Flight checking firearm

[RobD]

Also, DON'T get TSA locks for the gun case.

It's illegal.

You must be the only one with the key or combination. Read the TSA regs, its pretty clear. For my flight next week, Delta said no TSA locks, although in the past I did use them...

Where do you get that it's "illegal" to use a TSA lock?

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm

[EAJuggalo]

(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination

from http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .11.3.10.3

That is why it is illegal to have a TSA lock on a firearm case. You can't say you're the only one with the combination or key if it's TSA approved.

[RobD]

(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination

from http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .11.3.10.3

That is why it is illegal to have a TSA lock on a firearm case. You can't say you're the only one with the combination or key if it's TSA approved.

Thanks... I've used TSA locks before. You would think that little tid bit would be something they would communicate on their info page.

[EAJuggalo]

It used to be on there, years ago. And I know it's included in Mac's guide to flying with a firearm on GlockTalk. Which should be required reading before anyone takes a gun on a plane.

[Daddyo]

Straight from one of the TSA inspectors at MSP:
Outermost lock, your luggage if the gun case is inside or the case itself for a long gun, must have a non-TSA lock.
Rifle cases must not be able to be pried open. This usually requires a lock at both ends.

Always keep in mind that allowing your gun to travel is up to the discretion of the TSA inspector. If he doesn't like the way it is packed, it's not flying regardless of what the website says. It ain't right, but that's the way it is.

[tman]

(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination

from http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .11.3.10.3

That is why it is illegal to have a TSA lock on a firearm case. You can't say you're the only one with the combination or key if it's TSA approved.

Thanks... I've used TSA locks before. You would think that little tid bit would be something they would communicate on their info page.

They once cut the lock on my pistol case off.

They replaced it with.....a TSA lock.

[KimberJoe]

(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination

from http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .11.3.10.3

That is why it is illegal to have a TSA lock on a firearm case. You can't say you're the only one with the combination or key if it's TSA approved.

TSA is such a new agency there doesn't seem to be much continuity between cities. It's getting better but it was pretty bad at first. I'm always amazed at how two people can read the same paragraph and come up with 2 very different interpretations. It seems to be a bigger problem with gov employee's for some reason.

I took my Kimber on a flight to Denver since I was driving a car back to Minnesota and I was anxious about the potential hassle of declaring the gun. But it actually turned out to be a big help as they took me to a private area to inspect it and then let me go right through, no line. I may just take it everywhere I fly if it will avoid the long lines.

[EAJuggalo]

Straight from one of the TSA inspectors at MSP:
Outermost lock, your luggage if the gun case is inside or the case itself for a long gun, must have a non-TSA lock.
Rifle cases must not be able to be pried open. This usually requires a lock at both ends.

Always keep in mind that allowing your gun to travel is up to the discretion of the TSA inspector. If he doesn't like the way it is packed, it's not flying regardless of what the website says. It ain't right, but that's the way it is.

Then the TSA agent was wrong. I've seen a scan of the memo that stated the best practice was to have a non-TSA lock on a hard case inside another piece of luggage with a TSA lock on it. The reasoning being that they may choose to inspect the rest of the contents of the bag without cutting off the lock. Not to mention the fact the regs specify the hard sided container holding the firearm must be locked, not just the bag holding the container.