Flying with firearms - new TSA hard case rules

[hermosabeach]

This will or should impact zero members, but TSA is tired of their employees stealing firearms
Now all firearms will need to be in rigid hard shell cases with NON TSA locks

TSA “Refines” Rules! – Defense Training International

defense-training.com

 

[hermosabeach]

As of this month, TSA is now requiring that all guns within hard or soft checked baggage be contained within aseparate, hard, locked case. The separate hard case containing the guns(s) themselves must be locked, and when locked, not easily pried open.
—
Factory pistol cases are not strong enough

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

www.tsa.gov

 

[LawnMM]

Your first link doesn't mention locks being non TSA only and the second link specifically says you can use TSA locks.

 

[TheHorta]

If I'm reading it correctly, you CANNOT have loaded magazines, because "You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition." In most mags, the top round is partially exposed (unless you have Pmag covers, or something similar), so you'll need to have your gun completely unloaded (no rounds in gun at all, not just in chamber), and your mags likewise need to be unloaded. ALL ammo must be boxed in some ammo-specific packaging (like the original box it came in) and packed separately inside the same (or different) Pelican-style hard case with a REAL lock(s).

 

[MK20]

loaded mags have always been ok for me.
Never had any problems.

 

[MadDuner]

It’s government.
Clear and concise instructions are not ever going to be provided.
And no matter what we think they say or mean - we’re wrong because the government employee that’s handling your stuff thinks it says something else.

 

[deersniper]

Hmm 14 hour drive or deal with the TSA welfare primates.

If people didn’t have to fly for work that invasive crap and dealing with welfare shit heads would have stopped because most would voluntarily not deal with that

 

[sea2summit]

I have always run a bike cable through my guns and locked it with a separate lock often firmly affixed to the case so they’d have to monkey fuck it pretty hard to get away with one. Also always travel with the largest case possible with the thought that it’s harder to hide in a corner and get the guns out where a supervisor, who may not give two fucks anyway, can’t see.

Worst thing Bush did was create TSA. Same rags now federally over paid.

 

[deersniper]

I have always run a bike cable through my guns and locked it with a separate lock often firmly affixed to the case so they’d have to monkey fuck it pretty hard to get away with one. Also always travel with the largest case possible with the thought that it’s harder to hide in a corner and get the guns out where a supervisor, who may not give two fucks anyway, can’t see.

Worst thing Bush did was create TSA. Same rags now federally over paid.

Worst? Prolly the “patriot” act

 

[sea2summit]

Worst? Prolly the “patriot” act

hmmm. I don’t think that was his idea but I was a little too hot and dirty to care about it a the time. He did sign though so I’ll concede maybe TSA is #2.

 

[BrienM]

Hopefully not a silly question : Can I put my airline approved locked pistol case inside one of my other suitcases and declare it that way or does it have to be its own checked bag (gun case alone)?

 

[Keel Haul]

Hopefully not a silly question : Can I put my airline approved locked pistol case inside one of my other suitcases and declare it that way or does it have to be its own checked bag (gun case alone)?

I’ve converted ammo cans into my pistol cases and put that locked container into a regular checked bag and it’s never been an issue before.

 

[D_TROS]

Hopefully not a silly question : Can I put my airline approved locked pistol case inside one of my other suitcases and declare it that way or does it have to be its own checked bag (gun case alone)?

All weapons must be declared and in separate case then checked baggage. They will take it to a separate room and x-ray it.

One airline Ive flown to have done the pencil test (which is absurd to me) but if they can stick a pencil in the case through the gap on an opened latch but locked case, you have to get more locks or seal it somehow (ie one lock on ea end). Only one airport is that strict. but all require locks on both ends at a min and most quality cases will pass the pencil test. I cant remember where it was. Ive flown with weapons over 50 times.

I usually put boxed ammo in rifle case and checked bag both. Ive had my ammo taken from my checked bag in DIA once because to their definition the ammo was in a package not designed for ammo storage. It was in a ammo pouch. I reccommend hard ammo cases separating the bullets from touching for best luck.

and only 11 lbs of ammo...but i have never been weighed other than over seas.

Follow those rules you should be gtg.
GL
DT

 

[BrienM]

@Keel Haul How recent? I haven't flown with a gun for long time. We Usually drive so don't have to worry but i'm flying this time.

 

[D_TROS]

I’ve converted ammo cans into my pistol cases and put that locked container into a regular checked bag and it’s never been an issue before.

Did they take the whole checked bag to the separate room to xray it?

I would not chance it. But that seems like it would be ok. Make sure its locked...

