Holy Moly: gun found in passengers carryon at IAH

[WildBill]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

[WildBill]

I've heard of ray guns, black powder guns, long guns, hand guns, big guns, and rail guns.......but I've never heard of a Holy Moly gun. What's it look like?

[CoffeeNut]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

If you get authorized by your department to take the course, and pass it along with the other qualifications I don't see how they'd have a problem with you taking your gun with you. Actually after taking the course they might have a problem with you not doing so considering some departments mandate that off-duty you're to be armed. Why the cynicism?

[nightmare69]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

If you get authorized by your department to take the course, and pass it along with the other qualifications I don't see how they'd have a problem with you taking your gun with you. Actually after taking the course they might have a problem with you not doing so considering some departments mandate that off-duty you're to be armed. Why the cynicism?

I plan on taking the 2hr course cause I fly once a year or so, be nice to be able to carry. Thanks to the LEO safe act I will also be able to carry in all 50 states, this will be nice when I visit friends in New York.

[WildBill]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

If you get authorized by your department to take the course, and pass it along with the other qualifications I don't see how they'd have a problem with you taking your gun with you. Actually after taking the course they might have a problem with you not doing so considering some departments mandate that off-duty you're to be armed. Why the cynicism?

The OP stated in order to carry on an airplane, he was told that he needed a letter from the chief or sheriff and the pilot allowed it. KeithB stated that was not true. A department mandating that off-duty officers be armed would not apply to places prohibited by Federal law. At the present time, the OP is not an LEO so he doesn't have a department to authorize anything. I suspect that an LEO must have a legal and a compelling reason to carry on an airplane. I have read that Federal Air Marshalls have to take a seven week course to be qualified to carry on an airplane, so I find a 2 hour course hard to fathom. After he is employed as an LEO and has the authorization and takes the class the OP can post his experiences.

I do admit my cynicism.

[CoffeeNut]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

If you get authorized by your department to take the course, and pass it along with the other qualifications I don't see how they'd have a problem with you taking your gun with you. Actually after taking the course they might have a problem with you not doing so considering some departments mandate that off-duty you're to be armed. Why the cynicism?

The OP stated in order to carry on an airplane, he was told that he needed a letter from the chief or sheriff and the pilot allowed it. KeithB stated that was not true. A department mandating that off-duty officers be armed would not apply to places prohibited by Federal law. At the present time, the OP is not an LEO so he doesn't have a department to authorize anything. I suspect that an LEO must have a legal and a compelling reason to carry on an airplane. After he is employed as an LEO and has the authorization and takes the class the OP can post his experiences.

I do admit my cynicism.

He also said he was sure there was more to it and that he didn't know which to me seems like he wanted additional information. True a departments mandate doesn't trump federal prohibitions but the prohibition on airplane carry would be gone once the officer meets all of the requirements therefore my statement may stand as is (feel free to post your experiences after you become an LEO, get the authorization and take the class). No the OP is not a LEO but he didn't say he was and he was merely asking for information. "I suspect that an LEO must have a legal and a compelling reason to carry on an airplane" that is purely your speculation because according to the TSA you only need to meet a few requirements and according to a poster here (also the OP in question) who is in a police academy - it's only a two hour course. If an LEO needed a "legal and compelling reason" to take his/her weapon with them then we wouldn't have a law in place which lets them carry in all 50 states.

*made some edits)

[WildBill]

He also said he was sure there was more to it and that he didn't know which to me seems like he wanted additional information. True a departments mandate doesn't trump federal prohibitions but the prohibition on airplane carry would be gone once the officer meets all of the requirements therefore my statement may stand as is (feel free to post your experiences after you become an LEO, get the authorization and take the class). No the OP is not a LEO but he didn't say he was and he was merely asking for information. "I suspect that an LEO must have a legal and a compelling reason to carry on an airplane" that is purely your speculation because according to the TSA you only need to meet a few requirements and according to a poster here (also the OP in question) who is in a police academy - it's only a two hour course. If an LEO needed a "legal and compelling reason" to take his/her weapon with them then we wouldn't have a law in place which lets them carry in all 50 states. *made some edits)

You make some compelling arguments.

Yes the OP wanted more information. Clearly he did not get the correct information from his police academy instructor. Therefore, some of my cynicism.

A letter or permission or a policy to carry off duty by the Police Chief or Sherriff would be valid and enforceable only within their jurisdiction.

I believe that an interstate flight is governed by Federal laws, so any law that allowed LEOs to carry in the 50 states is not applicable on an interstate flight.

If the TSA states that a two hour course for LEOs allows them to carry on an airplane, that is fine with me.

Once they land, there may be a law that allows LEO to carry in all 50 states, but I don't think that applies to carry in places prohibited under Federal law.

For example, an LEO could not carry in the White House unless the Secret Service allowed it [very doubtful, IMO. Even if they had a legal and compelling reason.]

I realize that Washington D.C. is not a state, but I believe that the law would apply to all Federal property.


