Can You Fly With A Gun? 10 Rock-Solid Tips To Fly With A Gun

If you are a recent gun owner, you may wonder: can you fly with a gun or how to fly safely without too much hassle? In this post, I will give you 10 tips on how to travel safely with your firearm. When you fly the friendly skies, you’ll experience more invasion of privacy, groping, and unwanted scrutiny than ever before. Checking a firearm with your airline and going through the associated TSA screening process can be an eye-opener.

I fly enough that the majority of currently employed TSA agents are intimately familiar with every square inch of my body. But groping aside, I’ve found checking guns by following the rules to be a simple and straightforward process – as long as you carefully follow the rules.

Be aware there are always two sets of rules: those set by the TSA and those set by your airline. In a perfect world, they will be consistent with each other, but be aware that doesn’t always happen.

Let’s review a checklist for hassle-free flying with guns and can you fly with a gun?

1. Can You Fly With A Gun If You Buy Or Borrow A Lockable Hard Case?

Per the regulations, you can use a hard case with integrated combination locks, but I prefer a case with multiple holes for heavy-duty padlocks of my choosing.

Do NOT use TSA locks on your gun case. TSA policy states that the firearm case must be locked and that the passenger is expected to retain the key or combination. Under federal regulations, the passenger is expected to retain possession of the key or combination, though enforcement practices can vary by airport. You cannot lock it in such a way that others have access.

By using TSA locks on your gun case, many people, just about anyone, technically have access to your guns. TSA locks are not secure, and firearm cases are generally intended to remain inaccessible without the passenger present, except in limited inspection situations.

One more thing about cases. If you travel with a pistol, you might want to get a larger than necessary case. You can legally place other items besides your gun in the case, such as cameras or computer equipment, though some airlines may restrict additional items.

2. Check Your Airline’s Website To Review Their Policies.

While most airline policies are essentially the same, they don’t have to be. Print out the policy page to bring with you. With all that ticketing agents need to know, not every agent will completely understand their airline’s gun policy.

3. Review The TSA Policy Website For The Latest Information

It can and does, change. That’s your tax dollars at work, folks. Print this out also, as different TSA agents have different understandings of their own policies. Really.

4. Can You Fly With A Gun If You Unload Your Gun And Magazine

Complete this step while still at home! Check the chamber to make sure it is empty. I like to pack my guns in a case with the cylinder or action locked open, so it’s very apparent the gun is in a safe condition. That’s not required, just good manners when it comes to flying with a gun.

5. Weigh Your Gun Case And Ammunition.

Many airlines allow up to 11 pounds of ammunition, though limits can vary by airline. And, like any luggage, the charge is more for any baggage weighing more than 50 pounds. This sounds like a lot, but when traveling to a gun competition last year, I put my cases in my checked luggage, a shotgun case, a rifle case, and a pistol case, along with ammunition, tipped the scale past the 50-pound mark.

6. Can You Fly With A Gun If You Can Pack Ammo In The Same Locking Case?

Here is another misunderstood area full of internet myths. Your store ammo in some type of safe container but not loose. TSA guidance allows ammunition to be stored in magazines when it is fully enclosed, though some airlines apply stricter rules and may not allow this. It meets the letter of the law storage requirement, but too many airline and TSA agents will give you grief.

Use a plastic ammo box or original cardboard packaging; you’ll be fine carrying that in the same lockable case as your gun.

7. Can You Fly With A Gun If You Carry Your Gun Case In The Closed And Locked Condition Into The Airport Until You Meet The Ticketing Agent?

You can’t do curbside check-in, so prepare yourself to go inside to your airline counter. When checking in, tell the ticketing agent calmly you have a firearm to declare. It helps if you don’t yell something like, “I’VE GOT A GUN!!!” Unless you live in one of the Republik states, the agent won’t even bat an eye. They deal with this all the time. The agent will tell you what to do and when.

Some airports call TSA straight to the counter. Others have an airline agent escort you to a TSA checkpoint with your luggage. Just do what they say, and you’ll be fine. You will typically be asked to complete a firearm declaration card, though procedures vary by airport and airline.

8. Hang Out And Chill For A Bit.

Don’t rush from the ticket counter to the gate. Once your gun case leaves your possession, there is still a chance TSA will need you to re-open the case. Most airports will tell you to wait a bit in case they page you.

