Flying with a handgun

[Russell 3]

I know this has been discussed ad nauseam, although I tried a search and didn't see my specific question being asked.  I'm flying to AZ this week and would like to bring a handgun.  Can I put it inside the Glock factory case, put a non-TSA lock on that, and then put it inside a larger suitcase that's checked?  Or does the gun need to be its own separate checked item?  And if I can put it inside a larger suitcase, do I put a TSA or non-TSA lock on the larger suitcase?  I saw something online that said if the luggage is a hardcase like a Pelican case then you can put the non-TSA lock on the outside of that, but all my luggage is the soft-sided kind. 

 

And has anyone ever had any trouble flying out of Newark with a handgun?

 

Thanks

[effd27145 0]

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php/topic/72589-anyone-fly-out-of-nyc-airports-with-handgun-recently/?hl=%2Bairport+%2Bwith+%2Bgun#entry916813

 

The general consensus is to not even think about attempting to fly out of a New York area airport with a gun. Some say that just EWR is ok. But the recommended suggestion is look into shipping the gun to yourself in your destination state to avoid all possible headache.

 

As far as the TSA questions...google is your friend.

 

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

Edited October 13, 2014 by effd27145

[Russell 3]

Thanks for the links.  Yeah I definitely wouldn't try to fly out of JFK or LGA with a gun, but I didn't think EWR would be a problem?

 

I've read through the TSA requirements where it says it needs to be in a hard-sided case.  Just want to be sure it's ok to then put that hard-sided case inside my luggage to all count as 1 checked item and then how I should lock the larger suitcase.

[alec.mc 180]

Russ, I flew out of ewr a few months ago with my gun.

 

I had the pistol in a hard shell pelican case with MY (non-tsa) lock, inside my luggage bag. My luggage bag did have a tsa lock on it.

 

I had taped a note to the pelican case saying " if you need to get inside this case call blah at blah blah blah"

 

Just tell the guy at the counter you have items to declare, you fill out a card put it inside the gun case, somebody will then come get you and escort you to a different place where they x ray the bag to make sure gun is unloaded. Then you board your flight as normal

[GRIZ 3,369]

My experience has basically been the same as Alec's since 2005. I have flown numerous times from Newark with a handgun in my checked baggage. I put my gun in a non TSA locked hard gun case and put that inside a Haliburton suitcase with a combination lock. I never had any encounter with PAPD.

 

I am a retired LEO qualified to carry under LEOSA and have a NJ RPO carry permit. This has never been an issue and the only ID I present is my driver's license. The only times I have ever encountered PAPD was when I was still on the job, carrying on the plane, and they (PAPD) always checked my LE ID before I entered the secure area. This ID check was always done by whatever LE agency had jurisdiction at the airport.

 

Twice there was variance in procedure that Alec described. Once at Newark TSA wanted to see the gun. The

other was at O'Hare in Chicago when the ticket agent wanted me to show her the gun was unloaded. I did this by keeping the gun over the Haliburton which was on the baggage scale. The airline was entitled to do this at the time. Not sure if this is still the case. Read all the TSA and airline regulations.

[mipafox 438]

Glock case is fine, I've used it dozens of times. It might not pass the "easily pried" requirement without a well-fitting lock (or even with it) but TSA in a dozen states have never given me a problem.

 

Non-TSA lock is required on the gun case (the Glock case). They will want to see the gun when you check it. I have never had them pull the slide, so no idea what they are checking other than is there a gun I guess.

 

Yes, you can put the Glock case in your baggage. TSA lock goes on the outer baggage. If some idiot wants to see your bag a second time, and for some reason doesn't have a TSA key for a TSA lock (happened to me about 3/50 times) they will call you over the PA system or they will cut the lock. The outer lock. They don't cut the gun case lock. No idea what is up with that.

 

Check if you can carry in the airport at your destination. I put the primary gun in the top of my luggage so I can have it in a bathroom stall and zip open just slightly, pull my gear out, and arm up before I leave the airport. Other than bad neighborhoods, you are probably more likely to get robbed leaving an airport or airport car rental than most places.

[Vlad G 345]

Had same experience as Alec at EWR a couple of years back. It is easy and not a hassle. They did ask to see my gun, but they had me open the case, they looked but did not touched, and said Ok lock it up. I have no idea what their visual check was supposed to prove, because I had an empty magazine in the magwell, so if they wanted to see if it was unloaded they failed.

[67gtonut 847]

Same as Alec.....

 

I have never been asked to even open up the luggage to show the case even.....  

[mipafox 438]

 

Same as Alec.....

 

I have never been asked to even open up the luggage to show the case even.....  

 

 

Extremely bizarre. Not only do they want the gun case open, they put a red tag in it marked TSA that says the firearm has been inspected. Note, it is usually NOT TSA doing the inspection, it is the ticket counter agent.

