TSA Security and Traveling w/ Firearms

No issue checking a gun. You can have a trigger lock but not required. You need a hard sided gun case which is lockable. You will show up to check in with gun UNLOADED. Present to airline agent, they will ask to see the gun and you will prove it's un loaded. Then you will place gun back in case sign a firearms decleration the ariline provides and lock the case in front of the agent. You are done.

You can also transport up to 11 lbs of ammo IN the same case as your fire arm.

Allow a little extra time but since you are staying in the US shouldn't be a big deal at all.

Trigger lock and action lock are not required.

The action should be open if possible and the ammo can be placed in the locking hard case. Locking cases are required.

You will check in and declare the firearm with the airline. They will have you sign a declaration and place it inside the locked case. You and the locked case will be taken to a TSA screening point where the firearm case will be x-rayed and wiped down to look for explosive residues. If all checks out you will be given a thumbs up and you will then proceed as usual to the flight.

Give yourself an extra 20-30 minutes to jump through these hoops. Some airports are very efficient, others are not...

Can I get these "TSA" locks at the local Walmarks? Or is this something I need to order from Cabelas?

BTW...

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34venture

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...how was the Sammy's. My kids wound up bringing Sammy's up at dinner last night while they were grumbling about what we were having for dinner. Them kids always know how to make their ole man feel good.

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how was the Sammy's

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Prime rib Po-Boy was superb.

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Ammo is an airline thing, not a TSA thing. Ammo transport rules vary widely between airlines.

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This is true. The last time I flew w/ guns and ammo(1 1/2 years ago), the airline limited me to a total of 11# of ammo and it had to be in a DIFFERENT container than the gun. Check the regs of the specific airlines you're flying on.

Re: the TSA lock, unless the TSA regs have changed, you're NOT required to have a TSA lock, although TSA recommends it. The TSA lock allows the TSA to open your gun case using one of their generic keys; otherwise, they'd cut the lock off in the event you're not there. The TSA recs re: the TSA lock are worded very tricky and are easily confused. I read the recs multiple times and thought I had to have a TSA lock. One of the hunters in our party had a friend who worked at the counter of the airline we were flying out on. She told him it did not have to be a TSA lock and she was right. I bought multiple padlocks that were keyed to the same lock. The TSA locks look like they came out of a box of Cracker Jacks. If allowable, do not use a TSA lock. I'll check for the reg when I get a chance.

Finally, review carefully your airline's size limitations of the gun case. In my case, if my gun cases had been too big, they could've charged me an extra $200 BOTH trips for oversize luggage.

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In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns.

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This is what I've been seeing. It's aggravating to say the least.

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In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns.

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This is what I've been seeing. It's aggravating to say the least.

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I've probably flown 15 times with a firearm, and I've never used a TSA lock. I was under the impression that, although they will often allow you to use a TSA lock, that the passenger is the ONLY person that SHOULD be able to access the firearm from the case.

Most others has already answered your questions.

If this becomes a regular thing for you buy a good case for travel...it will get beat up I had two break before I finally broke down and bought a pelican.

I don't use TSA locks and have never had a problem.

Buy ammo once you land.

Who checks the rifle to make sure it is unleaded? Surely TSA agents are not fit to do this as they don't carry firearms and likely know nothing about them.