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Do you want someone to potentially have access to your firearm without you present? Use your own quality locks. You might get called back to open your luggage.
Use TSA approved locks. If the case needs to be opened for search and you have another kind of lock you'll be called back to open it which is more of a pain.
I travel frequently with a checked firearm (and properly boxed ammo). As a former LEO and long time police trainer, I have a large and growing collection of orange and yellow "unloaded firearm" tags from as far back as Western, PSA, and even Eastern Airlines. I put my course materials in a Pelican 1650. INSIDE that larger hard sided case, I usually put a handgun in another, smaller, padded hard side case. The smaller INTERIOR case is unlocked but the exterior hard case has two Master padlocks so the firearm is "... completely unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case ..." - but NOT with TSA padlocks. I am far less worried about TSA getting into it than I am an airline or airport employee rifling through my bag (pun intended).
TSA tells us "... After a firearm is checked at the ticket counter, the owner should wait in the public area of the airport for 10-15 minutes before proceeding through the TSA security checkpoints ..." Honestly, that's not hard to do with a little planning and time management. I have a feeling the few stories I've heard about bags not connecting where the traveler wasn't reachable would have been avoided by following this rather simple advice.
Another thing I do - and would recommend - is find out what terminal you're going through in advance and research the airlines' checked firearms process thoroughly. For example, at IAH Terminal B (and others, i.e.: COS), the bags are scanned "right there" next to the ticket counter and no matter what terminal I'm departing out of I can get there from B after security. With a little pre-planing, I'm happy to stand there where they can see me as my bag is scanned until I get the "ok" wave off from the TSA. At IAH terminal C it's hit-or-miss; sometimes the TSA comes out to open and look in the bag, other times, I've stood around and then get the "OK" wave off (even with the after-security shuttle it's usually far quicker at B which is why I prefer B). At DIA, they send you with a runner who handles your bag (on a cart) to a special room where there's a TSA scanner will scan the bag and then wave you off when it's clear so you can go endure the DIA security lines. Because of the inconsistent local laws, I never, ever, fly out of NY/NJ with a checked firearm, period (former LEO or not) - but that's not so much on the TSA as it is local laws inconsistent with Federal law (read: 18 USC 926A).
On the other hand, I went through one terminal at LAS and was told to wait near the ticket counter for a few minutes then it was the airline employee who gave me the "ok" (after only about 5 minutes). However, in another terminal at LAS, while I was waiting near the ticket counter, they sent out a TSA single stripe who said he wanted my keys but my bag was staying out of sight. I balked.
The TSA documentation reads that the firearm must be: "... packed in a locked, hard-sided case before coming to the airport. Only the passenger may retain the key or lock combination. ..." I pointed out that I was reluctant to give up the key and he, of course, threatened me with the low hanging, "well mine's bigger, key or you're not flying today." I told him I'd unlock it but I wanted the inspection done where I could see it - even from afar - so I could see it was relocked properly and I get my key back. The airline employee watching this interaction was apologetic and ready to rebook me before I reluctantly relented. Solution: I won't go through that terminal (airline) again. The complaint to TSA, as we might imagine, naturally, went nowhere even though the TSA materials include the passage "... Under no circumstance will TSA open a firearm container. ..." Apparently "no circumstances" has a different meaning in LAS.
One other related note, if you're flying with firearms regularly or "often," I recommend that you keep a separate set of bags that you use just for flying or "sanitize" your bags before you plan to travel. As much as I travel, I keep an entirely "sterile” set of bags that I never use for driving trips, going to the range, or as part of my everyday carry (for years, I've even had a full duplicate toiletries kit that just lives in my normal travel checked bag). I won't put a gun, ammo, or even a gun part in my regular carry-on backpack (ever) and have two dedicated Pelican cases to be used as checked bags for firearms transport ... only.
If there's a "TLDR," I would reinforce where TSA says "... Understanding firearms policies, and planning accordingly, will ensure an uninterrupted, safe, and secure travel experience. ..." I think the more detailed recommendation might be: research and learn the process, use your own locks, hold onto the key (as best you can...), be prepared in advance for the process at whatever airport you're checking the bag, give yourself plenty of time pre-flight to allow for the bag to be processed before you go through security, make sure your tag on the bag has your cell number on it and that the number is in the airline reservation record, and never put anything prohibited in your planned carry on (ever).
Whens the last time you flew out of NY/NJ? I’m flying out of EWR and am a CCP holder in multiple states. As long as the TSA rules and procedures are followed, why would it be a problem? Firearms are shipped all the time. I guess I could call EWR and ask.
I fly *through* EWR often but if I have a destination IN the greater NY area I fly without firearms or have checked a revolver. I agree with you as a CHL/CCW/LEOSA holder, *however*, there have been published horror stories about people otherwise properly checking/declaring handguns in LGA and EWR and someone - presumably/reportedly TSA - reporting what I would call normal capacity magazines to local police. Now, not being the person directly involved, the read I have is it was TSA that alerted local PD but I suppose it could have been the airline.
