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Started By
Message
Traveling with firearm-DCA to DAL
Posted on 12/20/18 at 2:51 pm
Posted on 12/20/18 at 2:51 pm
I come to the OB wanting to know if I can travel with a firearm from Reagan to Dallas Love Field without jumping through hoops. Several years ago my mother in law won an AR15 in a raffle and I have finally convinced her to let me bring it home from the holidays. I have never traveled with a firearm and want to make sure I do this properly if I end up taking it. Any suggestions or information is appreciated.
I have already looked up the local laws and TSA rules, but just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Guess I'm being overly paranoid about it.
I have already looked up the local laws and TSA rules, but just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Guess I'm being overly paranoid about it.
8
Posted on 12/20/18 at 3:00 pm to tiger rag 93
I really don't think you can take an AR through DC.
ETA: That being said, you should call the DCA airport police and ask but you would likely be better off shipping it to an FFL through another FFL
ETA: That being said, you should call the DCA airport police and ask but you would likely be better off shipping it to an FFL through another FFL
This post was edited on 12/20/18 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 12/20/18 at 3:03 pm to bbvdd
Everything I've read is that DCA is in Virginia so DC gun laws don't apply. So just have to avoid going through DC on the way to the airport. Could be wrong though.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 3:07 pm to tiger rag 93
If you can travel with it you will need a very good hard sided gun case. You will then need to check it/declare it prior to your flight.
I've never flown with a gun so I don't know the details on how to do that.
I've never flown with a gun so I don't know the details on how to do that.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 3:10 pm to tiger rag 93
quote:
DCA is in Virginia so DC gun laws don't apply
This is correct.
You have to declare the gun when you check your bags. You'll fill out a form. Be sure to have an appropriate case as allowed by TSA and follow their procedure on locks, etc...
While you're technically allowed to travel with the ammo in the case with the AR, I would avoid it and just buy ammo in TX.
All of that said, you technically need to transfer the firearm through an FFL if she is giving it to you (as opposed to if you're just borrowing it - and TSA won't know regardless) as firearm transfers across state lines require this.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 6:07 pm to tiger rag 93
I have flown a lot with my AR and EDC. Both Dallas airports, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, etc. Flown Southwest, Delta, United.
Get you a hard shell pelican case with the TSA locks built into the case (most cases already have them, but ask anyways).
I've never flown with ammo, always bought and used where I was at.
Wheel your case up to the bag check stand of whichever airline you are flying. You have to fill out a short declaration form and put half in the case. Sometimes they ask to verify the gun isn't loaded but not all.
When you get to your destination you will have to go to the airlines manned baggage claim and show ID to retrieve your gun.
I always left a couple business cards in the case in case it got lost.
Was always easy to do, just takes a little longer once you arrive at your destination.
Get you a hard shell pelican case with the TSA locks built into the case (most cases already have them, but ask anyways).
I've never flown with ammo, always bought and used where I was at.
Wheel your case up to the bag check stand of whichever airline you are flying. You have to fill out a short declaration form and put half in the case. Sometimes they ask to verify the gun isn't loaded but not all.
When you get to your destination you will have to go to the airlines manned baggage claim and show ID to retrieve your gun.
I always left a couple business cards in the case in case it got lost.
Was always easy to do, just takes a little longer once you arrive at your destination.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 8:27 pm to tiger rag 93
Like others have said, this isn’t a big deal and you will be fine. To help ease your mind military guys fly in and out of Regan all the time with M-4s in hardsided pelican cases. Everyone is pretty used to that, so I’d recommend picking up a pelican and blending in that way if you can.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 8:37 pm to JamalSanders
quote:
Get you a hard shell pelican case with the TSA locks built into the case (most cases already have them, but ask anyways).
Exactly. My nephew took some guns that have been passed down through our family back to Virginia the last time he visited us.
Just do everything Jamal says here, and you'll be fine.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 8:47 pm to tiger rag 93
Check the airline and TSA websites for exact info.