The subtle message here is to always be sure to arrive at the airport plenty early if you plan to check a firearm. Then, time is your friend, and the whole process will be a lot less stressful.

9. Can You Fly With A Gun If You Make Sure To Bring The Padlock Keys In Your Carry On Luggage?

I left mine in the car once and dropped them in my checked baggage another time. Fortunately, I figured out my error in time to correct it, or TSA would have been more than happy to cut my locks off.

10. Be Prepared For Surprises.

Yes, TSA might clear your gun case upon your departure. In rare situations, TSA may cut locks if further inspection is required and the passenger is not available, though this is uncommon. They’re not supposed to without a really good reason, but it happens. Again, that’s your tax dollars at work. You can yell, scream and stomp your feet, but you won’t win that battle. Accept the cost of new locks as part of doing business.

On the other hand, If your guns are missing, report it immediately to the airline and TSA, and follow their procedures for reporting lost or stolen firearms.

I’ve flown many times with one or more firearms and have never had a serious issue. Yes, some airports act differently, but I’ve never lost a gun or had a serious run-in with TSA agents.

Preparation and attention to detail are the keys to flying with a gun. If you do everything right, your trip will be uneventful for both you and your guns.

Some Extra Footnotes

Here are a few things to be aware of that you may or may not encounter.

In practice, some airports may apply procedures that conflict with federal regulations. That’s a harsh statement, but it’s true, or was, the last time I traveled with guns. The TSA folks asked for my keys so they could inspect my gun cases in a secure TSA backroom area. I was not allowed to accompany them.

According To The Code Of Federal Regulations

Title 49: Transportation, Part 1540 – Civil Aviation Security: General Rules, Subpart B – Responsibilities of Passengers and Other Individuals and Persons, 1540.111 (c) (iv) - The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.

Title 49: Transportation, Part 1544 – Aircraft Operator Security: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators,  Subpart C – Operations, 1544.203 (f) (iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination;

Federal regulations state that only the passenger should retain the key or combination, though enforcement practices can vary by airport. From a practical perspective, good luck with that. When fighting with the federal government over obscure details like this, you will not win in the short term. You may win in the long term, but the odds are you won’t make your flight at the scheduled time. So can you fly with a gun? Yes, but choose your battles carefully. You can be right all day long and still not make it past the TSA checkpoint.

If you’re traveling with optics that you don’t trust with the baggage handlers, you can take those as carry-on baggage. Obviously, you have to remove it from your gun first! But it’s no problem to carry on a scope onto the plane as long as there is no gun attached.

Video On TSA Rules Regarding Flying With A Gun

Here are a few tips and tricks to make it easier.

Can You Fly With A Gun If You Avoid Connecting Through New York

Should you consider avoiding connections through New York? In many cases, it may be worth considering, as firearm laws and enforcement can be more complex than in other states.

If you are legally allowed to have a gun from your departure point and legally allowed to have it at your destination, Under federal law, travelers are generally protected when transporting firearms between places where they are legal, though local enforcement and circumstances can still create complications.

Some jurisdictions, including New York, have stricter firearm laws, which can create challenges for travelers even when they are otherwise complying with federal transport rules.

In many cases, a standard connection through New York does not create issues if the firearm remains checked and in transit. Your checked gun case will get moved on to the next flight, and all will be well.

The gotcha occurs when the travel gremlins arrive. What if your flight is canceled or delayed, and you have to spend the night? Now you are taking a gun from the airport baggage claim to the hotel and then back to the airport again. And depending on the firearm and permits involved, possession may be restricted under New York law. You may meet Officer Friendly when arriving at the airport the next morning. This can lead to unexpected legal complications, which is why some travelers prefer to avoid itineraries that require taking possession of a firearm in such locations.

I won’t schedule an itinerary through there for exactly this reason. While these situations may seem uncommon, they can occur, and travelers should be aware of the potential risks.

Conclusion

When it comes to flying with a gun, follow all TSA and airline regulations, consider avoiding connections through New York to reduce legal risk, never use a TSA-style lock on a firearm case since TSA policy requires only the passenger to retain access, and be aware that airline rules may limit how many firearms can be stored in a single case.

Thanks for reading. Happy travels, my friends.