Traveling by commercial air with a pistol

[gspgundog]

I will be flying by air later this year to Va with a pistol but will be landing in DC. My first question is what is the procedure when checking in, can I have ammo in the same locked case with my pistol in my locked and checked bag. Once I land and claim my bag will I have any problems driving in to Va from DC's finest
Thanks

[BIGJOHN621]

Ok, you won't be landing in DC, I believe. Reagan and Dulles are in VA and BWI is in MD so, it will work in your favor if you are in VA. Be very careful, and research the statutes yourself as DC has very strict possession laws on handguns, and any violation is a federal felony. MD is almost as bad if you are going in and out of BWI.

Otherwise, flying is no issue. Check in at the counter are declare your firearm. Keep it in a locked case with a non TSA lock and the ammunition in a factory box. Check with your airline for their packing regulations as they all do it slightly differently with the ammo transport piece.

One more warning. Look up the statutes for handgun possession in DC. As far as I can read, it is illegal but I am not an attorney. I'd hate to not hear back from you for a few years.

[McNamara]

When I travel with my firearms, I always print out the airline's regulations from thier website, and also go to the TSA website and print theirs. And print this out the evening before you fly so it is up to date. If you get questioned, you have the proof from thier website to back you up. Some of these airline folks are not really up to speed on firearms. Get a good hard case, and a lock. The keys must be with you at all times. Make sure the firearm is empty. Ammo must not be in the same locked case. It can be in the original container that it was sold in. No loose ammo. Here is a snippet of what I typed up for my sister-in-law when she brought a gun down here.
Traveling with a Firearm
• Go to ticket counter, check in at kiosk.
• When at the ticket counter, tell the agent that you have a firearm to declare, in your checked luggage.
• They will have you fill out a form, that has to travel with the firearm.
• They will direct you to a TSA agent who will inspect the firearm, and your checked baggage, then they will cart it away for you.
Packing the firearm
• Use the plastic case I sent you. Make sure all ammunition is removed.
• Make sure the magazine is removed from the firearm and nothing is in the chamber.
• Both the firearm and the magazine must be in the locked plastic case.
• The padlock must be on the case and locked.
• Keep the keys with you at all times.

Hope this helps you. Safe travels!

[Tucker's Mom]

You live in Illinois...that is already a question. I believe you are not allowed to be travelling with your gun over there? Enlighten me. I am serious.

[Tripletap]

Washington D.C. Code
22-4504.02. Lawful transportation of firearms.
(a) Any person who is not otherwise prohibited by the law from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be permitted to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm if the firearm is transported in accordance with this section. (b)(1) If the transportation of the firearm is by a vehicle, the firearm shall be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported shall be readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the transporting vehicle.
(2) If the transporting vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console, and the firearm shall be unloaded.
(c) If the transportation of the firearm is in a manner other than in a vehicle, the firearm shall be:
(1) Unloaded;
(2) Inside a locked container; and
(3) Separate from any ammunition.




And as far as VA goes....


18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.
A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; (ii) any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, machete, razor, slingshot, spring stick, metal knucks, or blackjack; (iii) any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain; (iv) any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart; or (v) any weapon of like kind as those enumerated in this subsection, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second violation of this section or a conviction under this section subsequent to any conviction under any substantially similar ordinance of any county, city, or town shall be punishable as a Class 6 felony, and a third or subsequent such violation shall be punishable as a Class 5 felony. For the purpose of this section, a weapon shall be deemed to be hidden from common observation when it is observable but is of such deceptive appearance as to disguise the weapon's true nature.


Hope this helps a little.

[NavyLCDR]

Ammo must not be in the same locked case.

Not always true. Depends on the airline which is company policy only, not a matter of law.

49 CFR 1540.111 is the actual Federal regulation:
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

(c) In checked baggage. A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under §1562.23 of this chapter:
(1) Any loaded firearm(s).
(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless—
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is unloaded;
(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and
(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(d) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm. Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.

[BIGJOHN621]

Washington D.C. Code
22-4504.02. Lawful transportation of firearms.
(a) Any person who is not otherwise prohibited by the law from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be permitted to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry the firearm if the firearm is transported in accordance with this section. (b)(1) If the transportation of the firearm is by a vehicle, the firearm shall be unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported shall be readily accessible or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the transporting vehicle.
(2) If the transporting vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the driver's compartment, the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console, and the firearm shall be unloaded.
(c) If the transportation of the firearm is in a manner other than in a vehicle, the firearm shall be:
(1) Unloaded;
(2) Inside a locked container; and
(3) Separate from any ammunition.

Here is the question: Can an outsider / non-LEO POSSESS a handgun or firearm that is not registered with the DC Metro Police, and a permit issued for the same. Based on my research, the answer is no, and possession of an unregistered firearm within Washington DC proper is a felony.

§ 22-4504.01. Authority to Carry Firearm in Certain Places and for Certain Purposes.
Notwithstanding any other law, a person holding a valid registration for a firearm may carry the firearm:
(1) Within the registrant's home;
(2) While it is being used for lawful recreational purposes;
(3) While it is kept at the registrant's place of business; or
(4) While it is being transported for a lawful purpose as expressly authorized by District or federal statute and in accordance with the requirements of that statute.

The key phrase is "holding a valid registration". I don't believe an outsider can possess a firearm in DC unless afforded protection under the FOPA for travel through the District without stopping. Staying in a Washington DC hotel with a firearm seems to be a violation of the law.