Flying w handgun
- Thread starter krw
- Start date
You would be better off to ship the gun to yourself UPS, signature required at a UPS store where you can pick it up when you land. They could care less what's in the package. You can call the UPS Store in advance and tell them you will be in to get it. First stop from airport... UPS Store. Way, way fewer headaches. And you can insure it.
Cheers,
Sirhr
Cheers,
Sirhr
Just show it to the TSA gal. They'll put a tag on it, cuffs on you and then shoot someone's toe off.
Last edited:
Transporting Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration
Learn how to properly prepare, pack and declare firearms and ammunition in checked baggage when flying. Review TSA rules, airline policies, and legal requirements.
A small pistol case can be placed in your main bag after declaring it/inspection, etc.
I've flown that way.
Your ammo could go in the bag since it's separate from the pistol and case, but I'd skip trying that.
I've flown that way.
Your ammo could go in the bag since it's separate from the pistol and case, but I'd skip trying that.
I work an airline and fly with firearms pretty regularly. Check the policy of your airline and TSA for specifics but yes, you can fly with them and your ammo.
If you have questions the airline or thousands standing around can’t answer, message me.
If you have questions the airline or thousands standing around can’t answer, message me.
Pretty easy. Place handgun or long gun in locked case declare it at check in. Ammo up to x number of boxes can be in checked bag outside of locked gun box.
More specific directions can be found on airline website.
More specific directions can be found on airline website.
11 pounds per person seems to be standard for ammo limit across the board.
I have done this.
I just put the pistol, mags, and ammo (in ammo box), in a smaller Pelican case in my checked bag.
Followed TSA rules
Told dude when checking in.
Very easy.
I just put the pistol, mags, and ammo (in ammo box), in a smaller Pelican case in my checked bag.
Followed TSA rules
Told dude when checking in.
Very easy.
Each airline has their own rules so there is no substitute for checking with the airline you are booked on. I flew one airline and all ammunition had to be in the original manufacturers container.
True story. I was sent to Detroit on business. My home state has reciprocity. Zero chance of leaving it at home.
Return flight, checking in at Detroit Metro, I walked up to the ticket counter and said, "One passenger, one carry on and one checked with an unloaded firearm." The ticket agent immediately got flustered. Turns out it was Day One on the new job. Her trainer approached from behind but it was actually me who walked her through the process. "I need one of those orange tags right there, thank you."
Once I filled out the tag, put it inside the case, locked it and slid it over to her, she looked at me and with her warmest customer service smile asked, "Will this be check in or carry on?"
To complete her training I informed her this type of luggage is always check in.
True story. I was sent to Detroit on business. My home state has reciprocity. Zero chance of leaving it at home.
Return flight, checking in at Detroit Metro, I walked up to the ticket counter and said, "One passenger, one carry on and one checked with an unloaded firearm." The ticket agent immediately got flustered. Turns out it was Day One on the new job. Her trainer approached from behind but it was actually me who walked her through the process. "I need one of those orange tags right there, thank you."
Once I filled out the tag, put it inside the case, locked it and slid it over to her, she looked at me and with her warmest customer service smile asked, "Will this be check in or carry on?"
To complete her training I informed her this type of luggage is always check in.
My guess is nothing, but loss of insurance. I gave a handgun to a dealer to ship to a buyer several years back. He shipped it ground UPS. When the package was stolen they refused to pay because it was not shipped next day air.
Read the airline's policy.
Read the TSA procedures.
Don't panic and conform to the rules.
Here is a hint at how many people do this daily.
At the luggage carousel see how many people are waiting on thier bags.
When they get them immediately run into the bathroom and come out smiling.
If they had to piss they would have done so first before baggage started to flow.
Read the TSA procedures.
Don't panic and conform to the rules.
Here is a hint at how many people do this daily.
At the luggage carousel see how many people are waiting on thier bags.
When they get them immediately run into the bathroom and come out smiling.
If they had to piss they would have done so first before baggage started to flow.
Any violators of these rules can face criminal prosecution and the imposition of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.
----------
Once I filled out the tag, put it inside the case, locked it and slid it over to her, she looked at me and with her warmest customer service smile asked, "Will this be check in or carry on?"
----------
I bet you could have gotten her number if you proceeded to ask her. No matter what political leaning (except the militant left/man hating bull dykes), most women dig a real man who knows shit about different things, always level headed in any situation, and can handle shit if bad things happen (firearm).