Usually a hard side case with locks. Declare firearm with gate agent, they will take it or tell you where to take it. TSA will inspect it, lock it up, and send it to baggage.
When you land it will likely be in the airlines baggage area or large item pick up in lieu of the regular baggage carousels.
I flew from BTR to DCA with an AR several years ago. It’s really not a big deal.
Usually a hard side case with locks. Declare firearm with gate agent, they will take it or tell you where to take it. TSA will inspect it, lock it up, and send it to baggage.
When you land it will likely be in the airlines baggage area or large item pick up in lieu of the regular baggage carousels.
I flew from BTR to DCA with an AR several years ago. It’s really not a big deal.
Posted on 12/20/18 at 9:02 pm to tiger rag 93
You will be fine but if you are nervous I would break the gun down and separate the upper and the lower. That should put all anxieties to rest.
Posted on 12/21/18 at 8:02 am to RickfromArizona
quote:
You will be fine but if you are nervous I would break the gun down and separate the upper and the lower. That should put all anxieties to rest.
Completely unnecessary. Over half the times I've flown with one they didn't even ask to see the gun and only once has tsa even opened the case during screening.
Posted on 12/21/18 at 9:39 am to tiger rag 93
I flew this year NOLA to LAX then SFO to NOLA...
NOLA was no problem...fill out form, show them locked hard case, hand it over.
SFO was more intensive, but still no problem...fill out form, then TSA came and took me to the side. They thoroughly searched my bag and swabbed for explosives (which came back positive which resulted in opening EVERYTHING in the suitcase). However, the agents were friendly and explained everything they were doing. Took about 20 minutes longer than NOLA but overall no big deal.
FYI I was carrying a Ruger LCR, but had it packed in a Springfield XDM case that had a large "NOT LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA" sticker on the bottom...not my brightest moment.
NOLA was no problem...fill out form, show them locked hard case, hand it over.
SFO was more intensive, but still no problem...fill out form, then TSA came and took me to the side. They thoroughly searched my bag and swabbed for explosives (which came back positive which resulted in opening EVERYTHING in the suitcase). However, the agents were friendly and explained everything they were doing. Took about 20 minutes longer than NOLA but overall no big deal.
FYI I was carrying a Ruger LCR, but had it packed in a Springfield XDM case that had a large "NOT LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA" sticker on the bottom...not my brightest moment.
Posted on 12/21/18 at 10:13 am to tiger rag 93
FWIW I’ve flown out of DCA with AR’s multiple times. Zero questions.
Don’t listen to the idiots who say to use TSA locks. Those are not allowed for firearms and TSA will not accept them as locks for gun cases. You are supposed to be the only one who has a key/combo.
Here are the locks I use on my pelican 1750 LINK
Don’t listen to the idiots who say to use TSA locks. Those are not allowed for firearms and TSA will not accept them as locks for gun cases. You are supposed to be the only one who has a key/combo.
Here are the locks I use on my pelican 1750 LINK
Posted on 12/21/18 at 3:33 pm to tiger rag 93
Call the TSA, they will tell you everything.
Some airports vary on how they handle stuff. What does seem consistent is a hard shell case that can lock thoroughly so that it can not be pried open at all. Magazine out. Unloaded (obviously). But as far as DCA? man, idk. I wouldn't leave it to the OB to answer that. Call TSA and find out everything you need to know yourself.
pro-tip, do not buy TSA compliant locks. get your own locks that are unable to be opened by tsa's universal keys.
*edit*
or if you think u may buy it from her, just fedex/ups it to destination address.
Some airports vary on how they handle stuff. What does seem consistent is a hard shell case that can lock thoroughly so that it can not be pried open at all. Magazine out. Unloaded (obviously). But as far as DCA? man, idk. I wouldn't leave it to the OB to answer that. Call TSA and find out everything you need to know yourself.
pro-tip, do not buy TSA compliant locks. get your own locks that are unable to be opened by tsa's universal keys.
*edit*
or if you think u may buy it from her, just fedex/ups it to destination address.
This post was edited on 12/21/18 at 3:34 pm
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