Checking Firearms questions
 

I'm going to be checking some shotguns in a few weeks and haven't done it before. I have a few questions:

TSA Says:
QUESTION 1: So they're saying you should NOT use TSA locks? There's actually a case on the market that integrates TSA locks into the design but does not provide for another way to lock the case.

QUESTION 2: How much longer does this usually take? That is, how much further in advance should I be showing up to the airport?

QUESTION 3: Since I have yet to purchase a case, does anyone have any suggestions for multi-gun travel cases, or even just things to look for/look out for? Between McBride's, Cabela's and other good shops in the area, I shouldn't have a problem laying my hand on just about anything.

Unless I read the law incorrectly (which is a distinct possibility; I'm not a lawyer), it would be illegal to use a TSA lock, and hence such a case, since the TSOs would have the key:

From § 1544.203 (f):

I'd recommend padlocks. I'd also recommend running cable locks.

On a semi-related note, at BUF, TSA is in the basement. The check in agent had no idea how to notify them that a declared firearm was in the bag (it was a pistol) so she taped a piece of paper on the bag that said "DECLARED GUN" and sent it on it's way. I was oh so pleased with that.

What SMF TSO said... and a second ^ for SKB cases....although I must say I just use my Samsonite hard shell suitcase.. which has the added advantage of not looking like a gun case!:D

I've travelled to/around the USA numerous times with guns (generally 2 pistols + a rifle and shotgun) and never had any dramas with the TSA folks...

You MAY have some check in staff who are unsure/unhappy about it.. but that happens less often these days (compared to say 1997 when I started travellling for competitions).. seems there is more training provided these days????

I just ensure I get there EARLY. Check in staff that are not busy/harried are much better to deal with when you have something "unusual" like "restricted goods"...

Have a good trip!

As I read it the law seems to make it illegal for an airline to allow you to check a pistol if you've given the TSA the combo to open the lock. You'd have to change the combination after opening it for the TSA.

I guess it's because of observations like this that people tell me I should be a lawyer. :D

Thanks for all the responses. I've got 4 keyed-alike mid-size master locks that would be good for this. Meanwhile, I'm off to the gun shops tomorrow.

Shopping Trip!
 

So here's my report from Cabela's (and from McBride's, but their selection was very limited, so I just headed out to Cabela's).

I was looking for a case that held at least two long guns (>40") without breakdown, was lockable, flight-proof/ready, and had wheels. On top of that, I'd prefer that it not be so heavy that I have to pay extra if I some day have no status to get me that extra little wiggle room on weight.

Cabela's had a lot of hard cases, but there were really only 4 (more with some variations on models) that met all those descriptions:

SKB: I like everything about the SKB cases (they had a 2 gun and 4 gun case) except the locking mechanism. I mentioned previously that Cabela's had a case that had TSA approved locks but no other way to lock it -- turns out this is it. It's a hard molded plastic case with 4 latches running down the front. Two of these latches have integrated TSA approved locks and the other two don't lock at all. In addition, there's no secondary hasp or any other way to lock the case other than the TSA locks.

Pelican Case: This is actually the case I bought (model 1750) (I already use a few Pelican cases at the office for traveling with AV and computer equipment). The foam for the Pelican case isn't as good as the others (flat instead of egg crate -- it seems to me the egg crate might prevent the weapons from shifting in the case better -- then again the foam that is provided is extremely tight, so maybe that's all you need to prevent slipping), but all of its other features are great: watertight seal, low profile, good durable handles, 4 strong latches down the front, extremely durable injection molded plastic with rounded corners to prevent anything from getting bashed in. Best of all, it has two integrated lock hasps with no moving parts -- they're simply parts of the flange outside the seal but protected by the adjacent latch and reinforced with aluminum. On top of that, I found when I got home that the flat wide form factor allowed me to fit 3 shotguns (one is admittedly a small .410) plus a few choke tubes, two small handguns and an extra clip. That's more than I realistically plan to pack when traveling, but that comes in at under 45 lbs, with locks.