Her supervisor got to be more than a bit embarrassed deep down, for someone to know the mechanisms of their job more than they do...
Flying with a pistola is not difficult. Anyone who says otherwise, to say it nicely, is stupid, inexperienced, and uninformed. I take my shit wherever I go in this country.
1. Buy pelican case and locks (don't be poor)
2. Place unloaded gun and mags in case
3. Lock case and go to airport.
4. Check in and declare fire arm.
5. Unlock case, show clear, re-lock case, place now locked case into checked bag.
6. Fill out tag.
7. Give them checked bag
8. Get your 4th Amendment sodomized by TSA.
9. Enjoy flight.
It is incredibly perplexing to me when keyboard warriors say shit akin to you'll get arrested or cuffed, etc. I've traveled with multiple firearms with hundreds or rounds on assorted civilian carriers (American, Delta, United) to multiple airports. It's not fucking difficult.
This is my setup for flying with Pistol:
1. Buy pelican case and locks (don't be poor)
2. Place unloaded gun and mags in case
3. Lock case and go to airport.
4. Check in and declare fire arm.
5. Unlock case, show clear, re-lock case, place now locked case into checked bag.
6. Fill out tag.
7. Give them checked bag
8. Get your 4th Amendment sodomized by TSA.
9. Enjoy flight.
It is incredibly perplexing to me when keyboard warriors say shit akin to you'll get arrested or cuffed, etc. I've traveled with multiple firearms with hundreds or rounds on assorted civilian carriers (American, Delta, United) to multiple airports. It's not fucking difficult.
This is my setup for flying with Pistol:
Last edited:
For not declaring your firearms. I’ve seen a handful of people get hauled off for that after TSA finds it without a declaration card.
UPS is not TSA. I am not trying to be a smart ass. I am being serious. Trying learn something if possible.
For example. Have you seen the signs on trucks (normally dump trucks) that say
"Not responsible for broken windshields"
Those are utter bull shit just trying to intimidate you. Fact is they are 100% responsible to keep 100% of their load inside the truck.
I don’t work for UPS nor have I ever attempted to ship firearms with a common carrier so you’d have to refer to their policies. When you asked the question I got the impression we were still talking about checking items on a plane per the OP.
Her trainer was cool. The new agent (she was hot) looked over at her when I 'splained how this works and the trainer just smiled and nodded her head. New agent did have enough sense not to take my word as gospel and sought affirmation from her trainer.
I can't fault the airline or the trainer. You simply cannot prepare a new hire for every possible situation. That's why they have trainers.
And thank you for not writing in your usual invisible ink color. Seriously, I would not even have read it.
Same kind of doubt with new leo.
They did not pay attention in thier classes. I do not obey unlawful commands nor thier wishes just the law.
F them if they don't like it.
They old guys just smile and put thier hand on thier sidearm.
Thing is can they clear thier triple retention holster as fast as my open top?
I smile back.
They did not pay attention in thier classes. I do not obey unlawful commands nor thier wishes just the law.
F them if they don't like it.
They old guys just smile and put thier hand on thier sidearm.
Thing is can they clear thier triple retention holster as fast as my open top?
I smile back.
I usually highlight stuff in green. Perhaps different board formats are having trouble displaying it? I am using the default dark background w/ white text and green/red quotes.
I dispute that. I've flown with my AR in a pelican case with 6 full mags. No gripes from anyone along the way. Thats my experience. Plus when I check my Pistol, I have a 15 round mag, and a 21 round spare mag. Again, no gripes from airlines or TSA.
Legal is good
I would not try to fly into or out of CA with a standard (11&up) magazine
You might be fine, they might be taken
You might get a fine
You might get a court date
You might miss your flight
Same with jersey, NY and hawaii
I would not try to fly into or out of CA with a standard (11&up) magazine
You might be fine, they might be taken
You might get a fine
You might get a court date
You might miss your flight
Same with jersey, NY and hawaii
There is all sorts of conjecture in this thread. Lots of stories of "I've done XYZ" but they're purely anecdotal and some of the advice is wrong.
Long story short: Read the TSA page on flying with firearms, then read it again. Next, read your specific airline's page to see if they have any further restrictions.
For example, TSA allows you to transport your ammo loaded in mags (as long as the feed lips are taped shut, or they are in a separate compartment/pouch), however some airlines, Delta specifically, does not allow loaded mags at all. On Delta, ammo must be in original factory boxes.
