Guns stolen from Delta checked luggage (flown FNT-MSP-SEA)
Sep 13, 2013, 9:21 am
#1
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Guns stolen from Delta checked luggage (flown FNT-MSP-SEA)
Here is some troublesome news from KING-5 in Seattle, about two weapons stolen from the checked luggage belonging to Ryan Shannon, a former Army Ranger:
KING-5 Television:
Guns stolen from checked luggage
September 10, 2013
A short quote:
KING-5 Television:
Guns stolen from checked luggage
September 10, 2013
A short quote:
Two of Shannon's weapons, a Glock 19 and a Rugger SR 22P, were stolen from his duffle bag that he checked before boarding his Delta Airlines flight. Shannon said he did everything by the book.
“I had my weapons in a lockbox, checked them, cleared through TSA, and then put my lock box back in my luggage. And when I got to my destination they were both gone,” explained Shannon.
Shannon was returning from a trip visiting family in Flint, Michigan and had a lay-over in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He said when he reported the problem to Delta staff, they were less than helpful.
He was asked to fill out an online claim form and leave. That’s not how things work in Ryan’s world.
“In the military, if a weapon is lost, you don't go anywhere until you find it. So that was my instinct. I'm like, I can't leave here until I have my weapon. And they're just like you need to go," said Shannon.
“I had my weapons in a lockbox, checked them, cleared through TSA, and then put my lock box back in my luggage. And when I got to my destination they were both gone,” explained Shannon.
Shannon was returning from a trip visiting family in Flint, Michigan and had a lay-over in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He said when he reported the problem to Delta staff, they were less than helpful.
He was asked to fill out an online claim form and leave. That’s not how things work in Ryan’s world.
“In the military, if a weapon is lost, you don't go anywhere until you find it. So that was my instinct. I'm like, I can't leave here until I have my weapon. And they're just like you need to go," said Shannon.
Sep 13, 2013, 6:12 pm
#3
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Is there a suggestion that DL did something wrong in this situation? The chain of custody of checked luggage involves the TSA, airline personnel and, at many stations, non-airline contracted personnel.
It's great that this guy thinks that he should have waited around for DL to find his guns but...honestly? By this time this guy arrived at his destination those weapons were long gone. Losing a weapon in the military is very different than having a weapon stolen somewhere between three airports and almost 2,000 miles.
Stolen guns are a law enforcement issue, not an issue for DL to fix on the spot.
It's great that this guy thinks that he should have waited around for DL to find his guns but...honestly? By this time this guy arrived at his destination those weapons were long gone. Losing a weapon in the military is very different than having a weapon stolen somewhere between three airports and almost 2,000 miles.
Stolen guns are a law enforcement issue, not an issue for DL to fix on the spot.
Sep 13, 2013, 6:17 pm
#4
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I would have to agree with filing an actual police report (not DL report). I would have no expectation the firearms made it to the next airport, but sure enough would have a police officer's signature on my statement and allow them to escalate with DL/TSA/whoever to attempt to find them.
Sep 13, 2013, 8:34 pm
#5
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I have never traveled with firearms stored in anything smaller than a rifle case. A small pistol case is too easy for light fingered crooks handling the bags along the way to grab and disappear. A rifle case is a lot harder for them to grab. It also has the added advantage of being checked luggage, so the airline is liable if it goes missing.
Last edited by ExitRowOrElse; Sep 13, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Sep 14, 2013, 12:29 am
#6
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I have never traveled with firearms stored in anything smaller than a rifle case. A small pistol case is too easy for light fingered crooks handling the bags along the way to grab and disappear. A rifle case is a lot harder for them to grab. It also has the added advantage of being checked luggage, so the airline is liable if it goes missing.
Sep 14, 2013, 8:42 am
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I would have to agree with filing an actual police report (not DL report). I would have no expectation the firearms made it to the next airport, but sure enough would have a police officer's signature on my statement and allow them to escalate with DL/TSA/whoever to attempt to find them.
Sep 14, 2013, 9:58 am
#8
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And as discussed in the TS&S forum, if anonymous criminals can steal items FROM checked luggage and leave the airport with impunity, unscreened bad guys could arrange to stick things INTO checked luggage. 100% background checking, video, and patdowns of TSA baggage screeners and handling staff would be another good layer of security. But it won't be done because it doesn't add to the public theater aspect of American security, and airlines like Delta find it cheaper to just issue checks when items get pilfered.
Sep 14, 2013, 10:22 am
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Luckily, I never had to check mine. One of the advantages of law enforcement. We were more concerned with keeping track of those we were escorting. Many opportunities for an escape, though most often very brief!!!
Sep 16, 2013, 4:57 am
#10
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I really can't stand people who steal from others. It would make me sick to have my firearms stolen. Especially where they are supposed to be somewhat protected and handled by people with security clearances of some sort...
Sep 16, 2013, 5:06 am
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Sep 16, 2013, 2:37 pm
#12
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I ALWAYS check my firearms case as an independent item.
Stuffing it into another case only complicates any problem that might come up.
Sep 16, 2013, 2:42 pm
#13
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I wonder if this guy is back at it??? From April 2013.... http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle...201462461.html
Sep 16, 2013, 4:00 pm
#14
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Crazy. I travel with guns quite often for matches, and instead of a big shooting bag, I started putting guns into a small pistol case with a lock, then put that into a checked bag, with another lock.
On one occasion I got the lock back where someone tried to get in.
Better idea, let gun owners bring unloaded guns on the plane, and ammo has to be checked.
On one occasion I got the lock back where someone tried to get in.
Better idea, let gun owners bring unloaded guns on the plane, and ammo has to be checked.
Sep 16, 2013, 4:42 pm
#15
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