GL
DT

 

[davsco]

Hopefully not a silly question : Can I put my airline approved locked pistol case inside one of my other suitcases and declare it that way or does it have to be its own checked bag (gun case alone)?

what i've heard is to put it inside a suitcase and run a cable thru it to your suitcase handle or the like making it that much harder to walk away with the pistol case.

 

[Jgunner]

Well, doesn’t change anything for me. I do hate running into the tsa tards who don’t know their own policy. Cause then i gotta explain it to em. They almost always looked stoned.

 

[Harleystoo]

Every State and every airport is different in the way they handle firearms.

 

[clcustom1911]

I've flown so many times with firearms without issue. UNLOADED firearms, Pelican case, Master Locks. Even the old TSA instructions were pretty clear to me about having REAL locks, not bullshit TSA locks. Ammo is always hit or miss. San Antonio TX needs to be in some bullshit box within the case (not in magazines, everywhere else I've gone through is OK with it being in magazines as "containers designed to hold ammunition".

But, be on the safe side, have your ammo in either a factory cardboard box or reloading box thats not bouncing around inside the case and you should be fine.

Just fucking read. Its nothing meant to trick you or stump you.

"You may use any brand lock, including TSA-recognized locks"

I've used Master Lock for years and never had an issue.

 

[timbrline]

I fly with a weapon all the time. TSA and even worse, the desk agents you first encounter you declare your weapon, are mostly incompetent... at best.

I keep a printed version of the current policy with weapon, lock and Ammo transport rules highlighted.

Dont have alot of trouble honestly, and never use it as a “challenge”, which will result in immediate pushback. It has helped though. The entire thing is half a page.... it helps to just say...”ohh... I’m sorry, I thought I was in compliance since it says here ammunition may be stored in the magazine like i have it” Or did anyway.

 

[timbrline]

They did update it, just grabbed directly from TSA. It does say clearly. Loaded mags are allowed except they are not allowed and you can transport loaded or unloaded in the same hard case except if they are loaded...

WTF...??

latest from tsa..

 

[BrienM]

Thanks for the information! I read all of the TSA info on flying with guns.. I was only curious if it had to be alone in it's own bag or if I could combine it inside another checked bag. Last time I flew with a gun was to Colorado springs in 1992 ish..

 

[timbrline]

According to the instructions you must have a live chimpanzees with an IL FOID card securing your firearm if it’s in half load status, locked with a lock that both is and is not a TSA lock who has and does not have ammunition that he has rubbed on the slide of your pistol and he must be inside the case with and without the Ammo he does and does not have but with a TSA approved and accessible breathing tube...

shit... I used plastic breathing tubes for my TSA weapons escort monkey and they are considered “straws” and are illegal in 7 states...

 

[timbrline]

BrienM- seriously.. any handguns I always put in a solid pelican and put inside my checked bag. Long Guns go through as their own checked bag.

that’s pretty standard.

 

[timbrline]

...but they get so dicked up. My team was flying commercial, on orders... pelican cases for all weapons... two m4’s and pistols per case. Double locked with master locks. 26 of us headed to the bad place.

TSA got confused, made us all buy TSA approved locks. We had to run all through the airport buying 26 (2x13 cases) for an hour.
No amount of logic or reason would convince the half dozen idiots...

 

[Keel Haul]

Did they take the whole checked bag to the separate room to xray it?

I would not chance it. But that seems like it would be ok. Make sure its locked...

GL
DT

Harley is correct, each airport is different. Where I’m flying from now the machine is right in the open. They scan it and if it clears it goes down the belt to the dungeon. Where I was before you sent the whole bag down after the declaration and you had to wait ten minutes or so and if they didn’t call you, you were clear and if they needed it open, they had you there standing by with the keys. It’s usually a mix between those two. I work for an airline as my day job so I travel a bit with firearms.

 

[BrienM]

I called the airport i'll be flying out of and they didnt act like any big deal. Lock the guncase, put it inside checked bag and declare it of course... no problem.. Fingers crossed...

 

[1moaoff]

I use tsa locks but keep a complete non tear lock set in the case... along with some 4' cable ties. When checking in if they dont like it when they check it i can adapt.

 

[BrienM]

I use tsa locks but keep a complete non tear lock set in the case... along with some 4' cable ties. When checking in if they dont like it when they check it i can adapt.

Twice someone mentions cable ties.. use them as empty chamber indicator?

 

[Redmanss]

I just drive them these days, and anywhere outside of driving distance short of international travel where I'm not taking them anyways doesn't interest me anymore.