The TSA-mandated limit on ammo is 11 lbs. This includes whatever the ammo is stored in - they weigh it all together. I've probably flown 50+ flights with a checked firearm/ammo and had my ammo weighed exactly once, at Louisville, KY by a Southwest agent. I can't say for sure, but it's possible I've been over the 11 lbs limit before... once or twice
In all my flights, I've never had any issues, never been delayed, never had anything go missing. Here are the most important recommendations I can make to anyone who wants to check a firearm:
If it's a work trip, I can throw my clothes in there, plus just my CCW pistol in a zippered soft case and everything is gravy. Or if I'm flying to a match I can fit two broken-down AR-15's (max 18" barrels), 2 pistols, and a bunch of shooting accessories. The only thing this doesn't fit is a long bolt gun.
Long story short: Read the TSA page on flying with firearms, then read it again. Next, read your specific airline's page to see if they have any further restrictions.
For example, TSA allows you to transport your ammo loaded in mags (as long as the feed lips are taped shut, or they are in a separate compartment/pouch), however some airlines, Delta specifically, does not allow loaded mags at all. On Delta, ammo must be in original factory boxes.
The TSA-mandated limit on ammo is 11 lbs. This includes whatever the ammo is stored in - they weigh it all together. I've probably flown 50+ flights with a checked firearm/ammo and had my ammo weighed exactly once, at Louisville, KY by a Southwest agent. I can't say for sure, but it's possible I've been over the 11 lbs limit before... once or twice
In all my flights, I've never had any issues, never been delayed, never had anything go missing. Here are the most important recommendations I can make to anyone who wants to check a firearm:
- Have printed copies in my carry on bag of both the TSA webpage and my airline's webpage of their regs/requirements. I've had to POLITELY pull it out a couple times to show gate agents (and a TSA agent, once) that they were asking me to do something directly against TSA policy.
- If you are checking a handgun in a locked case which is going inside a larger suitcase, be smart and use a suitcase with an exposed internal frame so that you can cable the pistol case to the suitcase frame. It's very easy for a luggage gorilla (all contractors) to slip your pistol case out of a suitcase. Much harder to make an entire suitcase disappear.
- This is not in TSA regs, but I've found that locking cases need to have a lock through all the locking holes. My long Pelican rifle case has 6 holes - I put in 6 locks, even though 3-4 adequately do the job. It's not worth the fight with TSA/gate agents because ultimately, they get to decide if you are allowed to check your gun or not.
- On that note, the locks must be regular padlocks. DO NOT use TSA locks which can be opened by any TSA agent.
- For god's sake, triple check your carry on luggage to make sure you don't have any empty brass or live ammo (or a concealed snubby in your briefcase!!). Lots of people have had very bad days due to an inadvertent mistake.
If it's a work trip, I can throw my clothes in there, plus just my CCW pistol in a zippered soft case and everything is gravy. Or if I'm flying to a match I can fit two broken-down AR-15's (max 18" barrels), 2 pistols, and a bunch of shooting accessories. The only thing this doesn't fit is a long bolt gun.
Last edited:
I mean, good for you? I’m not trying to be a dick by that but I get trained on recognizing/accepting/denying hazmat twice a year and I can say 11lbs is the recognized limit just about everywhere. Do I agree with it? No. What if everyone on the plane decided to check ammo? It’s not likely but could theoretically happen. Glad you were able to slip in under the radar and the counter agents have been complacent but eventually someone, probably a liberal who wants to stick it to a gun owner is going to tell you dump the ammo on the scale and you’re going to be either donating anything over the limit to the trash can or taking it back to your car and hoping you still have time to make it to the gate.
Apparently, I can't read. I swore up and down you wrote "11 rounds" not "11 pounds" .??
I'm an idiot. You, Sir, are most definitely correct.
Almost as bad as NY. One full mag and one in the chamber is all you get at 40 thousand.
I know how to fly with firearms. But I refuse to provide answers in threads like these.
Why? Because the people doing the asking are too fucking lazy to do basic homework and want the answer provided by someone else.
I never have, and never will reply on internet forums for answers to firearm legal questions. I always do my homework because it's my ass on the line.
Oh and LOL at those who would go through the ridiculous hassle of shipping a firearm instead of flying with it.
Why? Because the people doing the asking are too fucking lazy to do basic homework and want the answer provided by someone else.
I never have, and never will reply on internet forums for answers to firearm legal questions. I always do my homework because it's my ass on the line.
Oh and LOL at those who would go through the ridiculous hassle of shipping a firearm instead of flying with it.
Similar threads
