Flying out of BWI w/firearm

**tl_3237** · December 2nd, 2015, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Pilot321

So if you are driving to BWI from PA with your handgun, and separate ammo, and you are pulled over, and for whatever reason searched, the FOPA protects you to the airport? I just don't trust the MD State Police or other MD police that much.

Yes, FOPA would be invocable as an affirmative defense to any tolled state charges, provided you comport with all the other pre-requisites of FOPA transport (18 USC 926A) and your final destination is not MD.

Whether FOPA transport will be invocable AT the airport as you port your firearm afoot to check-in is another gray area (see my post #2 regarding 3rd Circuit ruling).

**MT1** · August 15th, 2018, 09:55 PM

I just returned yesterday from driving my daughter and her car out to Arizona to start her second year at ASU. The process of flying out of Phoenix to Baltimore with a declared firearm was very easy. Southwest Airlines has very basic rules: gun unloaded, hard locked case, ammo stored in a box designed for ammo (original container or MTM style box). When I got to the airport I was told all firearms must go to the full service counter. There I signed and wrote my address on a post card size form stating the gun was unloaded. From there an airline employee escorted me to a TSA screening area. I was asked to watch as they opened my suitcase and swabbed the gun case for explosive residue. After that they put the case back in the suitcase and off it went on a conveyor into the bowels of the luggage underworld. At this point I wondered if I'd ever see it again.

At no time was I asked to unlock or open the hard case. I fully expected TSA to want to verify my gun was unloaded but they did not. The only thing they did that identifies the possibility of a firearm is place a small (1/2" diameter) orange sticker on the airline baggage tag. I suspect the color of the sticker identifies the bag as containing a firearm. I'm sure it means something to airport security, TSA, and baggage handlers but to the average person they would not know.

Once I got to BWI my suitcase came off the luggage conveyer with all the rest and I went on my way.... well, kind of. I did open the suitcase and visually verified the hard case was still locked. Once I got to my car I opened the case and verified all contents were present and relocked it placing the bag in the trunk. I really wanted to open the case immediately in the airport for a quick inventory but wasn't risking getting picked up on a security camera with an open gun case.

Overall, a painless process.

**Gun** · August 16th, 2018, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by MT1

At no time was I asked to unlock or open the hard case. I fully expected TSA to want to verify my gun was unloaded but they did not. The only thing they did that identifies the possibility of a firearm is place a small (1/2" diameter) orange sticker on the airline baggage tag. I suspect the color of the sticker identifies the bag as containing a firearm. I'm sure it means something to airport security, TSA, and baggage handlers but to the average person they would not know.

Well, EVERYBODY knows now, since you posted it.

**MT1** · August 16th, 2018, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Gun

Well, EVERYBODY knows now, since you posted it.

I don't think you have to worry. From what I've seen there aren't many TSA fans out there for feelings to get hurt. I doubt I'm the first to notice and tell others. There is a high probability TSA randomly changes the mode of marking bags with firearms. If not, maybe they will now. But anyway thank you for highlighting it in such a pretty bright blue so those that skimmed past will go back and read my post thinking they missed something important. You're a great American.