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Thread: How Do I Transport My Handgun & Ammunition On A Commercial Airline Or Amtrak Rail

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    Team GunsNet Gold 07/2012 / Super Moderator Gunreference1's Avatar

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    Post How Do I Transport My Handgun & Ammunition On A Commercial Airline Or Amtrak Rail

    Last edited by Gunreference1; 01-13-2019 at 05:59 PM.
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    Senior Member Aggressive Perfector's Avatar

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    Probably a decent topic to sticky for members who like to travel a lot.
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    **Team GunsNet SILVER 12/2014** skorpion's Avatar

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    Flew with a firearm for the first time over the summer. I had zero issues flying with a Glock 19, three magazines, and 100 rounds of ammo on American Airlines. Check in only took a few additional minutes to declare the firearm. Remember that you CANNOT use a generic TSA-issued lock - you must use an approved pad lock that only YOU have access to and you must keep the key on you throughout the entire check-in process and flight.

    Pro tip: Since I had my pistol in a pistol case within my luggage, I used a security cable (the kind with looped ends) to tether and lock the case to the frame of the luggage to reduce the risk of theft. All luggage bags are tracked, but their contents are not.
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    Member Hummer's Avatar

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    Please expand on that internal case and how you did the cable thing. Have you found a suitcase with a "D" ring inside for such?

    For instance what is an approved lock?

    I may be flying some in next few years and I have a Glock 36 inbound which will be my back. Anything you can provide would be helpful I'm sure.
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    **Team GunsNet SILVER 12/2014** skorpion's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hummer View Post
    Please expand on that internal case and how you did the cable thing. Have you found a suitcase with a "D" ring inside for such?

    For instance what is an approved lock?

    I may be flying some in next few years and I have a Glock 36 inbound which will be my back. Anything you can provide would be helpful I'm sure.
    I used a Sig factory lockable pistol case with two keyed padlocks. I wove the cable tether around the internal frame of the suit case (it was behind the inner lining of material), looped it through itself (the cable is looped on both ends), and closed one of the locks through it on the pistol case. You can use any pad lock that doesn't use a generic TSA key (in other words, don't buy a lock at the airport).

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    Team GunsNet Platinum 02/2014 Hatedbysheeple's Avatar

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    I have flown my 1895 Marlin .45-70 lever action to and from Guam several times, as well as select fire 10inch upper m-4's.

    My gun:
    I have a plano hard case with pluck foam. I had 2 padlocks on the case, and had the marlin factory locking mechanism and then another keyed padlock on the gun. I declared and walked it to the luggage screening point. They would open the case and I could tell people that knew guns from ones that didn't if they asked me for the key to the receiver padlock since the chamber is easily visible. I would never let the gun out of my sight unlocked or out of the case.

    Because it was a lever action, and a nice looking one with leather sling and leather shell holder, no less than three TSA workers would finger fuck it while asking me questions like, how old, what caliber, hows Guam blah blah blah.

    The only time anyone freaked out was when I flew through Hawaii, my gun was on the carousel with all the other luggage, which is a no no, then the TSA agent wanted to see my military orders and weapons courier card. When I told her it was my private gun she got real stern and loud and told me to go wait in this little taped of square and to not move from that square until told to do so, and to not touch or attempt to open the rifle case. Then this old TSA guy came over, and he was chill, he had me open the case and didn't ask to unlock the receiver since he could see in the chamber, complimented the rifle and let me go on my way.Then the baggage handler I handed the case to asked for the keys and I told him no, he then threatened to tell TSA I wouldn't give him the keys, I told him to go ahead. Another TSA guy came over asked for the keys, I said I would unlock the case but the case and gun do not leave my sight unlocked. He said he understood and he and a new hire checked my gun, using it as a training moment for the new guy. Then they watched as I locked everything back up gave the case to the baggage handler and went on to my flight.

    I even flew it through Japan, and it was no issue.

    M-4's:

    You need orders, and weapons courier card, you are escorted to the gate and outside to watch it be loaded on the flight, when the plane lands you have to go back outside to receive it and get escorted to your next flight or the exit. In Japan we had to wait for a cop that was allowed to carry a sidearm to escort us through the airport, but not really a hassle.
    Last edited by Hatedbysheeple; 02-05-2016 at 05:19 PM.
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