Concealed AZ
Here is everything you need to know before you fly with your firearm.
It is not new news that traveling with a firearm is quite the challenge, heck traveling without a firearm is challenging enough! BUT fortunately there are ways to accomplish this well within the law.
Post 9/11 rules have gotten stricter, but don’t fret transporting your firearms is still a possibility.
TSA Guidelines state:
... you may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.
Contact the TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage. Below you will see the rules and guidelines you will need to abide by when traveling in the sky…
• Customer must be 18 years or older.
• Declare to the Delta representative that you are checking a firearm.
• Declare the existence of a firearm to security personnel if there’s a security checkpoint before the Delta counter.
• All firearms must be declared by the passenger to a Delta representative at the main ticket counter.
• Present firearm(s) unloaded and sign a “Firearms Unloaded” declaration.
• Firearms must be packed in a locked manufacturer’s hard-sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case or a locked hard-sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft-sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
• Maintain entry permits in your possession for the country or countries of destination or transit.
• Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.
• Must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and ensure that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.
• Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, locked container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
• A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
• A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
• The Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock, and may use any brand or type of lock to secure the firearm case (including TSA-recognized locks).
• Firearms may be checked and will count toward the two-piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.
• Must check them with an agent at check-in and declare that you’re traveling with firearms and ammunition.
• Ammunition must be in the original packaging from the manufacturer or in packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition (made of fiber, wood or metal), with a maximum of 11 pounds (5 kgs) per container or customer. Ammunition is not accepted loose or in magazines or clips.
• There is no limit to the number of items you can carry in your rifle, shotgun or pistol case, but bag and oversize / overweight charges may apply.
• Customers may only pack up to five firearms in any case or bag. However, there is no limit on the number of cases or bags they are permitted to check.
• Proof of registration is not required.
• No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried.
• Firearms will be accepted only from a customer who is 18 years of age or older.
• If you’re traveling with a firearm, you must check in to your flight at the airport counter. You won’t be able to check in through the United app, united.com or an airport kiosk. Curbside check-in of a firearm is also not permitted.
• Firearms checked for baggage must not contain dangerous goods or prohibited items, such as but are not limited to: loose ammunition, flammable liquids, black powder, primers, or bear spray.
• We do not allow customers under age 18 to carry on or check a firearm.
• Customers are required to present photo ID or claim checks at the baggage office to retrieve their shotgun or rifle case/box.
• If you are connecting to another carrier with an international destination you will need to claim your firearm(s) and ammunition at the final Alaska Airlines destination and then check it directly with the receiving carrier.
You will want to click through to the specific airline you are traveling with and check any major restrictions. Remember, some airlines do not accept firearms from certain countries & some countries and states have specific laws about transportation as well, so research accordingly. Lastly, if you are traveling with a firearm and do not have CCW Insurance, you may want to look into that ASAP.
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