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Message
flying with firearms (shotgun)???
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:04 pm
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:04 pm
Receiving some conflicting data regarding flying with guns. Some friends are saying I have to go to TSA and pre-check them before flying.
United just says this on their website:
Packing
To check your firearm, you need to make sure it’s safely packed in a case.
How to pack your firearm
We’ll only accept a firearm as checked baggage if its case follows these policies.
Firearms need to be in a hard-sided case with a lock. The hard-sided case can be placed inside an unlocked, soft-sided bag as long as it’s secure.
The case containing the firearm must be locked when we receive it. The key or combination must always be with you.
You aren’t required to use a TSA-recognized lock. However, it’s recommended to speed up security screening.
So can I just show up with my hard case locked and check them in at the counter?
United just says this on their website:
Packing
To check your firearm, you need to make sure it’s safely packed in a case.
How to pack your firearm
We’ll only accept a firearm as checked baggage if its case follows these policies.
Firearms need to be in a hard-sided case with a lock. The hard-sided case can be placed inside an unlocked, soft-sided bag as long as it’s secure.
The case containing the firearm must be locked when we receive it. The key or combination must always be with you.
You aren’t required to use a TSA-recognized lock. However, it’s recommended to speed up security screening.
So can I just show up with my hard case locked and check them in at the counter?
This post was edited on 10/27/25 at 2:05 pm
8
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:13 pm to TopWaterTiger
I will just tell you that you need a lock in every hole. Also, i now carry 4 tsa locks and 4 non tsa locks as i've had them tell me both are unacceptable and made me purchase the other kind in the airport. Regardless of what the regs are you are at the mercy of the agent on duty. Also had them tell me ammo can't be in the same locked case, which was a disaster because i wasn't planning to check another bag.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:16 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
So can I just show up with my hard case locked and check them in at the counter?
Yep. Cheat code is to pull the foam lining out and line the inside of the case with clothing and boots. You should be able to make a 5-7day hunt with just a hard case and a carry on.
This post was edited on 10/27/25 at 2:17 pm
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:16 pm to TopWaterTiger
quote:
So can I just show up with my hard case locked and check them in at the counter?
Technically yes.
However, there are some caveats. My buddy did this and when he showed up it was locked using 2 locks in 2 of the 4 available holes. He had to leave the airport and go buy 2 more locks. He missed his flight and half a day of hunting.
I'm sure you'll get more stories, but that is one loop hole I know of.
It also seems to depend on which city you are in and how bad of a day the baggage check people are having.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:25 pm to TopWaterTiger
You just need a tsa approved lock in every locking point.
Declare it when you check your luggage, they may make you open the case, they may take you in the back depending on air port.
You sign a piece of paper or 2. Lock you gun up. Pick it up at the luggage counter at the airport at your destination.
It’s fairly painless.
I have hundreds of customers a year that fly with their guns both domestically and into Canada. I send them all the info above and rarely ever have issues.
Declare it when you check your luggage, they may make you open the case, they may take you in the back depending on air port.
You sign a piece of paper or 2. Lock you gun up. Pick it up at the luggage counter at the airport at your destination.
It’s fairly painless.
I have hundreds of customers a year that fly with their guns both domestically and into Canada. I send them all the info above and rarely ever have issues.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 2:56 pm to TopWaterTiger
United was easy to deal with when I flew with my rifle but it’s going to be airport dependent as well. For me, that was Memphis and Austin TX.
I did not and would not suggest using TSA locks. One of the requirements is only you have access to the locks. Also, put an AirTag in your case and make sure your ammo is in its original case if you’re flying with that too.
I did not and would not suggest using TSA locks. One of the requirements is only you have access to the locks. Also, put an AirTag in your case and make sure your ammo is in its original case if you’re flying with that too.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:04 pm to Clyde Tipton
quote:
It also seems to depend on which city you are in and how bad of a day the baggage check people are having.
This…and since the government is shut down and they aren’t getting paid, I’ll doubt that many of them are having a good day!
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:23 pm to Spankum
quote:what on earth leads you to believe that shaniqua at the baggage counter works for the US government? They work for the airlines or 3rd party staffing companies
This…and since the government is shut down and they aren’t getting paid, I’ll doubt that many of them are having a good day!
Posted on 10/27/25 at 5:40 pm to TopWaterTiger
As someone who frequently flies with a shotgun, I will say this… We fly multiple times every year with my son’s shotgun. It is in a metal Americase gun case. We use 2 TSA approved keyed locks, that my son and I both have keys to. Never had a problem with these locks.