 

This has happened in PA, CA, TN, FL, AL, CO, GA, and some other states I can't remember.

 

Sounds like they do it different there than most places.

[mipafox 438]

OK, I have one here, it does NOT say TSA on it, my bad. It is an unloaded firearm certification tag that I sign and they put in my gun case. Haven't flown in 2014.

[67gtonut 847]

   

 

Extremely bizarre. Not only do they want the gun case open, they put a red tag in it marked TSA that says the firearm has been inspected. Note, it is usually NOT TSA doing the inspection, it is the ticket counter agent.

 

This has happened in PA, CA, TN, FL, AL, CO, GA, and some other states I can't remember.

 

Sounds like they do it different there than most places.

 

 

 

EWR is different then every other place I have flown out of..... never open the luggage....  Just escorted to other room.... you stand outside while they x-ray luggage....  if all seems good, you are dismissed to be on your way.

 

Flying home...... Declare at counter....  open luggage.... show locked gun case, smack on red sticker on case, close luggage, and they take luggage right there, and you are on your merry way.....

[SJG 253]

Due to a 2013 Third Circuit opinion the FOPA will not protect you when transporting through the terminal to the check in counter. You need to fit yourself under a NJ transport exemption so prepare yourself for which exemption you are going to claim if an over zealous law enforcement officer decides to make his first arrest. Also, a tip: keep your weapon case inside your suitcase until you get to the check in counter. It is not a good idea to be walking through the terminal with a gun case.

[Vlad G 345]

For fun an amusement, fly out of Anchorage with a gun. Half the damn airport is waiting in line to check in guns, and all they do crack open your bag, and shove in the form and chuck your bag on the carrousel in a  very chicken factory kinda way. Randomly they'll swab your bag for explosives, St. Bacon knows why.

[Silence Dogood 468]

Due to a 2013 Third Circuit opinion the FOPA will not protect you when transporting through the terminal to the check in counter. You need to fit yourself under a NJ transport exemption so prepare yourself for which exemption you are going to claim if an over zealous law enforcement officer decides to make his first arrest. Also, a tip: keep your weapon case inside your suitcase until you get to the check in counter. It is not a good idea to be walking through the terminal with a gun case.

 

^^^ This ^^^

[boo 6]

Can you still use the express lines where you're checking in via a terminal or do you have to do the full service counter check in?

[67gtonut 847]

Can you still use the express lines where you're checking in via a terminal or do you have to do the full service counter check in?

 

Full Service only

[Vlad G 345]

Due to a 2013 Third Circuit opinion the FOPA will not protect you when transporting through the terminal to the check in counter. You need to fit yourself under a NJ transport exemption so prepare yourself for which exemption you are going to claim if an over zealous law enforcement officer decides to make his first arrest.

 

Do you know of such a case applied to a NJ resident at EWR?

 

BTW, it seems easy enough to say "I'm going to the range, it just happens to be in Omaha".

[mipafox 438]

 

For fun an amusement, fly out of Anchorage with a gun. Half the damn airport is waiting in line to check in guns, and all they do crack open your bag, and shove in the form and chuck your bag on the carrousel in a  very chicken factory kinda way. Randomly they'll swab your bag for explosives, St. Bacon knows why.

If you want it swabbed, put a can of gravy in there. They hate cans. After noticing they only swabbed when I packed cans I asked and they told me.

 

Great trick to play on a nervous traveling companion

[ryan_j 0]

Last two airports I flew out of were DFW and ABE. I don't like Newark airport for a number of reasons. I feel flying out with a gun from there is russian roulette because Revell from Utah was charged. 

 

I put my gun in a gunvault MV200 inside my suitcase and locked the entire suitcase with a non TSA lock. I declared it to the agent who gave me an orange card to sign. I placed it next to the gun case. At DFW they escorted me to TSA who opened it in my presence. I waited until TSA screening was done and they re-locked it. At ABE they told me to wait until TSA was clear with it. The TSA agent called me and asked for the key. She opened the locks, looked inside and re-locked it. Yes, you can lock your ENTIRE suitcase if you have a gun in there. I like that because if I have to put expensive things in my checked luggage (when I have no choice) such as camera lenses I would like to have a real lock and not a TSA "lock." 

 

Easy peasy lemon squezy.

 

Also, I wasn't asked about any permits or anything even though I was covered in that regard. 

 

Keep the action locked open, and make sure the gun is unloaded. No rounds in the chamber. Magazines unloaded makes it easier too. Ammo should be in factory or factory like packaging. I pack two boxes of critical defense with me when traveling. I don't carry much because I might buy some .22LR if I find it, lol. Be aware of airline (not TSA) limits. Most airlines limit you to around 11lbs with some limiting you to 5.5lbs of ammo.

