Flying with a gun(special question)

[mgood]

Also, says it has to be in a hard sided case. I have a lock box that was given to me as a Christmas gift - but I do not feel it is too secure. Think it could be easily pried open with a screwdriver. Would locking up the original case my XD came in be sufficient? There are holes on the case that appear to be just what this was intended for.

Any lockable hard case will be fine. It could be in a soft "gun-rug" type zipper case if that is locked inside a hard suitcase. Or a hard plastic, locked, gun case such as the one your XD came with will work inside any checked baggage. It doesn't have to be in a pry-bar-proof vault to meet the regulations (though that might help you feel more comfortable), just something that can't be cut open with a knife.

I see that I am cross posting with someone else, so I'll leave it at that.

Don't let us run you off. I think you're the expert on this.

[ELB]

So, hoping I am reading right that I have to empty my mag before locking up my gun in its case and bring a box of ammo in its original sales box - the mag cannot be loaded. Correct?

Depends on the airline. FAA rules allow loaded magazines in magazine pouches if no rounds are exposed. That's what I do. However, your airline may require ammo to be packed in the original box. IDK.

To cover all the bases, I put my loaded magazines inside a "manufacturer's original packaging;" I use a regular Winchester .38 special box (cuz it is bigger than the 9mm I carry) reinforced with some clear tape. Put the loaded mags in, put my wife's .38 rounds and speed loaders and my "chamber" 9mm round in a plastic bag, and stuff that in too. A little sheet of foam padding to keep everything from rattling, close the box, and voila! I've used this a number of times, and the airline and I are both happy. Then I can dispense with the trouble and nonsense of loading and unloading magazines. When I get to the other end, no hassle loading my gun(s).

Also, I use a $5 plastic gun box with a master lock around the handles. I don't think kit requires anything more serious than that, since a serious burglar would simply take the whole box. The locking requirement is not really about safety or security. It is just so the airlines and the FAA can tell the public that guns are locked up.

[jimlongley]

Any lockable hard case will be fine. It could be in a soft "gun-rug" type zipper case if that is locked inside a hard suitcase.

"Gun Rugs" do not comply with the requirement for a hard case and if discovered will be dealt with. I have, personally, sent someone off to buy a hard case at a nearby store because they had their gun in a gun rug. WHen the law says hard sided, it means hard sided.

Or a hard plastic, locked, gun case such as the one your XD came with will work inside any checked baggage. It doesn't have to be in a pry-bar-proof vault to meet the regulations (though that might help you feel more comfortable), just something that can't be cut open with a knife.

Although a "gun case such as the one your XD came in" does pass as a hard sided lockable case, I wouod not personally recommend it. The one my XD came in has a molded in hinge that is just a fold in the plastic and I can zip that open in a second with a good knife. I would not pack any of my guns that way.

I see that I am cross posting with someone else, so I'll leave it at that.

Don't let us run you off. I think you're the expert on this.[/quote]

Thanks, I just didn't want to be repeating the same stuff someone else was saying.

The airlines can and do have separate rules over and above te Federal regulations, such as limiting the weight of ammo you can carry, and denying you from having ammo in magazines. How they are going to find out is a whole 'nother question, because it is not TSA's job to check THEIR rules. If a particular airline says no ammo packed in magazines, I would call them and find out if they really mean that or if they are just incorrectly parroting the Federal regs, and if they seem to mean it, I would not try to skirt the rule because if they find out you are, you are not going to fly.

And remember, it's not TSA's job to enforce airline rules, but TSA and airline personnel work together a lot and become friends (and more, I can assure you) so that anti-gun TSA screener who sees your gun with loaded magazines could tell his (friend, boyfriend, girlfriend) who is a ticket agent and the next thing you know you are sitting outside watching your plane leave without you.

And don't think that they can't do it, or that they would be violating some right, they are a private enterprise and get to set the rules, within limits, about who or what can travel on their planes. Remember the fuss a couple of years ago about the young lady in the very short skirt and revealing blouse, and the very overweight guy recently. Neither got to fly, that day. (BTW, I have seen shorter skirts go on SW planes, but at least they had underwear on, and that's the "short" version of the story on that one.)

[mgood]

Any lockable hard case will be fine. It could be in a soft "gun-rug" type zipper case if that is locked inside a hard suitcase.

"Gun Rugs" do not comply with the requirement for a hard case and if discovered will be dealt with. I have, personally, sent someone off to buy a hard case at a nearby store because they had their gun in a gun rug. WHen the law says hard sided, it means hard sided.

I understand that the "gun rug" itself is not adequate. But if that is then locked inside a hard suitcase, would that not qualify? The hard suitcase becomes the hard case. I guess my question is does the gun have to be in a hard gun case? Does a gun in a hard suitcase have to be in anything else?

[jimlongley]

Any lockable hard case will be fine. It could be in a soft "gun-rug" type zipper case if that is locked inside a hard suitcase.

"Gun Rugs" do not comply with the requirement for a hard case and if discovered will be dealt with. I have, personally, sent someone off to buy a hard case at a nearby store because they had their gun in a gun rug. WHen the law says hard sided, it means hard sided.