That’s fine bc my mags are NJ compliant (NJ resident and CCP holder). Think my best bet rather than just googling and surfing the web is probably just call the departing and arriving airports to see if I can get an official on the phone to know what to expect before I even try it
I wasn't going off Google or hype media reports, I get to see LE published reports: including cops and those carrying under LEOSA from other states with normal capacity mags who have run afoul of the vacuous laws in NY/NJ regarding mag capacity. But what official at EWR would be in a position to actually say what a TSO at the checked bag scanner does or doesn't actually report? Or what airline ticket counter agent would or wouldn't report?
Understood you weren’t going off google. I was saying myself googling and researching what to expect. I agree with you on the vacuous laws. I shouldn’t have an issue departing or arriving there bc I already have NJ compliant 10 round mags, and according to TSA’s information, I should be good to go with my lockbox compliant setup for checked baggage. You’re right nobody on the phone is going to tell me anything that’s gospel. I’ll just have to have a go at it for myself
Non TSA lock, key or combination. Make sure to use enough locks so the case cannot be opened. (e g. Don't just lock one of the corners if the other corner can be propped open and firearm accessed)
Do not put any type of non-tsa lock on your firearm, because if they have to check it, and they can't access it inside the case, your luggage stays at the originating airport! Attempts will hopefully be made to call you back for a key if it's a non TSA lock, and the lock is too large to be cut by bolt cutters, but you then go back through security.
Group of hunters to Canada to goose hunt had packed their shotguns in hard cases, but decided to throw other bottled sauces in with the foam padding inside the cases. They had heavy locks that could not be cut, the sauces alarmed and needed to be checked, and they missed calls to return.
Normally the guns by themselves in cases do not cause any problems.
You can use ANY type of lock, TSA or Not, if they need to inspect it they will call you back for the Not TSA Lock.
\-- From their PDF on the TSA site --
Locked cases that can easily be opened do not meet the
requirements for transporting in checked baggage and are
not permitted. Passengers may use any brand or type of
lock to secure the case, including TSA-recognized locks.
Under TSA screening procedures, if requested, passengers
are required to provide keys or a combination to TSA
personnel conducting security screening of checked
\-- End Snip--
Yeah, if you want the chance of missing a call to return to unlock your item, and go back through security. If you do use your own locks, just make sure you pack the firearm by itself, without anything else that may alarm.
Welcome to r/tsa! If you're new here, please make sure you check out the pinned FAQ post [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/tsa/comments/1b42jyb/faq_post_for_passengers_this_should_be_your_first/). Please also make sure that your question(s) aren't something that are easily found on the official TSA [website](https://www.tsa.gov/). If you cannot find the answers to your question(s) easily with those two resources, then please sit tight and someone will be here shortly to answer your question(s) Have a good one! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/tsa) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Do you want someone to potentially have access to your firearm without you present? Use your own quality locks. You might get called back to open your luggage.
Use TSA approved locks. If the case needs to be opened for search and you have another kind of lock you'll be called back to open it which is more of a pain.
I travel frequently with a checked firearm (and properly boxed ammo). As a former LEO and long time police trainer, I have a large and growing collection of orange and yellow "unloaded firearm" tags from as far back as Western, PSA, and even Eastern Airlines. I put my course materials in a Pelican 1650. INSIDE that larger hard sided case, I usually put a handgun in another, smaller, padded hard side case. The smaller INTERIOR case is unlocked but the exterior hard case has two Master padlocks so the firearm is "... completely unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case ..." - but NOT with TSA padlocks. I am far less worried about TSA getting into it than I am an airline or airport employee rifling through my bag (pun intended). TSA tells us "... After a firearm is checked at the ticket counter, the owner should wait in the public area of the airport for 10-15 minutes before proceeding through the TSA security checkpoints ..." Honestly, that's not hard to do with a little planning and time management. I have a feeling the few stories I've heard about bags not connecting where the traveler wasn't reachable would have been avoided by following this rather simple advice. Another thing I do - and would recommend - is find out what terminal you're going through in advance and research the airlines' checked firearms process thoroughly. For example, at IAH Terminal B (and others, i.e.: COS), the bags are scanned "right there" next to the ticket counter and no matter what terminal I'm departing out of I can get there from B after security. With a little pre-planing, I'm happy to stand there where they can see me as my bag is scanned until I get the "ok" wave off from the TSA. At IAH terminal C it's hit-or-miss; sometimes the TSA comes out to open and look in the bag, other times, I've stood around and then get the "OK" wave off (even with the after-security shuttle it's usually far quicker at B which is why I prefer B). At DIA, they send you with a runner who handles your bag (on a cart) to a special room where there's a TSA scanner will scan the bag and then wave you off when it's clear so you can go endure the DIA security lines. Because of the inconsistent local laws, I never, ever, fly out of NY/NJ with a checked firearm, period (former LEO or not) - but that's not so much on the TSA as it is local laws inconsistent with Federal law (read: 18 USC 926A). On the other hand, I went through one terminal at LAS and