Using TSA approved locks on Gun case or Ammunation case

[dersark]

Recently I went through an unbelivable, unfavourable experences travelling to Africa, destination Zimbabwe. This was my first trip to Zimbabwe. My gun and Ammunations checked in Johannesburg and Harare with no issue. On my way back first check was Harare, 6 people in a small room checking my gun and ammunation, counting the ammu, looking very carefully with very suspecious look to the ammu and commenting that they are very expenssive ammu and hard to find ( swift). All checking done by seven people. which was not necessary. anyway after they finishe the check I put the TSA lock on it and handed to them. When I arrived in Johanesburg went throught same process as usual. My gun and ammu arrived at police station to pick up and declare for check in to USA. I accounter a very schoking experence of having a very light ammu bax to open for officer for check. there was nothing in the ammu box byt packing buble wrapps. The officer looked at me and said well can happen. He advise do not use TSA locks on any gun case or Ammu case ( especially on Ammu ) case. This experience was imaginable but not expected.
I 100% agree with SA police , DO not use TSA locks . reason is obviou, they check your gun and ammu box in your presence and ask you to open which require your signature at the end.

 

[Hogpatrol]

SMH at those that still advise using something that basically isn't much better than a zip tie. My 2¢, the best place for a TSA lock is still hanging on the pegboard at Walmart. They can be opened with a paperclip. YMMV.

 

[NDWoods]

No TSA locks on guns or ammo for me. Good lock with my key on my person.

Few years ago while in the outside gate waiting area in Hawaii an agent came and asked me for my key. Absolutely not but I can come with you. They proceeded to make a little bit of an uncomfortable scene and said I risked missing my flight if I did not hand over the key. Wife and I both laughed at her arrogant ass. Go get your supervisor.

 

[JimP]

If someone wants into your ammo box or rifle case they are going to get into it no matter what lock you have on it.

In the OP's case they planned to steal the ammo one way or another, since they were doing the inspection they could of just taken the whole box instead of just the ammo.

Just remember, locks are for honest people, crooks just don't care.

 

[TSIBINDI]

...TSA locks are not approved on gun boxes

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I travel with 2 TSA locks in my gun case and 4 key or combination locks.

Ammo case gets 1 of each and into my checked bag. Only issue I’ve had was my last trip to Zambia (through Newark) were I had the key locks cut and a TSA inspection card inserted into my gun case.

 

[375Fox]

Very interesting. At least it happened on way home and not there. How many rounds was it?

 

[Philip Glass]

No one has ever had their locks cut in Africa!

 

[dersark]

Very interesting. At least it happened on way home and not there. How many rounds was it?

60 rounds

 

[crackerman]

...TSA locks are not approved on gun boxes

• Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. For civil enforcement purposes, TSA also considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger. For example, if an individual has a firearm in accessible baggage and ammunition in his/her pocket, or any combination where the individual has access to both, the firearm is considered "loaded" for purposes of assessing a civil penalty. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

Source https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

FAA says otherwise but as usual clear as mud. When I went in April I used Key locks on my gun case but TSA locks on the ammo case. No problems with JNB but they didn't count anything or frankly look at my guns.

 

[DLSJR]

No TSA locks on guns or ammo for me. Good lock with my key on my person.

Few years ago while in the outside gate waiting area in Hawaii an agent came and asked me for my key. Absolutely not but I can come with you. They proceeded to make a little bit of an uncomfortable scene and said I risked missing my flight if I did not hand over the key. Wife and I both laughed at her arrogant ass. Go get your supervisor.

That doesn’t always work. I had a similar experience with TSA while flying out of my home airport, SMF. I was summoned over the PA system and went back to check-in counter where a TSA agent was waiting. She wanted the combination to the lock on my gun case, which I was not willing to give her. I told her I would go with her to open the case but she refused and insisted on being given the combination or my guns wouldn’t be loaded if I didn’t give her the combination. I told her I wanted her supervisor and she replied that she was the most senior supervisor on duty. We were flying to Hermosillo via PHX and I didn’t want my gun left behind, so I took all of her ID information and told her pointedly that if anything was missing or damaged that I’d be holding her personally accountable. I boarded my flight and everything arrived without a problem.

I did some research later and concluded that she did things pretty much ‘by the book’,didn’t need to take me in back and did have the authority to stop my gun from being loaded. Now when I check in with guns I ask the ticket agent to contact TSA and ask if they’d like to inspect my gun while I’m at the counter.

 

[Scott CWO]

Recently I went through an unbelivable, unfavourable experences travelling to Africa, destination Zimbabwe. This was my first trip to Zimbabwe. My gun and Ammunations checked in Johannesburg and Harare with no issue. On my way back first check was Harare, 6 people in a small room checking my gun and ammunation, counting the ammu, looking very carefully with very suspecious look to the ammu and commenting that they are very expenssive ammu and hard to find ( swift). All checking done by seven people. which was not necessary. anyway after they finishe the check I put the TSA lock on it and handed to them. When I arrived in Johanesburg went throught same process as usual. My gun and ammu arrived at police station to pick up and declare for check in to USA. I accounter a very schoking experence of having a very light ammu bax to open for officer for check. there was nothing in the ammu box byt packing buble wrapps. The officer looked at me and said well can happen. He advise do not use TSA locks on any gun case or Ammu case ( especially on Ammu ) case. This experience was imaginable but not expected.
I 100% agree with SA police , DO not use TSA locks . reason is obviou, they check your gun and ammu box in your presence and ask you to open which require your signature at the end.

Sorry this happened to you but SA Police are just one consideration. This is rare but is going to happen once in a while.