I understand that the "gun rug" itself is not adequate. But if that is then locked inside a hard suitcase, would that not qualify? The hard suitcase becomes the hard case. I guess my question is does the gun have to be in a hard gun case? Does a gun in a hard suitcase have to be in anything else?

Oops, sorry, you're right, a suitable hard suitcase would be adequate, with or without the gun rug.

[striker55]

I traveled to FL from NY one time in the 80's. Gun did not come out on the carasol in FL, I got worried but found out you pick it up in an office. I had it in its own case and they put a banner around it stating that it contained a firearm. On the way back to NY I thought it was a good thing to pick up seperate but in NY it came out on the carasol. Go figure.

[mgood]

. . . they put a banner around it stating that it contained a firearm.

The don't put the "STEAL ME" sign on it any more.

[rdcrags]

I have flown to 4 cities with three airlines, so I have not read the rules of all of the airlines, but I have read the TSA rules a number of times. I am surprised to hear that it is O.K. to have the gun in a hard suitcase but not in a locked gun case. Am I learning something new to me, or is that O.K. for only some airlines?

TX CHL 1007
CO CHL 2005

[mgood]

I am surprised to hear that it is O.K. to have the gun in a hard suitcase but not in a locked gun case.

It is ok in a locked hard suitcase. It is ok in a locked hard gun case.
It must be in a locked hard case of some kind, suitcase or gun case doesn't matter.
A hard gun case inside soft luggage is fine. A soft gun case inside a locked hard suitase is fine. The point is that it must be in a hard case and the hard case must be locked.
Sorry if I added confusion with my above posts.

[chabouk]

I am surprised to hear that it is O.K. to have the gun in a hard suitcase but not in a locked gun case.

It is ok in a locked hard suitcase. It is ok in a locked hard gun case.
It must be in a locked hard case of some kind, suitcase or gun case doesn't matter.
A hard gun case inside soft luggage is fine. A soft gun case inside a locked hard suitase is fine. The point is that it must be in a hard case and the hard case must be locked.
Sorry if I added confusion with my above posts.

And, just to add to the confusion: the gun case must be locked with a non-TSA lock to which only the flyer has the key, while the outer luggage must be locked with a TSA lock.

[Dionadair]

And, just to add to the confusion: the gun case must be locked with a non-TSA lock to which only the flyer has the key, while the outer luggage must be locked with a TSA lock.

I've never had a problem having my gun case locked with a TSA lock. In fact the first time when the TSA agent asked me for my key and I told him it was a TSA lock he replied "even better".

On another note, EVERY time I have flown with a checked firearm I've been flagged for additional screening.

[jimlongley]

And, just to add to the confusion: the gun case must be locked with a non-TSA lock to which only the flyer has the key, while the outer luggage must be locked with a TSA lock.

I've never had a problem having my gun case locked with a TSA lock. In fact the first time when the TSA agent asked me for my key and I told him it was a TSA lock he replied "even better".

On another note, EVERY time I have flown with a checked firearm I've been flagged for additional screening.

TSA rules eliminate TSA locks from consideration for use on gun cases.

TSA locks are NOT a must have on outer luggage, they are merely a convenience for TSA.

TSA locks are opened by a set of master keys that each TSA location has, kept in a sign out lockbox, and some have been lost over time, TSA locks are not any safer than any other lock and may even be less so. As a former TSA agent, I do not use TSA locks.

[JAguirre]

I know that this may have been covered in the previous posts, but I flew to San Francisco (flew SWA) in January and I took my XD. I took it in the original hard case, took 1 box of 20 Speer Gold Dots in the original box, and stuffed it in the XD hard case. Put a $2 Masterlock on it. Put the entire hard case in my large rolling soft suitcase, and put a TSA lock on it. When I got to the airport, I just declared that I had a firearm, had to fill out a paper (name, addy, destination) and then had to take my suitcase and paper to TSA. TSA official asked me to open the case, and verify that pistol was unloaded. I had a cable lock on it. He checked the mags, and placed a red and white tag on the suitcase. The whole process was simple and painless. Now, it was 4am at the Austin airport on a Friday morning, but I thought it was relatively simple.

When I got to SF, suitcase came down the carousel just like every other time Ive flown. I retrieved my suitcase and left. No problems, no hassle, and none in the Communist Republic of California were the wiser.

Hope this helps.

[Dusty Harry]

I have over a million miles with AA and fly all the time w/gun. Definitely contact the carrier you are traveling with at the airpoirt where you are going to check-in to make sure you understand their specific requirements beyond those of the TSA. An inexperienced ticket agent who doesn't know the drill is your most likely issue. Give yourself a half-hour extra over and above normal checked baggage arrival. I do the 'hard case within a hard case' approach (yes, a TSA lock on the suitcase), and 20 rds of ammo in factory box, and never have a problem. I would suggest you not rush in to the nearest airport restroom to get heavy and load up a mag - depending on the local laws, that could send you up river a long time, even if you are outside of security. The folks in Colorado are nice, I think you'll make to a gas station before a shootout - unless your in-law is really up tight.