I would like to hear from any of the LEOs on the forum if they have carried on commercial airline flights.

[CoffeeNut]

You make some compelling arguments.

Yes the OP wanted more information. Clearly he did not get the correct information from his instructor. Therefore, some of my cynicism.

A letter or permission or a policy to carry off duty by the Police Chief or Sherriff would be valid and enforceable only within their jurisdiction.

I believe that an interstate flight is governed by Federal laws, so any law that allowed LEOs to carry in the 50 states is not applicable on an airplane.

If the TSA states that a two hour course for LEOs allows them to carry on an airplane, that is fine with me.

There may be a law that allows LEO to carry in all 50 states, but I don't think that applies to carry in places prohibited under Federal law.

For example, an LEO could not carry in the White House unless the Secret Service allowed it [very doubtful, IMO].

I would like to hear from any of the LEOs on the forum if they have carried on commercial airline flights.

I'd like some feedback from LEOs as well.

I wasn't stating that the Safe Act allowed for airline carry or an exemption to every other federal gun law I was simply using that as a response to one of your statements. While the Safe Act provides a means to carry legally in 50 states it limits your options in getting to a state/s while carrying your gun. Obviously this course and set of requirements changes that a bit.

"I believe that an interstate flight is governed by Federal laws, so any law that allowed LEOs to carry in the 50 states is not applicable on an airplane." This is irrelevant because TSA (Homeland Security) set up the additional course so that LEOs can, if they choose/need, carry on an airline within the US. The Safe Act has nothing to do with the separate policy of TSA/Homeland.

Also the TSA Website states this:

"State, Local, Territorial, Tribal, and approved Railroad LEOs flying armed must submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) message prior to travel. The NLETS message replaces the Original Letter of Authority, commonly referred to as the “Chief’s Letter.” Failure to use the NLETS message will result in denial to the sterile area for failure to comply with the “Letter of Authority.” More information on this procedure is contained in the training program.

The Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed training is a 1.5 to 2 hour block of instruction that is comprised of a structured lesson plan, slide presentation, FAQs, NLETS procedures, and applicable codes of federal regulation. This material is provided to Federal, State, Local, Territorial, Tribal, and approved Railroad Law Enforcement agencies and departments to properly instruct their officers on the subject of flying on board commercial aircraft while armed. The training includes protocols in the handling of prohibited items, prisoner transport, and dealing with an act of criminal violence aboard an aircraft.

Their website also states:

"In addition to the above requirements, the officer must need to have the weapon accessible from the time he or she would otherwise check the weapon until the time it would be claimed after deplaning. The need to have the weapon accessible must be determined by the employing agency, department, or service and be based on one of the following:

The provision of protective duty, for instance, assigned to a principal or advance team, or on travel required to be prepared to engage in a protective function.
The conduct of a hazardous surveillance operation.
On official travel required to report to another location, armed and prepared for duty.
Employed as a Federal LEO, whether or not on official travel, and armed in accordance with an agency-wide policy governing that type of travel established by the employing agency by directive or policy statement.
Control of a prisoner, in accordance with Title 49 CFR § 1544.221, or an armed LEO on a round trip ticket returning from escorting, or traveling to pick up a prisoner."

Based on leaves a lot of leeway with several of those. Again I'd like to here from LEOs if they've ever tested the waters. I know that when my uncle visited a month ago, he's an Ohio LEO, he had to have his firearm, cuffs and his creds (read: prepared for duty) even though he was off duty and on vacation.

Putting it under the plane seems like an easier course of action but if we want armed people in our stationary schools then why not in our people carrying missiles?

[jbarn]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

Not if done within regs.

[jbarn]

Can LEOs carry on a US flight if they have a letter from their chief or sheriff and the pilot allows it? I'm sure there is more too it that I don't know.

Nope. Only ones I have ever seen were Federal agents (air marshalls, FBI, secret service, ICE, etc.)

Carrying a firearm on an airplane is a fast and efficient way to become an ex-LEO.

You meet the qualifications from TSA you can carry. See above link.

Let me know how it works out for you.

I know LEO's that have carried on commercial aircraft, and recently. Generally they have to be "on official duty", but they can and do carry.

[jbarn]

He

I believe that an interstate flight is governed by Federal laws, so any law that allowed LEOs to carry in the 50 states is not applicable on an interstate flight.

What type of law do you think "governs" LEO's carrying in all 50 states? Federal.

.

[ShootDontTalk]

While it has little to do with the OP's question, a friend of mine who served many years in a branch of the Navy told me he regularly carried enough ordinance and weapons on commercial airlines to take out a small city. In fact before I retired my department was involved with a suspected terrorist who was caught with explosives in his luggage. While it made national headlines for a day or two, the case evaporated very suddenly and the "suspect" was set free in the dead of night. His place of residence was listed as Fort Bragg, NC. Makes me feel better about flying??

[philip964]

Corrected the title with some punctuation.

IAH seems more forgiving than Dallas or lets say New York City.

But irregardless, you need to be careful and know where your weapons are.