I would rather deal with some stolen ammo on the way home once in a while than miss a flight on the way to Africa due to being paged for a key or forced to go open my ammo case that I put regular padlocks on. I use regular padlocks on my firearm case but I use TSA locks on my ammo case ever since I was paged by TSA to open my ammo case. I was told to use TSA locks on ammo by those TSA Officers or risk missing flights or having the luggage containing my ammo case, seized or delayed. This has worked for 13 trips to Africa and I have never had ammo stolen on my way home but I suppose it could happen. I’m willing to take that risk.

 

[Fryeguy]

When taking direct flights from Newark, they escorted us each time with guns to an upstairs area, guns remained locked and they scanned them while you waited outside the door. I told them I could unlock case for them to inspect, they said “no need, we will know immediately if it’s loaded, we have the technology”. If we find anything I will come get you. I remained outside and the guy came back within 5 minutes and said you are good to go, they checked out fine. My wife and I were both shocked at how great it went, we just expected more hastle in NJ…

Richmond,Va last year was also a fine experience. They checked guns at counter when we checked in, re-locked the case, carried to the end for them where heavy luggage goes and they took them away.

I had master locks on them each time, keys on my person, the whole trip.

On ammo boxes I always used gun locks that come with every gun you purchase. Then they can still open can to some degree and inspect it, but hopefully not fit ammo thru the small opening. Keys kept on me along with gun lock keys as well.

I do fear losing ammo every time thou, not much else we can do. Sorry it happened to you, and it sounds like you expected it after the way they checked it

 

[DLSJR]

One thing I’ve done lately, which some people think is too aggressive but has worked for me, is to take the names of those I’ve had to deal with while flying. If I’m given any hassle at all or reason to be concerned, I ask for their name so they know I can hold them accountable if a missing item report or complaint needs to be made. So far, when I’ve done that, I’ve had no problems with all my stuff arriving.

 

[Challer]

I can buy TSA keys on eBay or print one.

 

[JimP]

That doesn’t always work. I had a similar experience with TSA while flying out of my home airport, SMF. I was summoned over the PA system and went back to check-in counter where a TSA agent was waiting. She wanted the combination to the lock on my gun case, which I was not willing to give her. I told her I would go with her to open the case but she refused and insisted on being given the combination or my guns wouldn’t be loaded if I didn’t give her the combination. I told her I wanted her supervisor and she replied that she was the most senior supervisor on duty. We were flying to Hermosillo via PHX and I didn’t want my gun left behind, so I took all of her ID information and told her pointedly that if anything was missing or damaged that I’d be holding her personally accountable. I boarded my flight and everything arrived without a problem.

I did some research later and concluded that she did things pretty much ‘by the book’,didn’t need to take me in back and did have the authority to stop my gun from being loaded. Now when I check in with guns I ask the ticket agent to contact TSA and ask if they’d like to inspect my gun while I’m at the counter.

Every time that I have flown out of a US airport I have gone with a airline representative to the TSA inspection room and watched from outside as they inspected my rifle case.

Sometimes they didn't open it and sometimes they asked for my key for the locks.

If you are using those combo locks where there are three or four dials with the numbers on them, I can open them almost as fast as someone who knows the combination

 

[HankBuck]

That doesn’t always work. I had a similar experience with TSA while flying out of my home airport, SMF. I was summoned over the PA system and went back to check-in counter where a TSA agent was waiting. She wanted the combination to the lock on my gun case, which I was not willing to give her. I told her I would go with her to open the case but she refused and insisted on being given the combination or my guns wouldn’t be loaded if I didn’t give her the combination. I told her I wanted her supervisor and she replied that she was the most senior supervisor on duty. We were flying to Hermosillo via PHX and I didn’t want my gun left behind, so I took all of her ID information and told her pointedly that if anything was missing or damaged that I’d be holding her personally accountable. I boarded my flight and everything arrived without a problem.

I did some research later and concluded that she did things pretty much ‘by the book’,didn’t need to take me in back and did have the authority to stop my gun from being loaded. Now when I check in with guns I ask the ticket agent to contact TSA and ask if they’d like to inspect my gun while I’m at the counter.

@DLSJR I’ve had a similar experience with TSA flying out of Newark NJ. I reacted same as you “I want to speak to your Supervisor” - the TSA Agent refused to get one, after 45 minutes the “clock was ticking” and I made the decision to “comply”.
You made the right decision - TSA is not only incompetent but also Unaccountable to anyone and you are mostly at the mercy of whatever agent (or Supervisor) you are dealing with. Frustrating but hasn’t changed in 20 years. Those that have Never had this kind of bad experience with TSA —- just wait, the day is likely coming

 

[slam8031]

not to hijack the thread about locks, but the last time through Newark our group handed our keys over for them to inspect the rifles and cases out of our sight...we were not allowed to be in the room.

 

[375Fox]

60 rounds

I’m surprised they would know to recognize Swift A Frames, but that’s a lot more ammo than most hunters leave Zimbabwe with. Probably a tempting target if they knew who to sell them to.

 

[dersark]

I agree getting acompany with airline representetive to TSA room for inspection which would be more pleasant experence, ( since TSA workers are not police officers). I had having one in LAX to escort me to TSA check room every thing went smooth. Johannesburg is extended part of UK, Brithish airway and all other world known agents, I had no problems. ( the agent came with me). But Zimbabwe is a whole diffrent country, runs by cummunist goverment and regime under US embargo. Corruption is the name of the game, you may take names and all information you want for your fuature need which it goes straight down the drain by them. Tipping them behind the instaled cameras is the only solution to have more agreeable oucome. maybe?