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Old Dec 11, 2008, 9:38 am
  #1  
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Flying with a rifle

I'm going to be flying from DCA to ATL next month and needing to take a few firearms with me for a class. Usually I take a handgun (or 2) with me and check it in my luggage per TSA regs. It's inside my bag and it doesn't scream "gun" to baggage handlers. On this trip I'll need to take a rifle, 2-3handguns, and 2 suppressors all packed in a lockable hard sided rifle case. Has anyone ever had any theft issues with a long gun? I'd hate for my case to just walk off because it's a rifle case.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 9:43 am
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What about wrapping the rifle case in a sleeping bag and putting that inside a big duffle bag?
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 9:50 am
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The rifle case is 53.8 x 16.5 x 6.7. That's a big duffel bag!
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 9:55 am
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Take the sawed off shotgun instead?

(Obviously I know nothing about long guns, sorry)
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 9:56 am
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Or the UZI.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:05 am
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Originally Posted by yosithezet
What about wrapping the rifle case in a sleeping bag and putting that inside a big duffle bag?
Originally Posted by tennvol12345
The rifle case is 53.8 x 16.5 x 6.7. That's a big duffel bag!
How about rifle case inside a sleeping bag.. wrapped in a plastic bag.
One of those bags used to wrap car-seats or strollers?
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:09 am
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That might be a bit difficult. Remember I need to open up and show TSA that my firearms are unloaded, then lock the case up. Might make it hard to wrap up the case in a bag and plastic bag.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:18 am
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Originally Posted by tennvol12345
Has anyone ever had any theft issues with a long gun? I'd hate for my case to just walk off because it's a rifle case.
We've never had problems, but then again we've not checked firearms at ATL nor DCA.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:35 am
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Could you Fed-Ex them and avoid the TSA hassle?
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:40 am
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I think that's a no-go. I'm pretty sure firearms can only be sent to a manufacturer (but I might be wrong) via FedEX/UPS. I do know that it's a big no-go to send NFA (National Firearms Act - ie supressors, automatic weapons) to someone other than a dealer or manufacturer.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 11:01 am
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Obviously you'll want to make sure you are at the luggage carousel before it starts up.
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 11:09 am
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Originally Posted by tennvol12345
I'm pretty sure firearms can only be sent to a manufacturer (but I might be wrong) via FedEX/UPS.
You could use FedEx/UPS to send some of the needed items, but not everything.

"A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm."

"The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun."

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

"UPS does not accept automatic weapons, including machine guns, for shipment. "

Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment

Last edited by oklAAhoma; Dec 11, 2008 at 11:21 am
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 4:28 pm
  #13  
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Originally Posted by oklAAhoma
Obviously you'll want to make sure you are at the luggage carousel before it starts up.
Firearms aren't supposed to come out on the luggage carousel.

Lots of misadvice in this thread. There are specific packing & checkin requirements. Check with the airline several days before your departure and be sure you are in compliance.

Looks like the OP has done this before, he's just worried about having to use a case that makes it obvious. Unless the rifle is easily broken down, I'm not sure how that can be avoided.

Last edited by MikeMpls; Dec 11, 2008 at 4:42 pm
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 5:07 pm
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Dupe.

Last edited by oklAAhoma; Dec 11, 2008 at 5:19 pm
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Old Dec 11, 2008, 5:17 pm
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Originally Posted by MikeMpls
Firearms aren't supposed to come out on the luggage carousel.
Then my memory is bad because I could have sworn that in the past we have picked ours up at the carousel.


Originally Posted by MikeMpls
Looks like the OP has done this before, he's just worried about having to use a case that makes it obvious. Unless the rifle is easily broken down, I'm not sure how that can be avoided.
I agree.
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