Advice for checking in firearm

Last time I flew with a firearm was before 9/11 from Miami, Fl. to Billings, Montana to hunt...was pretty painless. ID and my ticket was what they asked for, the case had to be FAA approved and a lock provided. They wrapped the case in a yellow tape that stated "unloaded firearm" over the latches and the lock. When I picked up my luggage at the carrosel, I had to go to a pick-up window and sign for the case. I didnt dare to open it in the airport even though I was in a very gun friendly environment but did so @ the rental car joint. Hope it works out for ya...no reason it shouldnt.

 

Make it easy on yourself, call the TSA and ask them, they'll tell you exactly what they require.

Read this too: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

 

They cannot make you submit your SSN...and it must say optional if it is on the form,

just the way it's optional on the ATF 4473 form when you buy a firearm...if that's all

you are worried about...

 

I think he meant serial number???

 

You can send it by FFL (NY) to FFL (FL) to avoid all the hassles.. And you can send it right away..

 

Keep in mind the lock should NOT be a TSA lock.

 

Thanks for posting your experience. I'll be traveling with firearm soon for the first time. This is good to know.

That vintage Hoppes kit is something else!

 

Its pretty easy stuff keep in mind many airlines require u to declare during ticket purchase, even online

 

Nice Savage lever-action! What caliber? .243 was the most popular. They are great guns and becoming more desirable, hang on to it.

 

Thanks for posting the experience. I'm sure more than a few people will find that helpful. As an aside, I keep a list of SNs on my smartphone in a password protected app called Safe Note.

 

Personally I would have the gun shipped via FFL to my destination. Might take some extra time and planning to work out, but it's worth it in my opinion. I don't trust the TSA. I don't like them knowing that I own firearms. And I especially believe that a hard sided gun case marked "firearm" all over it is an open invitation for something to go missing.

 

I basically refuse to fly any more. I won't get fondled and I don't like or trust the full body scanners. Insufficient study time before they put them out and TSA's own "safety" inspections have found some of them to be putting out more than the specified amount of radiation.

If I had to fly with a firearm, as long as it was from and to gun friendly states, I'd take it with me. If it were CA, NY, NJ, IL or MA, I'd ship it. After the stories of people getting arrested in NY, including that guy who had declared his firearm on the flight and ended up getting arrested at LaGuardia despite supposedly doing everything right, I just wouldn't be willing to risk it.