Flying with guns and ammo
What are the rules for flying with guns and ammo? Can the guns and ammo be in the same case or do they have be in seperate cases?
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Contact your specific airline to ensure you know what their policy is. Southwest is typical of most:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/guns.html
Guns and Ammunition
Guns
Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through.
Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and prove that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.
Paintball guns are allowed in checked baggage and are not subject to the container requirements of firearms. Customers must declare the paintball gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter. Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carryon only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end). TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.
Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, LOCKED container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made.
Firearms may be checked and will count toward the two-piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.
Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.
Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.
Ammunition
Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage!
Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.
Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed.
Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be conditionally accepted.0 -
You can read Guns and Ammo on the plane. They wont mind. 
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Guns have to be locked and checked seperately without any ammo in the case. Not that big of deal, unless you get a politically motivated airline employee. 0 -
A few years back, many guns going through SEA-Tac airport were ripped off by baggage handlers. You also have the right to mail a long gun to yourself. 0 -
What is acceptable for ammo storaget/transport varies based on the person doing your paperwork. I fly quite often and check a handgun, especially if the area I am traveling to has reciprosity with Florida's CCW permits. Generally ammo in the original packaging is OK. Ammo in plastic holders designed for ammunition is generally OK, although I have experienced a situation where the non-factory packaging was not acceptible. I used to carry ammo in extra magazines in heavy duty nylon snap pouches and had the person doing the paper work tell me that was not acceptable. I think it is but arguing at that point does little good.
For long guns and handguns alike, I use Pelican cases. The airlines recognize this prouct and evidently have faith in the product. I highly recomend these cases. They are easy to lock and as secure as you can get if locked properly. Even the handgun cases accomodate two locks. The last time I flew special locks were not required. I use regular heavy duty Master padlocks. Guns and ammo are supposed to be in separate luggage. Of course, the firearms must be unloaded to transport.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MBK
A few years back, many guns going through SEA-Tac airport were ripped off by baggage handlers. You also have the right to mail a long gun to yourself.
also a very good reason to have your guns insured[;)] A customer of mine went on an African safari and he was worried the rifle wouldn't make it so he made sure his insurance policy would cover it--he had more to worry about from the local people at the airport in Namibia trying to fleece him for "gun fees"[:p]0 -
Follow the rules. Rule #1 is to ALWAYS declare the weapon in your checked baggage! 0 -
In addition to good info above, write this down: When you approach the ticket counter, you need to say to the agent these words: "I would like to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked baggage." DO NOT SAY "I have a gun." If you go to YOUR airlines website, you can print their rules- most are about the same as SouthWest. The TSA website also has some info. 0 -
old45guy,
Both must be in locked hard cases, packed separately. To save bag fees you can put the ammunition in your regular luggage. Some airlines will let you pack them together, but that is the exception rather than the rule. I do it this way so that even if I change airlines I have it covered.
quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
In addition to good info above, write this down: When you approach the ticket counter, you need to say to the agent these words: "I would like to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked baggage." DO NOT SAY "I have a gun." If you go to YOUR airlines website, you can print their rules- most are about the same as SouthWest. The TSA website also has some info.
[:D][;)][:D]
I love it! This is important. A customer came up to the El Al counter in LA a few years ago and said the second line. The agent drew and fired. That customer is dead. The agent was also an Israeli Intelligence agent. Don't joke with Customer Service people or TSA about this. I don't know why I still hear everybody doing it. They have a job to do and they need you to make the clear statement that you have an "Unloaded Firearm, needing to be checked for transportation with you".0 -
The best idea is to check with the individual airline that you are flying with. Keep the phone number and name of the associate that you spoke with just in case. Even at the risk of offending them I would ask the associate to double check with their supervisor and get their name also. Several times I got conflicting answers. I flew with Northwest last year and both gun and ammo must be in same gun case. Flew with South Africa Air August 08 and they had same policy. Will be flying with Northwest next month and will check again to make sure policy hasn't changed from last year. The airline industry needs to have one and only one policy set by NTA regarding flying with firearms. 0
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