TSA finds average of 4 guns each day at airports

[nogods]

I have serious concerns about someone who forgets they are armed or forgets their weapon is in their briefcase or luggage.

Perhaps they just aren't responsible enough to possess a weapon.

Perhaps the NRA's firearms safety list should be amended to include, as item number 1, the rule "Always know where your weapon is located. If you don't know where it is located then it isn't of any use to you anyway."

Most passengers caught say they 'forgot' they were carrying a weapon

"I was going to shot the perp, but I forgot where my weapon was...."

[ReconcilerSTL]

Is there a legal way to pack in checked luggage and take your carry piece with you on via air travel? If possible, I'm guessing its airline dependent.

[cz75guy]

I have a friend in federal law enforcement. He's told me that you'd be amazed by the number of guns lost or misplaced by LE - leaving them in a rest room is a big problem

[Phillip Gain]

I have serious concerns about someone who forgets they are armed or forgets their weapon is in their briefcase or luggage.

Perhaps they just aren't responsible enough to possess a weapon.

Perhaps the NRA's firearms safety list should be amended to include, as item number 1, the rule "Always know where your weapon is located. If you don't know where it is located then it isn't of any use to you anyway."

Most passengers caught say they 'forgot' they were carrying a weapon

"I was going to shot the perp, but I forgot where my weapon was...."

Let's put this in perspective.

Each day in the US, approximately 1.5 million people travel by air.

So that would mean that .00026 PERCENT of travelers are either big enough idiots to forget they have a firearm on their person or in their carry-on bag; or big enough idiots to believe they can "sneak it through."

4 out of 1.5 million. That's pretty small potatoes.

[Phillip Gain]

Is there a legal way to pack in checked luggage and take your carry piece with you on via air travel? If possible, I'm guessing its airline dependent.

Passengers are permitted to travel with unloaded guns in their checked luggage when flying, but all firearms must be declared and stored in a locked, hard-sided container. Ammunition must not be in the locked container with the firearm. There are only slight variations in policy between air carriers.

[nogods]

Let's put this in perspective.

Each day in the US, approximately 1.5 million people travel by air.

So that would mean that .00026 PERCENT of travelers are either big enough idiots to forget they have a firearm on their person or in their carry-on bag; or big enough idiots to believe they can "sneak it through."

4 out of 1.5 million. That's pretty small potatoes.

That's the good part. The bad part is that those small potatoes are still idiots who, having proven they can't keep track of their weapons, should consider giving them up voluntarily if not forced to do so by the law.

[B2Tall]

When I'm travelling the last thing I do before I leave is check on the status of all my firearms. I'm going on vacation next month and you can be sure the last thing I do before I walk out my front door is to do an inventory of my gun safe and spin the dial several times.

[NavyLCDR]

Passengers are permitted to travel with unloaded guns in their checked luggage when flying, but all firearms must be declared and stored in a locked, hard-sided container. Ammunition must not be in the locked container with the firearm. There are only slight variations in policy between air carriers.

Once again you are making up requirements that don't exist, at least not in statute. But, I suppose this disclaimer covers it, "There are only slight variations in policy between air carriers." There are very few, like one or two, airlines that won't allow ammuntion to be in the same locked container, and there is no statutory prohibition on ammunition in the same locked container. Thank you again.

If flying with a handgun, I recommend that travellers lock open the slide on the pistol, place the empty magazine(s) next to the pistol, and ammunition in a factory box all in the same hard sided container locked with a non-TSA lock. That way it is very easy for TSA to see the gun, the magazines, and the ammo with clear indication the gun is unloaded AND upon retrieval of the luggage it's easy to grab that one case out of the luggage and load up to carry. This practice is perfectly legal and does not violate any airline regulations of 9 out of 10 airlines. (And if it does violate your particular airline's policy, its easy to just take the box of ammo out of the container with the gun.)

The airline's website should be consulted to determine their policies, but be advised that some airline's website have recommendations which are in violation of Federal regulations such as using a TSA approved lock for the hard sided container, or turning over the keys or combo to TSA if they ask for them.

American Airlines for example:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...e/firearms.jsp

Maximum per case is three rifles/shotguns or five pistols/revolvers, ammunition, shooting mat, noise suppressors, and tools. There is no limit on the amount of cases allowed. Ammunition is limited to 11 lbs./5 kgs. per passenger.

Looks like they are expecting the ammo to be in the same case.

Jet Blue:
http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN...e=obj(2236)#s6

TSA recommends that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container.

Follow that recommendation and you will violate Federal regulations.

Ammunition for the firearm cannot be placed in the same container as the firearm, but may be in the same checked bag as long as everything is packaged properly.

Only an airline policy, not a statutory requirement.

Southwest Airlines:
http://www.southwest.com/html/custom...ggage-pol.html

The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

The TSA website:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1666.shtm

Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above.

However, the TSA website also says this:

Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation.

If you have to take the key back from anyone, then you have broken Federal regulations by giving the key to someone else.


Standing by for Mr. Gain's reply as to what an a$$&*!@ I am....

[Caribou]

We all spend hundreds of dollars to find that perfect holster that is so comfortable that we don't even know we are carrying. Let's talk to these four people it could save millions for our members.

Four per day out of 1.5 million because they are what? Thinking about work or family, in a hurry or had little sleep? How many of them lose their CC permit over this? These are vetted good guys. No one was harmed. No one was endangered. Was it a mistake? Yes. On the spectrum of possible mistakes I am little upset about this one.

So, what do I think should happen? First time, send them back and have them check in the gun. Second time, seize the gun. Third time, well, probably time to think about some repercussions.

Should you ever become so comfortable with your gun that you hardly think about it? Yes. You should be comfortable with carrying it and with its operation. I came close once myself and caught myself before I got to the airport. It is less serious for me as I do not fly on TSA checked flights but still not something I wish to do.

People are imperfect. We should not expect perfection. Like the two recent people who volunteered that they had a gun in NYC, they do not deserve 3.5 years in jail. Good people make mistakes. I have, I learned, I moved on and did better.

[NavyLCDR]

I've disarmed to go into a school function before and locked the gun in the glove box. Then after the direct trip home left the gun in the glovebox. Next morning it's a pretty frantic phone call to make from work, "Honey. Don't be alarmed, but my 'clothing accessory' is in your glovebox, so you might want to discretely place it in a condition that is not, ummmm.... prohibited for it to be in in your vehicle."

We go to a school function probably once a month and now she always asks when we get home, "Got your gun?"

I guess I am not fit to carry a gun and should turn in my CPL immediately. I'll get right on that.