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I have never traveled by air with a weapon. What do I need to do to check in lugage with my guns? Does anyone have any experience with this?
I will be flying to VA. and driving to PA. and WV. Any advice would be appreciated .

Thank You,
Mike

As an instructor my recommendation is to call Southwest and find out their exact policy on how to properly transport, and then check for reciprocity in this States.

correction check for reiciprocity in the States you will be traveling. Not "this" State. (Typo, not enough coffee yet)

If one of those states do not honor TXCHL, then you can always "TRANSPORT" your firearm right?... meaning, locked in the same box you used in the airplane.
Just like when I have to pass through CA, before I enter CA statel ine, I pull over and tuck my gun away.
Just like the person above said, check the airline for updated rules since they do change it all the time.
Also, check if those states have magazine capacity restrictions -- I have to buy 10-round mags mainly because i go to Ca at least 4 times a year and only 10-round mags or less are allowed in CA.

I see that VA and PA have reciprocity with TX but WV does not. There I will have to follow the "Traveling Rules" I assume. I just found the SW Airlines web page at:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/guns.html

mrappe wrote:I have never traveled by air with a weapon. What do I need to do to check in lugage with my guns? Does anyone have any experience with this?
I will be flying to VA. and driving to PA. and WV. Any advice would be appreciated .

Thank You,
Mike

2 notes of caution:

1. Allow a little extra time to clear security, times vary airport to airport and day to day.

2. IF your flight gets diverted to another state (Fog, snow, mechanical issues) such as New York Or New Jersey where handguns are illegal or heavily controled..... DO NOT take possesion of your bag. Make arrangements for the airline to secure it until they get you back to friendly territory.
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/nyc.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I flew to Colorado, SW didn't even blink when I declared a firearm. They handled it very professionally.

74novaman wrote:When I flew to Colorado, SW didn't even blink when I declared a firearm. They handled it very professionally.

I've flown multiple times on SW and never had a problem. They were more concerned at the gate about my little baggie with toothpaste, eye drops, etc.

Sounds like you will probably be landing at Dulles or Ronald Reagan Int'l airports. Virginia and Pennsylvania have reciprocity with Texas, so all you have to do is review the rules of carry in those states and follow them and you will be OK.

Remember that you are very close to DC, so try to avoid going in that area at all costs even if you are just transporting your unloaded and locked up gun. You will also have to pass through Maryland to get to PA, so be sure your gun is unloaded and locked in the trunk when in that state as MD is also not very gun friendly.

WVa does not honor a TX CHL, but you may open carry there. BE CAREFUL if you do, because any visual sighting may draw attention from the local LE. You might consider getting a PA non-resident carry license ($26 and you get it in a few days) since it is accepted in WVa.

Be sure to go to http://www.handgunlaw.us/ to check out the other state laws and to get info on a PA license.

TSA rules on air travel with guns:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SW Airlines"
http://www.southwest.com/html/customer- ... e-pol.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (I think you have to click on the "Guns and Ammunition" tab to the left).


Take note that ONLY YOU must have the key or combo to the hard-sided container that holds your gun(s). DO NOT use a "TSA approved" lock. Everyone in the world has a key to the TSA approved lock, including the TSA.

mrappe wrote:I have never traveled by air with a weapon. What do I need to do to check in lugage with my guns? Does anyone have any experience with this?
I will be flying to VA. and driving to PA. and WV. Any advice would be appreciated .

Thank You,
Mike

My suggestion is a locked box inside locked luggage. The locked box can be a metal center-of-mass type or a plastic gun case with a padlock.

Last time I checked, Texas had reciprocity with VA and PA but not WV, although WV did allow unlicensed open carry in your car. That's another good use for the center-of-mass type of locked box. Check the laws in each state so you know the places that are off limits, and any local quirks.

P.S. Good plan going around not so merry land (nutso Maryland)

This was posted in another thread:

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I read it sometime back and found it very informative.

TSA "Traveling with Special Items" help page here:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I dont think it has been mentioned in this thread - but note rules regarding carrying ammo.

I will be driving into DC a little bit to see the sights but I will have a hotel in VA. Should I leave the guns locked up in the Hotell rm when going to DC?

While you're in VA, open carry a little bit. It's like skinny dipping for the first time!
Just don't OC in Fairfax county....