Flying With Declared Firearms: Question

Ugh. I always check up on the rules before I fly with declared firarmes to make sure nothing bad happens.

I found something interesting this time: apparently you can have mags with ammo in them as long as the mags are in a mag holster that doesn't leave any ammo exposed.

My question: NWA says they recommend you use a tsa lock on gun luggage. That's changed, and I think they're wrong as TSA seems to imply the opposite. Delta also doesn't say anything similar. The reason I think they're wrong is that it defeats the prior stated logic of the tsa - they don't want a tsa lock on the gun because they don't want anyone opening the case in the secure area. The passenger is supposed to have the lock with he or she, so they can unlock it on landing and no one else.

Whaddya think?

TSA opens every case that contains a firearm so they can place a tag inside stating that it's been inspected and locked properly as well as unloaded.

But from my experience, the owner must be there as the firearm is inspected. So really, there's no point in having a gun case that has a TSA lock on it.

Yeah, that's been my experience as well..

I just use UPS/FedEx ahead of time and have it there waiting on me.

If your gun is locked away in luggage in the luggage compartment, why do the mags need to be loaded?

I only flew with weapons as part of the military. Even when flying in a small group on commercial airlines, they never looked at our weapons or asked any questions.

I keep five mags loaded for my 1911, and 3 for my xd40. When I travel, I have to unload about 65 rounds of ammo and put it back in it's boxes. If I could just stick the mags in a container, it would save time.

Plus, when I get into the car at the airport and get off airport property, I could then just pop my mag in, rack the slide, and be ready to enjoy life.

And death!

Hopefully not.

Well, I'm not in jail.

For now.

Any hard case that's lockable will do. If you'd be ok with a cheap solution to hold you over, you can head over to Wal-Mart and buy one of those lockable fire resistant safes you use to store papers in. Wrap a towel around your gun and stuff it in there and you'll be good to go.

That's what I did for years. Well, I still do because I'm cheap.

You're thinking of those 20lb safes. I tried looking at the website, but I couldn't find it anymore. What I have pretty much a glorified cash box.

Do you have a friend in the area?

Linky from the BATFE itself.

Just have a look around WalMart, Office Max, Staples, etc.

You've got to balance heft against security. If it can be placed into your checked luggage after inspection, go with something super cheap and super light (an aluminum lockable cash box). But, if it's got to ride on it's own in the luggage compartment and remain secured, you may want something with a little heft and a better lock (small fire safe).

Edit: Or, if you want to do it the hard way, go to the Academy, get certified, get a job, and take a class.

It just needs to be hardsided and lockable. Me being paranoid about baggage handlers, I used one of those small fireproof document safes that they sell at Walmart.

Frontline, I have flown with hard plastic cases and with aluminum cases. TSA beats the living hell out of these things.

1) I recommend wrapping the guns if you're going to pack more than one, or they could easily rub against each other even if your case is tight and has good foam.
2) The best case I've found has been from a company called ICC impact. Their number is 877-687-2452. At least that's what my case says. It's easy to lock, which is critical for the idiots in TSA. They've broken three of my hard plastic cases. :\ It's strong, and it has the best foam and the most layers of any case I've used.