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Flying With a Handgun #7249991 08/09/18 10:01 AM
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I am going to fly out to West Texas on American Airlines. I have read the rules for carrying a handgun in my checked bag.
Has anyone here done that? If so, was there any inconvenience or delay from the airline or TSA?
Thanks.


Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7249997 08/09/18 10:24 AM
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I have done it, but it was a long time ago. I imagine the only thing that has changed is an increased risk of theft.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250044 08/09/18 11:47 AM
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If it's like flying with a long gun, there's the extra time spent showing the agent the gun is not loaded and showing him or her the ammo is stored separate from the firearm. And of course it had to be in a locked bag or case. The TSA was never involved. Everything was handled at or near the airline check-in counter.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250057 08/09/18 12:02 PM
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I've done it a number of times but not in the last five years. Same experience as what Texas Dan relayed with the rifle, but TSA always looked and the pistol. TSA lock on the back, you control the lock on the pistol.

I flew on Southwest and kept a stack of their cards that are placed in the bag with the gun. I found the airline to be gun friendly, didn't phase them a bit. My flying involved destinations outside of Texas as well. Some places would tell me to "go stand at the TSA sign", off to the side, "and if they don't show in XX minutes, go on through security." It was typically 15 minutes, so I would start the chrongraph on my wristwatch and wait. Usually, they did not come back out with the bag.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texas Dan] #7250063 08/09/18 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
If it's like flying with a long gun, there's the extra time spent showing the agent the gun is not loaded and showing him or her the ammo is stored separate from the firearm. And of course it had to be in a locked bag or case. The TSA was never involved. Everything was handled at or near the airline check-in counter.


The TSA is always involved. Sometimes they pull it off the belt after you have checked it, sometimes you have to take it to a separate TSA check-in location. I actually prefer the latter since you know whether or not there are any issues before you board your flight.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250172 08/09/18 01:29 PM
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Did it a couple of times several years ago. Told the folks at the check-in counter I had a handgun and ammo in my checked baggage. They didn't seem concerned at all. Didn't even want to look at it. I presume it's a bit more of an issue today.

Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250182 08/09/18 01:39 PM
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I have done it several times without any trouble.

Read the airline’s policy online, print it out, and take a copy with you to the airport. Go to the counter and let the agent know you are checking a pistol. They have never batted an eye the times I did it.

At some airports, bag handlers were stealing guns out of bags. Austin had a problem for a while, but they caught the thieves. Because of that problem, I use a separate hard case, which is checked as a bag by itself with its own tracking bar code. There are pros and cons to a separate bag vs. in the bag, but I decided the tracking would make it easier to catch thieves.

Here at the Austin airport, a separate TSA screening spot inspects guns. Stay with the pistol until they finish inspecting it in case the officer needs help opening the action to make sure it is clear. Make sure the ammo is in a mag or crush resistant box. Obviously, make sure it is not loaded.

Also arrive two hours early to make sure there is ample time.


Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250270 08/09/18 02:56 PM
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As my wife works for American and I have been on a few trips with mine, it’s not bad at all. Just make sure you have it in a case with a lock. You will be asked to open and show it and it takes a few minutes to be on your way.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250310 08/09/18 03:29 PM
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I travel with mine all the time. Put gun in hard side locking case, with a lock on the case. . Put ammo in a case that doesn’t allow them to roll around loosely, either original packaging or the those green plastic cases. Go to counter and declare your weapon. Be prepared to open suitcase and show the weapon to the agent, 50% of the time you’ll have to go with a TSA agent and have them further inspect the suitcase and weapon. It’s really not that hard. Takes an additional 15 minutes at most.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250333 08/09/18 03:56 PM
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Agree with everything said above. I’ve only done it once. Had my pistol locked in a pelican 1510 with ammo (in its own reloading style hardcase), binoculars, empty mags, and an extra lock in case TSA decided to cut the ones on it for inspection.

I had no issues - the TSA agent didn’t even want to look at the pistol. Just gave me a declaration form to fill out and place in the locker container.

After my flights, the checked bag came out on the same baggage claim with all the other checked luggage.

From everything I’ve read, it seems like you’re really at the mercy of the baggage check / TSA agent and their mood on that given day.

Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: MeanGreen85] #7250378 08/09/18 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted By: MeanGreen85
From everything I’ve read, it seems like you’re really at the mercy of the baggage check / TSA agent and their mood on that given day.


Definitely not a time to act like a right-wing, in your face, Second Amendment rights person.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250386 08/09/18 04:52 PM
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Also realize that a few states considered ammo in the same container as “loaded”.

Avoid traveling through NY.

But it was very easy in Austin and Denver.

Last edited by Chris42; 08/09/18 04:53 PM.
Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7250406 08/09/18 05:10 PM
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I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..


