TexasCHLforum.com

Houston1944 wrote:DMG - I agree with your statements. That's how it was when I last flew with firearms. It caught me off guard that NWA actually stated that TSA would probably open the case.

Suarez International Update wrote:FLYING WITH A GUN - GABRIEL SUAREZ

I get many calls about students who want to come to class but are afraid of flying with their guns. Listen guys, take advantage of every training opportunity as we don't know what is coming up for this nation in the next couple of years. I can see Hillary the Witch or Obama Bin Ladin trying to regulate everything...including "Military Style Assault Training".

So here is what you do. Get a nice lockable Pelican type case and get a couple of TSA locks. Get another set for you actual luggage. I know, I know...TSA could theoretically steal your gun. It has never happened to me since TSA has been in business.

When you check in, do not act nervous and practice what you will say. Act like you do this weekly and like you own the place. Tell the lady you have "AN UNLOADED FIREARM TO DECLARE". She will probably give you a slip and not ask again about it, or she will ask to see it. (least likely of all).

When she asks if you have any ammo, she means "IN THE BAG WITH THE GUN". Put it in a nice safe place in the factory box. You should not be flying with anything more than your street meat ammo anyway. Ammoman.com and other companies will ship your ammo ahead for you, or make arangements to get it on scene when you arrive..

Again, TSA locks all around to avoid delays. When you walk the bag over to TSA, tell the TSA guy that you have "AN ULOADED AND DECLARED FIREARM" in it. It will go to the front of the line and when its cleared you will be on your way. They may want to look inside. They open my bags about 1/3 of the time.

Simple.

A keynote - don't try to be the super-helpful nice guy and volunteer all kinds of information, or ask too many questions. If you ask any querstions of a government employee the answer will always be "NO". Keep that in mind.. Keep your trap shut, answer the questions you are asked...exactly those questions - as they are asked - and nothing else.

Save the gun tag for the return flight and simply ask the attendant on the retrun flight that you "NEED ANOTHER TAG" for the bag in question to minimize explanations. Act like you know what you are doing and have done it 10,000 times and it will go very easy.

Have a nice trip...see you in class.

Ammunition - Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section.

Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our Firearms & Ammunition section.

Traveling with Special Items
Firearms & Ammunition

You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns.

The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are:

You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.

• The firearm must be unloaded.
  The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
  The container must be locked.
  We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
  You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
  You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
  You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
  You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.