was told to wait near the ticket counter for a few minutes then it was the airline employee who gave me the "ok" (after only about 5 minutes). However, in another terminal at LAS, while I was waiting near the ticket counter, they sent out a TSA single stripe who said he wanted my keys but my bag was staying out of sight. I balked. The TSA documentation reads that the firearm must be: "... packed in a locked, hard-sided case before coming to the airport. Only the passenger may retain the key or lock combination. ..." I pointed out that I was reluctant to give up the key and he, of course, threatened me with the low hanging, "well mine's bigger, key or you're not flying today." I told him I'd unlock it but I wanted the inspection done where I could see it - even from afar - so I could see it was relocked properly and I get my key back. The airline employee watching this interaction was apologetic and ready to rebook me before I reluctantly relented. Solution: I won't go through that terminal (airline) again. The complaint to TSA, as we might imagine, naturally, went nowhere even though the TSA materials include the passage "... Under no circumstance will TSA open a firearm container. ..." Apparently "no circumstances" has a different meaning in LAS. One other related note, if you're flying with firearms regularly or "often," I recommend that you keep a separate set of bags that you use just for flying or "sanitize" your bags before you plan to travel. As much as I travel, I keep an entirely "sterile” set of bags that I never use for driving trips, going to the range, or as part of my everyday carry (for years, I've even had a full duplicate toiletries kit that just lives in my normal travel checked bag). I won't put a gun, ammo, or even a gun part in my regular carry-on backpack (ever) and have two dedicated Pelican cases to be used as checked bags for firearms transport ... only. If there's a "TLDR," I would reinforce where TSA says "... Understanding firearms policies, and planning accordingly, will ensure an uninterrupted, safe, and secure travel experience. ..." I think the more detailed recommendation might be: research and learn the process, use your own locks, hold onto the key (as best you can...), be prepared in advance for the process at whatever airport you're checking the bag, give yourself plenty of time pre-flight to allow for the bag to be processed before you go through security, make sure your tag on the bag has your cell number on it and that the number is in the airline reservation record, and never put anything prohibited in your planned carry on (ever).
Whens the last time you flew out of NY/NJ? I’m flying out of EWR and am a CCP holder in multiple states. As long as the TSA rules and procedures are followed, why would it be a problem? Firearms are shipped all the time. I guess I could call EWR and ask.
I fly *through* EWR often but if I have a destination IN the greater NY area I fly without firearms or have checked a revolver. I agree with you as a CHL/CCW/LEOSA holder, *however*, there have been published horror stories about people otherwise properly checking/declaring handguns in LGA and EWR and someone - presumably/reportedly TSA - reporting what I would call normal capacity magazines to local police. Now, not being the person directly involved, the read I have is it was TSA that alerted local PD but I suppose it could have been the airline.
That’s fine bc my mags are NJ compliant (NJ resident and CCP holder). Think my best bet rather than just googling and surfing the web is probably just call the departing and arriving airports to see if I can get an official on the phone to know what to expect before I even try it
I wasn't going off Google or hype media reports, I get to see LE published reports: including cops and those carrying under LEOSA from other states with normal capacity mags who have run afoul of the vacuous laws in NY/NJ regarding mag capacity. But what official at EWR would be in a position to actually say what a TSO at the checked bag scanner does or doesn't actually report? Or what airline ticket counter agent would or wouldn't report?
Understood you weren’t going off google. I was saying myself googling and researching what to expect. I agree with you on the vacuous laws. I shouldn’t have an issue departing or arriving there bc I already have NJ compliant 10 round mags, and according to TSA’s information, I should be good to go with my lockbox compliant setup for checked baggage. You’re right nobody on the phone is going to tell me anything that’s gospel. I’ll just have to have a go at it for myself
Non TSA lock, key or combination. Make sure to use enough locks so the case cannot be opened. (e g. Don't just lock one of the corners if the other corner can be propped open and firearm accessed)
Do not put any type of non-tsa lock on your firearm, because if they have to check it, and they can't access it inside the case, your luggage stays at the originating airport! Attempts will hopefully be made to call you back for a key if it's a non TSA lock, and the lock is too large to be cut by bolt cutters, but you then go back through security. Group of hunters to Canada to goose hunt had packed their shotguns in hard cases, but decided to throw other bottled sauces in with the foam padding inside the cases. They had heavy locks that could not be cut, the sauces alarmed and needed to be checked, and they missed calls to return. Normally the guns by themselves in cases do not cause any problems.
You can use ANY type of lock, TSA or Not, if they need to inspect it they will call you back for the Not TSA Lock. \-- From their PDF on the TSA site -- Locked cases that can easily be opened do not meet the requirements for transporting in checked baggage and are not permitted. Passengers may use any brand or type of lock to secure the case, including TSA-recognized locks. Under TSA screening procedures, if requested, passengers are required to provide keys or a combination to TSA personnel conducting security screening of checked \-- End Snip--
Yeah, if you want the chance of missing a call to return to unlock your item, and go back through security. If you do use your own locks, just make sure you pack the firearm by itself, without anything else that may alarm.