"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7253393 08/12/18 10:37 PM
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I've flown a few times with handguns recently, even twice to California. I've never been asked to show them the pistol. I had to complete the little red and white cards that they taped to the hard cases. I asked for extras to fill out in advance and was told they aren't allowed to hand out blank ones. That was Southwest and may have been just that agent, though. I have been told to hang out for a few minutes before proceeding to TSA and if they need anything they'll page me. Never been paged.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: snake oil] #7253582 08/13/18 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted By: snake oil
I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..

Can only send it to an FFL.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: snake oil] #7253635 08/13/18 02:11 AM
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Originally Posted By: snake oil
I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..


Please don't follow this advice, wrong, wrong, wrong!

BATFE


Originally Posted by Superduty
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.

Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7253645 08/13/18 02:19 AM
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Quote:
Can only send it to an FFL.


Ship it to yourself via UPS/Fedex. Completely legal.

Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: The Dude Abides] #7253866 08/13/18 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: TXGUNNER308
Originally Posted By: snake oil
I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..


Please don't follow this advice, wrong, wrong, wrong!

BATFE


Ok how in the world can I send it to somebody to get worked on? He is not flying out of state!!

Last edited by snake oil; 08/13/18 01:27 PM.

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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: snake oil] #7254032 08/13/18 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: snake oil
Originally Posted By: TXGUNNER308
Originally Posted By: snake oil
I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..


Please don't follow this advice, wrong, wrong, wrong!

BATFE


Ok how in the world can I send it to somebody to get worked on? He is not flying out of state!!


UPS or Fedex...do your own research before posting.

Just follow the TSA/Airline policies and he will be good to go. I travel with guns all the time (CA, WA, UT, WI, OH & FL). It's actually very easy.


Originally Posted by Superduty
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.

Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: snake oil] #7254035 08/13/18 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted By: snake oil
Ok how in the world can I send it to somebody to get worked on? He is not flying out of state!!

Originally Posted By: TXGUNNER308
Originally Posted By: Mickey Moose
Can only send it to an FFL.


The first of the two you even quoted.

A gunsmith is an FFL.

If you're not comfortable doing that then take it to an FFL (a local gun store) and have them ship it. Though they'll typically charge a small fee (~$25) to send it for you (and to receive if you use them on that end of the transaction too). An FFL can then send directly back to you though.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: The Dude Abides] #7254282 08/13/18 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: TXGUNNER308
Originally Posted By: snake oil
I would insure it and send it USPS to your outfitter or a friend..


Please don't follow this advice, wrong, wrong, wrong!

BATFE


you absolutely can ship firearms. Ships to yourself or in the care of another person. Interstate or Intrastate.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonl...lawful-activity



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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: BuckRage] #7254299 08/13/18 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: BuckRage
you absolutely can. Ships to yourself or in the care of another person. Interstate or Intrastate.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonl...lawful-activity

OP didn't say a friend or outfitter was involved. Maybe they are simply traveling and want to have their carry pistol on the trip but don't want to mess with the airline. So what address does one send it to? I don't have family/friends/appropriate business relationships any where I'm going to ship a gun to. So ya contact a gun store... then what happens? They want to charge a fee. No, not necessarily an FFL transfer fee. Without an "in" how many places will simply receive and hold it until you get there... all for funsies. I don't see them taking the responsibility. Maybe a PO box is acceptable to send to? Well, I don't have one. And they are not free and you'd have to sign up.

Seems we need more info from OP.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Texgun] #7254307 08/13/18 07:17 PM
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Follow the rules. It’s no big deal checking it in luggage.


To be determined
Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: Mickey Moose] #7254319 08/13/18 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mickey Moose
Originally Posted By: BuckRage
you absolutely can. Ships to yourself or in the care of another person. Interstate or Intrastate.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-nonl...lawful-activity

OP didn't say a friend or outfitter was involved. Maybe they are simply traveling and want to have their carry pistol on the trip but don't want to mess with the airline. So what address does one send it to? I don't have family/friends/appropriate business relationships any where I'm going to ship a gun to. So ya contact a gun store... then what happens? They want to charge a fee. No, not necessarily an FFL transfer fee. Without an "in" how many places will simply receive and hold it until you get there... all for funsies. I don't see them taking the responsibility. Maybe a PO box is acceptable to send to? Well, I don't have one. And they are not free and you'd have to sign up.

Seems we need more info from OP.


understand what you're saying but the reasoning given initially for not sending it was because it was illegal which it is not. What, when and how you do it is up to the person. Just putting it out there. I have no dog in the fight.


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Re: Flying With a Handgun [Re: BuckRage] #7254338 08/13/18 07:40 PM
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BuckRage, I gotcha. Just challenging for thought. I'm always game to learn something. I think there are enough solid responses that OP can take the ball and run at this point... or take their gun and fly. Heh.


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