 

[BytorJr]

I've flown so many times with firearms without issue. UNLOADED firearms, Pelican case, Master Locks. Even the old TSA instructions were pretty clear to me about having REAL locks, not bullshit TSA locks. Ammo is always hit or miss. San Antonio TX needs to be in some bullshit box within the case (not in magazines, everywhere else I've gone through is OK with it being in magazines as "containers designed to hold ammunition".

But, be on the safe side, have your ammo in either a factory cardboard box or reloading box thats not bouncing around inside the case and you should be fine.

Just fucking read. Its nothing meant to trick you or stump you.

"You may use any brand lock, including TSA-recognized locks"

I've used Master Lock for years and never had an issue.

View attachment 7409238

Last I flew with firearm many years ago, I had MASTER locks (as I've stated before, my previous experience prior to that by the time I got to my destination the locks were gone (TSA) but firearm thankfully there. The time before the last time I also had TSA locks and the man at the American counter basically said..."YOU sir are a fool flying with TSA locks." Just stay by the screening area until they are done. If they need key they will ask.

So the last time I flew, sure enough, they wanted it unlocked. Handed them key, opened, closed, no problem. Problem is the TSA locks do not lock unless they reset the key/spin the combo or something and that's why the disappear at times (like mine did). A real lock has a detent that allows it to "lock." My experience anyway.

Fly with real lock!!

 

[Redmanss]

Fly with real lock!!

Agreed, and the "real lock" I recommend is an Abloy brand lock. Short of a grinder (nothing defeats a grinder) or the key, these aren't coming open.

 

[Mike Islander]

No changes for me. I always bring TSA locks in my carry-on in case Idiocy wins out. So far never happened, but I'm usually traveling to airports frequented by gun toting passengers.

 

[BytorJr]

Agreed, and the "real lock" I recommend is an Abloy brand lock. Short of a grinder (nothing defeats a grinder) or the key, these aren't coming open.

Well, I'm a fan of overkill on things; but that may do it for me. At that point, they'd just hole saw through a Pelican . That said, I have a few gates I need to secure and THAT looks like the ticket!!

 

[Mike Islander]

Agreed, and the "real lock" I recommend is an Abloy brand lock. Short of a grinder (nothing defeats a grinder) or the key, these aren't coming open.

Got four matched key Abloys specifically for flying. I put two on my Pelican and carry two in carry-on, in case Idiocy occurs and they want 4 locks on the Pelican.

Why carry two extra locks instead of putting them on the case? In case idiocy occurs and they grind my two locks off for some reason. I'll have two Abloys ready to replace them and the key around my neck will fit them.

 

[Redmanss]

Well, I'm a fan of overkill on things; but that may do it for me. At that point, they'd just hole saw through a Pelican . That said, I have a few gates I need to secure and THAT looks like the ticket!!

They're also well known to be some of the most pick resistant padlocks in the world.

 

[BytorJr]

Got four matched key Abloys specifically for flying. I put two on my Pelican and carry two in carry-on, in case Idiocy occurs and they want 4 locks on the Pelican.

Why carry two extra locks instead of putting them on the case? In case idiocy occurs and they grind my two locks off for some reason. I'll have two Abloys ready to replace them and the key around my neck will fit them.

How did you order them matched - direct? I have no doubt the Abloys are bad ass since they make most of the classified container locks. My dad used to order blocks of like 50 Master locks back in the day all keyed alike.

 

[davsco]

Twice someone mentions cable ties.. use them as empty chamber indicator?

wrap around gun case handle for evidence of it being opened up (obviously you'd want to use an oddball size/color so it can't be easily replaced). perhaps to secure the handgun case inside your luggage to the internal frame, though i'd use a cable & lock for that. i would use an actual ECI just to avoid any confusion over unloaded.

 

[Redmanss]

How did you order them matched - direct? I have no doubt the Abloys are bad ass since they make most of the classified container locks. My dad used to order blocks of like 50 Master locks back in the day all keyed alike.

Grainger has them.

 

[wpeach1912]

Resurrecting the thread for another flying related question. I'm flying to Chicago soon and would like to take my P320 compact (15 rd mags). Good ole Chicago/Cook County has a 10 round magazine capacity limit. Does the federal pass through law apply or would I just have to hope they don't open the case in Chicago?

 

[_Windrider_]

To my knowledge nothing has changed since I did this

Airline Travel With Firearms - A Reference

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this post is current as of 2/1/2020. It is YOUR responsibility to check and double check with the airline you are traveling on, as well as check the TSA website, to verify and understand the most current and up to date policies. I am not responsible for...

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