You have to declare the gun at the ticket counter. You CANNOT “check into” the flight online when flying with a shotgun. At some airports, they just accept that (after filling out a form) and send the gun on the conveyor to be loaded onto the plane. At other airports, they require us to go to a TSA office to have the contents of the case inspected by agents. Never had an issue with this either.
Where it gets tricky is with the ammo. I never try my luck with flying ammo TO the shoot since it is so much ammo. With that said, we have flown BACK multiple times with 500+ empty hulls, and on our last trip, we came back with 2 flats of factory ammo. One in his checked bag and one in mine. I told the ticket agent about the ammo and she said she would have to ask TSA. The agent came out and told us we were good to go.
What really puckers me up is that you never know how the gun is going to come out at the baggage claim. It’s about 50/50 whether it’s going to come out on the baggage carousel or if we have to pick it up at an office somewhere. I always ask, and the answer is wrong most of the time.
Also, I ALWAYS book direct flights whenever possible. I don’t worry about it so much on a hunting trip with a Winchester or Benelli, but flying with a high end competition shotgun, I worry about it until it’s back in our hands at the final destination!
You have to declare the gun at the ticket counter. You CANNOT “check into” the flight online when flying with a shotgun. At some airports, they just accept that (after filling out a form) and send the gun on the conveyor to be loaded onto the plane. At other airports, they require us to go to a TSA office to have the contents of the case inspected by agents. Never had an issue with this either.
Where it gets tricky is with the ammo. I never try my luck with flying ammo TO the shoot since it is so much ammo. With that said, we have flown BACK multiple times with 500+ empty hulls, and on our last trip, we came back with 2 flats of factory ammo. One in his checked bag and one in mine. I told the ticket agent about the ammo and she said she would have to ask TSA. The agent came out and told us we were good to go.
What really puckers me up is that you never know how the gun is going to come out at the baggage claim. It’s about 50/50 whether it’s going to come out on the baggage carousel or if we have to pick it up at an office somewhere. I always ask, and the answer is wrong most of the time.
Also, I ALWAYS book direct flights whenever possible. I don’t worry about it so much on a hunting trip with a Winchester or Benelli, but flying with a high end competition shotgun, I worry about it until it’s back in our hands at the final destination!
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:32 pm to TopWaterTiger
Super easy. Doing it this weekend. Need a lockable gun case. You pull up at ticket counter they right you a ticket part goes in the case part goes with you. When you get to destination go to your airlines office and they will bring it out to you. No big deal. Have done it over a dozen times.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 6:36 pm to Clyde Tipton
quote:
However, there are some caveats. My buddy did this and when he showed up it was locked using 2 locks in 2 of the 4 available holes. He had to leave the airport and go buy 2 more locks. He missed his flight and half a day of hunting.
Good to know. I only have 2 locks, but now see I need 4 for all 4 holes. Thanks!
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:53 pm to alduckhunter
quote:
It’s about 50/50 whether it’s going to come out on the baggage carousel or if we have to pick it up at an office somewhere. I always ask, and the answer is wrong most of the time.
Do the opposite of what they say, and you’ll be in the correct place most of the time.
Posted on 10/29/25 at 7:01 am to alduckhunter
quote:
Where it gets tricky is with the ammo. I never try my luck with flying ammo TO the shoot since it is so much ammo
+1
Bringing ammo isn’t worth the hassle
Posted on 10/29/25 at 9:27 am to TopWaterTiger
I had more trouble with ammunition than guns. Some airports get weird about how the ammo must be packed. They whine about having the primers protected. I have seen how warehouses handle ammo...
Not sure if they are paranoid or this is a back door method of harassing gun owners.
Not sure if they are paranoid or this is a back door method of harassing gun owners.
Posted on 10/29/25 at 7:05 pm to Rabby
Just made a trip from BR to Idaho with my rifle for an elk hunt. Precheck your gun in the case with the agent at the ticketing counter. No reason to have the case checked as they will verify that the gun is unloaded. I did have my ammo in the case with my rifle. It was in the original box so there was no issue. We did the exact process for the return leaving from Salt Lake with no issues. Once they inspect and have you sign that the gun is unloaded there will be a form you sign and that is kept in the case. Then lock it using all holes. I did use TSA approved locks. Everything went fine, no issue with my scope once I arrived.
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