 

I don't think any domestic airlines prohibit firearms anymore, the last one was USA3000 and they are out of business. Check the airline website and print out their policy and keep it with you just in case you get static. Also print out and keep the TSA guidelines. Helps you win the occasional argument if you meet an ignorant person. 

[mipafox 438]

Never packed a gun with action locked open in 30 years, including about 50 flights in the past 8. Not necessary. Nobody has ever cleared it in any state and nobody in any state asked me to clear it.

 

Mags can be loaded but the bullets need to be "contained" - such as inserted in carry mag holders or with mag covers on the mags. I'm not sure regular rifle mag pouches would count. Some (one?) airlines don't want the ammo in the gun case, but TSA is fine with it.

 

I started carrying airline/TSA webpages about 10 years ago but it is not necessary because nobody cares. Worst conflict I saw was TSA suggested I put a mag without a cover into the gun case and I told them US AIR doesn't want the ammo in the gun case.

 

Nobody cares. It's not big deal. If you are doing it wrong they won't arrest you, they'll tell you to change something.

[Russell 3]

Thanks all for the replies!  Sounds like no one here's ever had a problem at EWR checking a handgun.

 

Due to a 2013 Third Circuit opinion the FOPA will not protect you when transporting through the terminal to the check in counter. You need to fit yourself under a NJ transport exemption so prepare yourself for which exemption you are going to claim if an over zealous law enforcement officer decides to make his first arrest.

 

So should I be concerned about this?  Doesn't sound like it's affected anyone else here.  Does the fact that I have an apartment in AZ help?  Or should I just say I'm going shooting in AZ if asked?

[djg0770 481]

You won't be asked.

[GRIZ 3,369]

Thanks all for the replies!  Sounds like no one here's ever had a problem at EWR checking a handgun.

 

 

 

So should I be concerned about this?  Doesn't sound like it's affected anyone else here.  Does the fact that I have an apartment in AZ help?  Or should I just say I'm going shooting in AZ if asked?

Apartment in AZ puts you in the residence to residence exemption. Thats much better than claiming "I'm going to the range in AZ".

[njpilot 671]

Just flew out of EWR last week. Usual, declare to ticket agent, fill out card and put in suitcase on top of gun box. Walk to TSA to x-ray. On my way.

 

A few years ago TSA would come out of the room and ask for the key to the gun box, then come back 2 min later with my keys and say have a nice day.

 

Returning from JAX, the ticket agent wanted to see that the box couldn't easily be pryed open.

 

Have carried out of EWR about 7 or 8 times in the last 4 years and never had a problem, just a delay on occasion waiting for someone to take me to TSA. Give yourself a little extra time so you don't have to stress getting to the gate.

 

I've waited more than 20 min one time because the person coming to ale me to TSA went to the wrong counter.

 

If you lock your suitcase, it's recommended to use a TSA lock. If you use a non-TSA lock, it will likely be cutoff if they need to search your bag.

[Russell 3]

Well that was pretty easy. Only took a few extra minutes and they never even opened my bag. Carried yesterday for the first time ever!

[TulsaJohn 1]

Just checked in through American at EWR, just took a few extra minutes. Had to wait for tsa to say good to go.... It did take the agent at the ticket counter a few minutes to rummages throught all the drawers looking for a declare form..

[mikka1 2]

Guys, just a quick question that literally popped up several minutes ago.

 

I am flying out from Newark to Miami most likely with my handgun with me and as far as I see from your posts above, this seems to cause no big issues. My current flight back is pre-booked as Miami -> Newark, but there is a great chance I might have to take another flight to LGA or JFK depending on seats availability.

 

In normal circumstances I wouldn't really care about this and consider as a minor hassle with extra hour spent on my way back, but what about FLYING IN to LGA with a handgun?

I read scary stories about people having issues trying to check in guns on their way from LGA to other locations, but how about flying IN to New York?

Any experience on that?

 

P.S. I am still inclined to have my gun with me anyway, just trying to figure out if there are proven negative examples that this particular thing should be avoided.

Thanks!

[67gtonut 847]

I am the last guy that is a tin foil hat guy.....

But I would not fly into NYC with a handgun ....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

[mikka1 2]

I am the last guy that is a tin foil hat guy.....

But I would not fly into NYC with a handgun ....

 

I wouldn't either and I currently have a booking to EWR, but I know how some weekend bookings from Florida are so overbooked that they might give you some voucher and seat in a plane flying to LGA (AA has much more flights to LGA than to EWR every day). Normally I might be even happy (if the voucher amount is decent), but in case with a handgun I'm just trying to understand if I am committing a crime outright or if I am doing something unclear or if I am generally fine unless faced by an overzealous LEO...

[magnawing 5]

Turn down the voucher and just go to EWR...or PHL

 

 

This signature is AWESOME!!!