Flying with firearm - Colorado

[NikeBauer21]

I know I asked this in a necro thread a year or two ago, but I'm going to be flying out to CO in a few weeks and want to make sure my ducks are in a row, and I do everything correctly the first time through.. Last thing I want is my firearm lost or confiscated, or to be arrested.

So I have a pelican case for transport.. I know I need a lock for it, so I'm asking for recommendations on that. But I also need to know the process, as far as informing them at the desk, how exactly to keep it in checked luggage, things like that. I know there was different opinions on physically attaching the case to the exceed luggage somehow and things like that, and also, I'm assuming it's kosher to have the box of ammo in the case with the firearm?

I've done some research before, but it's actually going to happen now soon, and I want to make sure no laws have changed recently or if I'm missing something. I'm just a little nervous my first time through! Step by step is good if you can.. Treat me like I'm stupid, so the more detail the better.. Lol

Thanks!

[lts1ow]

First step IMO, go to your carrier's site and print their firearm rules, and also print the TSA rules.

Gun case has to be locked with a non TSA lock and only you can have the key to it. (I had two standard padlocks on my case) Ammo must be in an "original" box, but I don't think they will know if you have reloaded 40 in a 9mm federal box etc. (I had a few boxes tossed in my checked luggage bag, prepare to have it searched after you check it)

You will have to check in with a person, so skip the kiosks and calmly declare you have a unloaded firearm to declare. When I did it last, they will call TSA and local PD, verify firearm is unloaded, you toss a signed slip in case, and then lock it back up. Then it disappears into the void of the airport luggage area. Getting it on the other end for me again meant finding the special luggage area and claiming my case.

My experience was out of a liberal state so I am sure PA will be much easier.

[Sgt.K]

I flew out of PHL to DFW twice in 2017 (May and Sept), and going to BHM in 2 weeks.

1. Gun case has non-TSA locks (only YOU have key/combination).
2. Ammo in factory boxes or "boxes designed to hold small amounts of ammunition" - essentially, no way for the primers to be contacted while in your luggage. Some airlines will permit loaded mags if the mags are completely encased. Ammo can go in the gun case if there's room. Ammo does not need to be separately locked.
3. Most airlines limit you to 11 pounds (5kg) of ammo per person, though nobody has weighed mine separately from my suitcase. If you're planning on taking 300+ rounds of .45 ACP (I am), you may want to consider other methods of getting ammo to your destination.
4. Present yourself to the check-in counter in person. Calmly state you have firearm(s) to declare. Not one agent even blinked at the statement ('Murrica!). Open your suitcase if the gun case is in it. Open the gun case to show the gun(s) unloaded (4 flights, none of them actually checked, though they were chamber-flagged).
5. The agent will provide a form declaring they're unloaded. Fill it out. Put it in the gun case if the case is going by itself, put it on the case (they have tape) if the case is going in your suitcase. Lock the gun case with your locks. Lock your suitcase with TSA locks.
6. They MAY NOT put anything on the luggage indicating "FIREARMS". They will probably put a red BSO (Baggage Security Office) tag on the bag, so it doesn't go on the conveyor belt at destination. (My first flight to Dallas it came up on the belt anyway.)
7. The agent will walk with you and your bag to the magic curtain where they will have one of the hidden people check in your bag. Wait until you get the go-ahead, just in case they need your bag opened.
8. Then go thru security as normal. At the other end look for BSO. You will probably need ID and baggage tags to retrieve your luggage.
9. Repeat when returning.

• BSO at PHL is past all of the carousels against the far wall.

[NikeBauer21]

Awesome, thanks guys! Is there any advantages to either keeping the case inside the checked suit case or just as itself in my pelican case? I've heard some people say to always lock it in your bag, and others saying it's fine to just send it as is alone..

[JustinR]

A heads up on flying *back* from Colorado if you're flying out of Denver Int'l.

Get there early.

A month ago it took me 90 minutes to get through the bag check line (needed to declare a firearm).

Issue is, instead of you just checking your bag and then being directed to TSA, at DIA they escort you to the TSA station. They call out something that means "gun in bag", then you stand there and wait. And wait. And they call out the code for "gun in bag" again. And you wait, and wait.

And finally some guy in an airport shirt shows up, escorts you to TSA, and then you leave and *he* carries the bag - unaccompanied- to the bag check.

My bag was fine on the other end, but their process is very much not TSA kosher if someone were to call them on it.

[Sgt.K]

Awesome, thanks guys! Is there any advantages to either keeping the case inside the checked suit case or just as itself in my pelican case? I've heard some people say to always lock it in your bag, and others saying it's fine to just send it as is alone..

If your gun case is suitcase sized, just consider how much room you lose in your suitcase and balance it against checked bag fees, because a stand-alone gun case counts as a checked bag. My case for flying just fits a pair of 1911s. Everything else gun related (ammo, mags, tools, parts, cleaning stuff) fits in a plastic Wally World ammo can in the same suitcase.

Also consider weight. Suitcase is probably limited to 50lbs. If you're packing ammo you can go over in a hurry.

[Xringshooter]

Sgt K has it correct. To double check, as said, download the carriers/TSA instructions to review.

If your lockable case is small enough, or your checked bag is large enough, put the gun case in your checked bag. Less eyes of airport workers to see the gun case.

It cannot be stressed enough:

DO NOT USE TSA COMPATIBLE LOCKS, USE COMMERCIAL NON TSA LOCKS AND DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THEY HAVE TO BE GIVEN A KEY. IF SOMEONE DOES, GET A LEO/AIRLINE SUPERVISOR/TSA SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT THAT PERSON.

DO NOT ALLOW ANY AIRPORT WORKER/TSA PUT ANY KIND OF IDENTIFYING MARK/TAG/WHATEVER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BAG YOUR GUN CASE IS IN. AGAIN, IF SOMEONE TRIES TO FORCE THAT TO HAPPEN, IMMEDIATELY REPORT IT TO A LEO/AIRLINE SUPERVISOR/TSA SUPERVISOR.

You probably will have to go to the luggage office to retrieve you bags.

Now, if taking long guns, everyone knows what you are transporting but the locks are the big thing. Make sure it is well secured.

[wanneroo]

When I flew to Colorado with a handgun, I followed the advice above and no issues. Read the airlines and TSA websites to verify everything.

Denver can be slow at times, so not a bad idea to get there early on the return.

[NikeBauer21]

A heads up on flying *back* from Colorado if you're flying out of Denver Int'l.

Get there early.

A month ago it took me 90 minutes to get through the bag check line (needed to declare a firearm).

Issue is, instead of you just checking your bag and then being directed to TSA, at DIA they escort you to the TSA station. They call out something that means "gun in bag", then you stand there and wait. And wait. And they call out the code for "gun in bag" again. And you wait, and wait.

And finally some guy in an airport shirt shows up, escorts you to TSA, and then you leave and *he* carries the bag - unaccompanied- to the bag check.

My bag was fine on the other end, but their process is very much not TSA kosher if someone were to call them on it.

Yikes... Makes me want to leave it out at my in laws just to carry when Im out to prevent the taking it back and forth lol

[jthrelf]

I do second Denver being a bit slow because their firearm check in procedure is a bit different than other airports I've flown out of. No issues at all, they just make you walk around a bit back and forth to the TSA office if I remember correctly.

Just give yourself a bit of extra time and you'll be fine.