Flying from HIA to NC. Checking of firearms.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

I well be traveling to NC, leaving in HIA (Harrisburg). NC has reciprocity with PA LTCF so I just wanted to clarify a few points.

I know that in PA you may carry until you enter a secure area. In my case, during check in.

I well be placing my firearm in a hard, locked case.

Does the firearm need to be unloaded?

or could I simply place it holster & all in the case?

When I get to NC, (baggage claim).
Can I place my firearm back on my hip where it belongs immediately (in baggage claim as I could in PA).
Or do I need to be off airport property.

Can anyone provide information on the firearms check in process? I've never needed do check firearms before. Does it need to be placed in other checked luggage? If there is no checked luggage, does a firearm (pistol) count as checked luggage?

[wallyone]

The best thing to do is check directly with your airline. I now the case can't be the cheap plastic thing it came in.There are different views about TSA locks or not
You have to be available to open the case for inspection, Frontier says the gun has to be unloaded but the mags. can be in the same case if taped over.

[Kchristy]

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informat...and-ammunition

Google is your friend.

[Maryland_Shooter]

Check and print TSA regs
Check and print Airline regs

Keep them handy. Some people know the rules, others are clueless

I typically have several bags.

Check all luggage. Gets them in the flow . . . .

Bag #1
Bag #2
Bag #3 - "I have a firearm to declare"

Unloaded, ammo in original boxes is best. Up to 11 lbs of ammo last I traveled.

[donm]

I know that in PA you may carry until you enter a secure area. In my case, during check in.

I well be placing my firearm in a hard, locked case.

Does the firearm need to be unloaded?

or could I simply place it holster & all in the case?

When I get to NC, (baggage claim).
Can I place my firearm back on my hip where it belongs immediately (in baggage claim as I could in PA).
Or do I need to be off airport property.

Can anyone provide information on the firearms check in process?

I've found checking a firearm at MDT (Harrisburg) to be a pretty painless process, but handling a loaded firearm inside an airport will likely result in your leaving in handcuffs. Unload and put it in its case before you enter the airport terminal. Tell the baggage check folks that you want to declare a firearm and they'll ask you to sign a tag that they provide (stating that it is unloaded) and place it in the checked bag. They may or may not ask to look at it. The bag will go straight to TSA for screening and you'll pick it up at baggage claim at the other end. Check both the TSA and airline's websites for info on their regs -- some airlines are pickier than the feds. There will be a section on baggage regs.

And check North Carolina's carry laws carefully. They have been severely restrictive (lots of off-limits places) in the past, but I think have been relaxed somewhat recently. www.handgunlaw.us

[WVBob]

A word of caution in NC, it's a Shall Declare state. If you get pulled over, the first thing you must tell the officer is that you have a firearm, MUST tell.
I got pulled over for a head light being out, told the office, he asked for the gun and then my permit. Went back to his car and wrote the "Fix it in 5 Days" ticket and handed me the paper work and the gun. Said Have a nice day and went back to his car.
No hard time, no A**hole act. He was very cool about it.

[ungawa]

Check and print TSA regs
Check and print Airline regs

Keep them handy. Some people know the rules, others are clueless

I typically have several bags.

Check all luggage. Gets them in the flow . . . .

Bag #1
Bag #2
Bag #3 - "I have a firearm to declare"

Unloaded, ammo in original boxes is best. Up to 11 lbs of ammo last I traveled.

Maryland has it. Check both.

There are no different views about TSA locks, you have to lock your gun with a non-TSA lock. But I usually travel with a single handgun when i fly, and I lock the handgun case non-TSA then but it in my luggage with a TSA lock on the outside which is fine.

Gun must be unloaded. Ammo must be contained. By TSA standards, that means ammo in boxes or in covered/pouched mags, not in uncovered mags and not loose ammo. By Airline standards, some airlines will want the ammo not in the case that holds the gun. For instance, Ammo in luggage but not in handgun case, handgun in handgun case can go in the same luggage with it.

[daschnoz]

Here's one of my posts from earlier in the year.

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/203...ml#post2272742

I've flown out of HIA a couple of times with my pistol. I had no issues. The only thing that is worth mention was the bad attitude I got from one ticket agent who obviously didn't like that I had a gun. He wasn't rude or nasty, he did not give me a hassle; he just seemed bothered by the added procedural stuff required to check a firearm.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

Real time update.

Boarding plane now. Wearing Leigh Valley Open Carry hoodie.

Was open carrying 1911 officers model, with one spare mag.

Had no problems checking my firearm.
Unloaded firearm at check in counter. Placed in hard box.
Unloaded magazines at counter & placed ammo in original box.
Placed magazines in hard box.
Placed ammo in shave kit.
Placed hard case in checked bag.
Us airways. Check in lady was professional, no issues.

[Maryland_Shooter]

Real time update.

Boarding plane now. Wearing Leigh Valley Open Carry hoodie.

Was open carrying 1911 officers model, with one spare mag.

Had no problems checking my firearm.
Unloaded firearm at check in counter. Placed in hard box.
Unloaded magazines at counter & placed ammo in original box.
Placed magazines in hard box.
Placed ammo in shave kit.
Placed hard case in checked bag.
Us airways. Check in lady was professional, no issues.

Sweet. Good job by all. Congrats!