first time flying with a handgun

[EAJuggalo]

Why put a TSA lock on the firearm case? Besides being against regulations it doesn't make any sense to me to have a lock they can easily enter the master code for on a case holding a firearm.

[Norsesmithy]

A non-TSA lock on the bag the case goes in satisfies the law IIRC and also prevents people from stealing your underwear.

[Daddyo]

Had a long discussion with the baggage TSA guy on my last trip.
One thing that got my attention was that whether or not your gun gets to fly is entirely up to the discretion of the inspector.
The principle is to make sure "those guys in back" can't get their hands on your gun. To that end, a rifle case has to be locked at both ends so they can't just pry it open and pull it out. By the same reasoning, the bag your handgun case is in needs a non-TSA lock to keep them from just grabbing the whole case out of your bag.
Having a TSA lock on the pistol case itself just seems to make the inspectors happy, I guess because they don't have to fumble with another padlock.

[EAJuggalo]

That still doesn't explain why you would put a TSA lock on the gun case itself. Especially when it's strictly forbidden by TSA policy. I could see doing the reverse and having a non TSA on the gun case and a TSA on the outer bag, since if they decide they have a need to inspect your luggage they will cut the lock off if it's not TSA.

[tman]

That still doesn't explain why you would put a TSA lock on the gun case itself. Especially when it's strictly forbidden by TSA policy. I could see doing the reverse and having a non TSA on the gun case and a TSA on the outer bag, since if they decide they have a need to inspect your luggage they will cut the lock off if it's not TSA.

'
Either way is just security theater. If I'm going to steal a gun, I'd pr'y take the whole suitcase and then take my time cutting off the locks in a more convenient setting.