Flight Proof: This definitely had the appearance of being the strongest. This case was a mixed media, if you will. Some hard material of indeterminate nature on the sides (plastic; vinyl covered fiberboard), with aluminum beaded edges and chrome-balled corners (think of the equipment cases from touring rock shows). They even had the butterfly closures with built in hasps and recessed spring-loaded handles. All in all, this was a really nice case. But it also weighted about 40 lbs for the single gun model they had in stock. Even if the two-gun model weighed the same, you're looking at >50 lbs when packed.

Cabela's Bullet Proof: This case was alright. It was all aluminum with each of the two halves being formed from single sheets, cut, bent, and welded to form the case. The biggest problems I had with this were (1) the corners which the case looked destined to be dropped on and which would surely have then knocked the case out of alignment, and (2) the hardware, all of which was riveted on and none of which looked all that substantial (latches, hinges, and handles).

Here are the 4, in the order reviewed:

SKB:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...772&id=0005619

Pelican:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...=cat20772&rid=

Flight Proof:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...772&id=0037552

Bullet Proof:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...772&id=0026824

the tsa thinks i would give them the combination? are they f*cking nutz (no comments please ;)). there is no way on goddess' green earth* that i would give them the combination so that my firearm would magically disappear before i rec'd my checked luggage at my destination. if i had to use a combination lock, i would open the lock in front of them (but hiding the combination similar to my pin at an atm). if they asked for the combination, i would tell them the above reason why i won't and this i would escalate as far as i could and yes, this would be an instance where i would not fly if i had to even remotely give the the tsa the smallest "out" to steal (and of all things a firearm)



*yes, god is a woman ;)

FWIW, one of our resident TSOs here has stated that they are supposed to inspect the guns in your presence (see the end of this thread). That doesn't mean that they will, but they are apparently supposed to.

i agree-checked firearms should be inspected in front of the pax before the bag is sent on its way but what i object to is giving the combination to the tsa employee as now they have the combination once the bag is now on its way. it's a dual-control thing with me. yes, i want the firearm inspected but i won't release the combo to them. i will open open the lock for them or hand the bag to them unlocked so that they can open it and inspect. after the inspection, i place the lock back on the bag in the tsa's presence, the secure the lock in their presence, have the secured lock verified by the tsa and then bag is sent on its way.

hope that makes sense and perhaps it was too much wine with dinner last night and not enough coffee this morning ;)

But, it would be unlawful for a TSO to steal a firearm because that would mean that they would have a firearm on the premise. You heard what happened to the TSO in DEN that had the firearm on him...he got fired, errr...reprimanded!

Sort of a slap on his gun toting wrist...:rolleyes:

You won't have any trouble, as long as you print out your airlines regulations about checking unloaded firearms and have them with you. You may run into the CSR at the ticket counter who is uninformed, but adamant about his/her interpretation of the rules.

Rule #1 - Confirm that you are permitted to possess the firearm legally at your destination.
Rule #2 - Make sure that firearm is unloaded before entering the terminal. If a ticket agent asks you to prove that the firearm is unloaded, you may have to display an open breech, empty magazine or the like.

If you are bringing ammo, be sure that you bring less than 11 pounds of it, in its original packaging or a fiber, plastic or metal box designed to hold cartridges. You may not be permitted to pack the ammo in the hard case containing the firearm if the ticket agent says you can't. You will then have to put the ammo in another checked bag. Don't argue if you can avoid it.

Rule #3 put a padlock on the case with your weapon, but not a TSA lock. You must retain the key. Go with the skycap or airline representative to the screening point if permitted, watch your firearm get xrayed, then return to the ticket counter with your firearm to see it disappear on the belt.

Rule #4 don't allow the agent to affix the "Unloaded Firearm" card on the outside of your luggage. They are to include the card with the firearm.

I travel with handguns and semi-automatic rifles routinely. When asked by a civilian what I have in my long gun case, I tell them an electric guitar. That way they don't ask any more stupid questions.

Good luck and happy hunting. . .