I need to transport a Winchester shotgun back on AA with me Monday. I've never done it before, and looked up the requirements:
- must be unloaded
(check!)
- must be in locked, hard-sided rifle case
(uncheck...)

So, anyone know where--not specifically in my location, but rather the type of store I need to check (WalMart, KMart, gun shop, etc.)--I can purchase something that the TSA and and airlines will allow me to check, as well as roughly how much I can expect to spend?

I would start with the gun shop as your best bet. Not sure how much you will need to spend, but you will need a gun case that you can lock. Ammo must be separate.

Gun stores, sporting goods stores with a hunting dept and yes, even Wal-Mart. You can spend anywhere from $40-$400 for a case.

Ammo can be inside the same case as a weapon, so long as the ammo is packaged separately ie the ammo is in it's original box or securely packed in an ammo case this but NOT THIS. If you use the original box or the first example ammo case, you can place that inside the shotgun case. Most airlines limit ammo to 11 pounds.

Only once have I had an issue with transporting firearms. I, of course, had heavy-duty locks on the case. No, they weren't the TSA-style locks. The airline TA had an issue with it but I reminded her that not even TSA gets to have unfettered access to firearms and ammunition. Well a TSO wanted me to unlock the case so they could check inspect inside. DUH! They're firearms and they've been declared!! So after a heated argument about them having access to my guns in the secure side of the airport without me present, I demanded they call an airport police officer. Well that took him aback but when I explained to the officer the situation, he said "I don't blame ya!" So he escorted the TSO into the back, observed while they checked the case and then re-locked it, sending it on its way. ^

The last time I checked a shotgun, I bought a cheap (~$12) plastic "hard side" case for it at a gun shop. Anybody could have opened it with a box cutter. I also bought a matched set of padlocks at a hardware store. They were not TSA locks.

The checking procedure will vary, depending on where you're flying. It's supposed to be standardized, but you know how that goes. In the case of the shotgun, they didn't even make me open the case for inspection. But with handguns, I have gone with having to open the gun case and have the presumably untrained ticket agent inspect it to see if it was unloaded, to being told to take the suitcase containing the gun case to the TSA luggage checkpoint, red "FIREARM(S) UNLOADED) tag in hand, and had them put it through the X-ray without the tag being inside. Just give yourself extra time and be prepared to open the case and demonstrate its unloaded state.

Ammunition can be in the original box, but I prefer to place mine in a hardside plastic case. I use the "ammo wallets" made by Case-Gard, and place them in the same case with the gun. They make similar cases for shotgun ammo, but if you're carrying more than five shells, it's probably going to be too big to get into the case with the shotgun. The major factor, according to a friend that is a TSA supervisor, is that the primers must be covered. That's why you can't leave ammo in a semi-auto magazine - the topmost round has the primer exposed.

i transported a .12 guage from PDX to JFK in a duffle bag w/o ammo. No one said anything. I never declared it.

Thanks for the replies. I'll head over to a local gun shop here to see about a case. I just need something for the trip, so the cheaper the better.

As for a "TSA lock," what's special about those vs a padlock or combo lock?

spurg
Appreciate the anecdote, but I need to do this in a way that won't get me fined, detained, or arrested. Labor Day travel is going to be bad enough without me adding to it.

You are truly fortunate. It could have cost you up to $10 grand, or worse. In Denver, a baggage handler was killed by an undeclared firearm in soft sided luggage. The weapon's owner was imprisoned for voluntary manslaughter then bankrupted by the rampy's loved ones. He said he thought the revolver was unloaded too.

I travel with a firearm at least once per month (when I go to certain cities) on business. The other posters are right about one thing, there is no consistency among airline employees in accepting an unloaded, declared handgun.

The TSA locks can be opened by the TSA or anyone else who has the TSA keys.

According to federal law once you check the bag you are the only one allowed access to the locked gun.

Dont ever let the untrained agent put the unloaded firearm (steal me) tag on the outside of your bag or mark anything on the bag in any way identifying it as containing a firearm.

I had one airline agent ask me to prove my gun was unloaded right there at the desk in front of all the passengers behind me. It wasnt enough that I sign the declaration, nor show them the gun. I had to pick up the glock, and rack the slide right there in front of everyone.

Sure got alot of attention....... what a goofball agent!

You can usually get a pretty good hard plastic case for a little under $100.

As mentioned previously, the TSA-approved locks shouldn't be an issue as they are only supposed to open cases with the owner present.

I've had a sore experience with NW, went outbound from LAX with a pistol and ammo and then on return from International Falls, was where I hit the snag. Almost got stranded in MN thanks to inconsistent enforcement of their own firearm policies. I live 15 min away from LAX, I could have run home and gotten another lock box and still have made my flight.

Instead I had to repack my whole bag in front of the rest of the flight (it was a puddle jumper) and the rest of the flight gave me the dirtiest looks.

Then there's TSA who wanted me to remove the cable lock on my pistol so they could "swab for explosives".

Reminds me of an incident at DFW in 2002. A group of Army reservist were being transported to another base and for some reason they had to go through the terminal that day. Of course they had to clear the newly minted TSA checkpoint. The brilliant screeners made the soldiers put their M-16 through the X-Ray machine. I guess they were looking for explosives.

I can empathize with you my friend, but I have to say - I wish I could have seen that. I bet the room got real quiet real quick.

Classic.

Scary thought. When was this?

This thread has focused on the requirements to legally transport firearms as checked baggage on aircraft. However, you must also be absolutely sure that you are allowed to possess the firearm in the local jurisdiction of the airport.

I guarantee that if you show up at JFK or LGA with a handgun that you properly declare at checkin, and that you are NOT licenced to carry in New York City, you will be arrested. Note: It's more convenient to do this at LGA which is adjacent to Rikers Island - the largest jail in the world.

OK. I bought a hard-sided lockable case for ~$25 and purchased a triple, same-keyed, set of padlocks for the case.

Arrived at the airport early, declared it, signed the document, and then the agent asked me to unlock the case so that she could put the form inside. She also asked me to show her that the shotgun was unloaded. I was shocked. I said, "it's a pump action Winchester. It's going to be pretty visible and loud." She said no problem.

So I opened up the case, lifted it out, and pulled that pump back hard and fast. She actually jumped a bit.

TSA had no problem with me locking the case before they scanned it. They said that the agent checking it was enough.

Anyway, I hope it makes it.