Peter Greenberg: Carrying Firearms on Airplanes

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2008-09-12

Can you tell me the rules for carrying firearms on domestic flights?
-Dwayne, Decatur, Ill.

Firearms and ammunition are allowed on most flights, but in checked baggage only. You must follow the Transportation Security Administration policies as well as your specific airlines' regulations, which may be more stringent, so make sure to check ahead of time. If you do decide to travel internationally, check out your destination airport's regulations as well.

BB guns, compressed air guns (without the compressed air cylinder attached), flare guns, gun lighters, pellet guns, starter pistols, and gun parts are allowed in checked baggage if they are declared at check-in, but black powder, percussion caps used with black powder type firearms or flares are not allowed in any case.

Guns must be unloaded, in a hard-sided locked container. You should keep the key with you so you can provide it or the combination to the security officer during screening and take it back after your package is cleared. The container must be opened, and if it is forced open it will not be placed on the plane.

As for firearm ammunition, it too must be declared at check-in. It must be packed in fiber (cardboard), wood or metal boxes, or other specifically designed small ammunition packaging and can then be placed in the same container as the firearm. You can use magazines or clips for packing ammunition if  they are placed in a holster or something which will enclose the ammunition completely.

These TSA guidelines are strictly enforced--even fake guns must be in checked baggage--so be careful to follow them closely or you may end up paying up to a $10,000 fine and spending some time in criminal court!