns and ammo weigh your bag before going to the airport and find out what your airlines policies are.  Some only let you have 2 bags under 50 pounds while other let you have 3 bags up to 70 pounds plus 2 sporting cases in additon.

Overall flying with firearms is not a major hassle and fairly easy but remember to do your homework and it will be easier.

Federal Regulations
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1666.xml

High quality hard cases
http://pelican.com/
http://www.starlightcases.com/
http://doskosport.com/Catalog.plx?Page=AllGun  AW series only.