Flying with firearms domestic flights

[Skshyk]

Hi, I have flown out of the country several time with firearms but never domestic. During checking in is there any paperwork required ? I will be flying from CA to UT. Unloaded firearm in a locked case and no more then 11lbs of ammo in a locked case in my check in bag ?

 

[DPHunter4570]

I've flown one time, from IL to ME, with a rifle. It was easy. No paperwork required, follow the rules on the airline and TSA website. You'll have to declare it at check in. For me, they opened it right there and looked at it, then I locked it back up and away it went. Pretty easy. Nice thing too is that you can pack your ammo in the case with the gun, at least I did.

 

[JimP]

Yep, piece of cake domestically, basically the same thing as flying international except for dealing with customs at the far end.

Declare it and place the Unloaded Firearm card inside of the case. Get escorted to TSA where they do their thing and you are off to your destination. Pick it up at oversize baggage and leave.

 

[HankBuck]

I've flown one time, from IL to ME, with a rifle. It was easy. No paperwork required, follow the rules on the airline and TSA website. You'll have to declare it at check in. For me, they opened it right there and looked at it, then I locked it back up and away it went. Pretty easy. Nice thing too is that you can pack your ammo in the case with the gun, at least I did.

FAA allows Ammo packed with your firearms - in the same case…however, some Airlines prohibit this. Check both the FFA website AND your Airlines website, then carry a “printed copy” of both with you at all times. TSA and Airline workers are sometimes unaware of policies.

 

[HankBuck]

Hi, I have flown out of the country several time with firearms but never domestic. During checking in is there any paperwork required ? I will be flying from CA to UT. Unloaded firearm in a locked case and no more then 11lbs of ammo in a locked case in my check in bag ?

Skshyk, I’ve made maybe 20 domestic flights with firearms and rarely have the same process applied twice - so I always carry a printed copy of the TSA firearm regulations AND the Airlines specific Firearm policy…they can vary ie: TSA allows ammo to be packed inside the same case as your firearms but “some airlines” do Not. Twice I’ve had to show the Airline employee their own policy in writing and it helped avoid problems.

 

[poco]

Yep piece of cake just follow the instructions of tsa , I been to Alaska and had 3 guns and ammo in a aluminum case
Canada & Mexico you best have every duck in a row with paper work I’s dotted & T’s crossed! Canada is the worst

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

When you check in, the airline agent will give you a card to sign. You sign it and place it in the gun case and lock it up. I usually hang around and watch the TSA agents run my bag and gun case through the X-ray machine and get the thumbs up from them.

 

[Racer00]

Some of the larger airports (O'hare in Chicago) ran mine thru x-ray last trip. Smaller (Anchorage) they open and inspect and scan with me present to watch. All have been easy though. Don't sweat it. Just give yourself plenty of time.

 

[Tucketed]

I always love how TSA does their gunpowder swipe on the case. Just wonder how often they get a positive. Never happened to me but I have said to them it is a gun and gunpowder is involved.

 

[JimP]

If you haven't purchased your tickets see if the airline you are flying is firearm friendly.

I was told to stay completely away from Jet Blue

 

[Tra3]

I’ve flown many times with firearms domestically. Give yourself extra time at the check in. Make sure to have locks for your case.

When you arrive at your destination, the firearm will come out of a different location for specialty items, it shouldn’t roll out on the standard luggage belt.

Also, check the case weight. I’ve never had an issue with weight, but you never know when 2 lbs over will cost you $100!

 

[sierraone]

You can carry your ammo in your locked gun case on domestic flights.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hi, I have flown out of the country several time with firearms but never domestic. During checking in is there any paperwork required ? I will be flying from CA to UT. Unloaded firearm in a locked case and no more then 11lbs of ammo in a locked case in my check in bag ?

You're going to be fine piece of cake IMO. I've hunted in Hawaii, basically live in Wisconsin every November & I've hunted elk in Utah. Utah is a really gun friendly state. The guys above have it right. Make sure your weapon is unloaded, take your bolt out of your gun if its a rifle. They will ask to see the firearm. Sign the firearm declaration. I've always flown with my ammo in locked in my case with my gun. I usually fly Delta, American or South West. I try not to fly on United with a gun because they have a hub in New Jersey and I've heard some horror stories about United & guns. Make sure you have TSA approved locks. And yeah they'll probably do an explosive power swipe of your hands.

 

[Skshyk]

Thanks for all the great info!

 

[JimP]

No othe TSA locks per their regulations. Only you should have the key or combo. You also need a lock in every hole that is designed for a lock.

I've never had a problem leaving the bolt in the rifle.

 

[HankBuck]

Yep piece of cake just follow the instructions of tsa , I been to Alaska and had 3 guns and ammo in a aluminum case
Canada & Mexico you best have every duck in a row with paper work I’s dotted & T’s crossed! Canada is the worst

POCO, you’ve had better (or fewer) flights with Firearms than me. Although “ve never had a serious problem - none were “a piece of cake”. I Always felt that I was at the “whim” of whatever TSA or Airline employee was around and the variation of their “understanding of policy” was disturbing. Part of my feeling this way is my temperment and I prefer to have some control or consistent understanding of the process that I will be subjected to - the written policy for flying with firearms is very clear but the “interpretation” varies.
Regarding flying into Mexico (or driving) with Firearms - I would Never attempt it, the corruption is conspicuous and most Outfitters advise against it.

 

[HankBuck]

You're going to be fine piece of cake IMO. I've hunted in Hawaii, basically live in Wisconsin every November & I've hunted elk in Utah. Utah is a really gun friendly state. The guys above have it right. Make sure your weapon is unloaded, take your bolt out of your gun if it’s a rifle. They will ask to see the firearm. Sign the firearm declaration. I've always flown with my ammo in locked in my case with my gun. I usually fly Delta, American or South West. I try not to fly on United with a gun because they have a hub in New Jersey and I've heard some horror stories about United & guns. Make sure you have TSA approved locks. And yeah they'll probably do an explosive power swipe of your hands.

If you take your Bolt out of your rifle - secure it to the inside of your case in some manor (I tie mine to a strap). One of my Hunting partners had his rifle arrive at our Denver destination - but the Bolt was missing !. Apparently TSA “removed it” for the case during inspection and it was still at Newark Airport.

 

[wyosteve]

On my most recent flight, I put an Apple AirTag in my gun case (hidden in a slit in the foam). Gave me piece of mind when I could see my gun made it on the flight and also where it was in the airport for delivery to oversize baggage claim.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If you take your Bolt out of your rifle - secure it to the inside of your case in some manor (I tie mine to a strap). One of my Hunting partners had his rifle arrive at our Denver destination - but the Bolt was missing !. Apparently TSA “removed it” for the case during inspection and it was still at Newark Airport.

Doesn’t surprise me at all. That may have been done on purpose

You’re a very brave person to fly out of Newark with firearms

 

[Franco]

I went from Sacramento to New Orleans with my 357 a couple months ago - no ammo.

Piece of cake - declared the firearm at the ticket counter, filled out the form and the agent took my bag and sent me to the gate.

About 20 minutes later I received a call from a very nice TSA agent asking for the combo to my suitcase; he didn't care about the pistol - he needed to X-ray my laptop which was inside.

He said if the laptop wasn't inside he would have cleared the bag after the initial X-ray - lesson learned.