So You’re Ready To Fly With Your Firearm?

In 2024, TSA intercepted 6,678 firearms at the checkpoints. There is a correct way to fly with your firearm. For those who have never flown with a firearm I want to help you out with the process. These situations are completely avoidable.

One of the first things you want to do is get a hard side case. The case needs to have latches and lockable with a padlock. Always keep the key to the locks with you. At no time should you give the key to an agent. If the case needs to be opened, you do that yourself. All firearms must be unloaded. If you have a barrel blocking device it might not hurt to use one of those if it does not interfere with putting the firearm in the case. Magazines can (and I would advise) be stored inside the case as well.

I own one of these to transport my pistol(s)

In terms of ammunition, the original packaging is good, but you can also have ammo in a hard-shell case. The ammunition should not be loose and I not in magazines as well. If you are traveling for a class, please be aware that there are limits for the amount (weight limit) you can fly with. Having a trusted ammunition supplier like www.thegunfood.com helped me in my situation. I was able to fly with ammunition in my checked bags but only eleven pounds (11 lbs) per bag. I had a checked suitcase and a checked rifle case. This allowed me to travel with 11 lbs of pistol and rifle ammunition. The rifle ammunition was locked in the case while the pistol ammunition was locked in my suitcase (not in the pistol case). It is a good idea to weigh your luggage and cases as well to get an understanding of the cost and you should know the dimensions of your case depending on the airline restrictions.

These can be found on Amazon

When you arrive at the airport, you will want to go to guest services to declare your firearm(s). Typically, you will need to open the case so they can inspect the firearm and ask you to confirm that they are all unloaded. You will then sign the declaration and place it in the case or suitcase. This process may very slightly depending on the airline and airport but you may be required to take the case(s) to an oversized scanning area, or they will put it on the conveyor behind the counter.

Sign the other side and place in you case

This process can be very simple and going through TSA with a firearm is completely avoidable. When you fly with, please check the state laws for if you can carry or bring the firearms into that state. Even if you have a layover in a state that prohibits firearms, you may find yourself in legal trouble (no layovers are flight to New York). It is on us to know the laws for the state we are traveling to and if we can carry or take firearms to that state, not the airline. You should always check the airline policies yourself to make sure you are following their policies, but you cannot depend on the airline employee to know the policies. Items like PEW POLICIES from https://redhatarmament.com/products/pew-policies-travel-tag-single has every airlines link to their policies. If you follow the TSA policies along with the airline policies, flying with a firearm is not hard at all. I have flown with 7 at one time and had no issues.

See you out on the range! (Or in the air)