Can You Fly on a Plane with a Firearm?… Yes! Here is How You Do It
Travis Olander 11.01.23
Before we jump into this, it’s important to clear something up: federal regulations say that you can check a firearm in your baggage by following certain steps – which we’ll cover here – but some state laws vary. The Firearm Owners Protection Act is supposed to allow gun owners to travel through states with a legally possessed firearm, even if that firearm is illegal in that state, under a provision called the Safe Passage Act. But in spite of this, You could still potentially face penalties, or be temporarily detained and questioned by some unfriendly authorities, if you fly into a state with restrictions on the guns you’re traveling with. That includes connecting flights. Yes, it’s terrible, but some gun owners have faced hurdles for flying with perfectly legal firearms and making connecting flights in restrictive states like New York.
Travel and Firearm Coverage on AllOutdoor
In short, always check the local and state laws of all locales you plan on visiting – even those wherein you may simply sit in the airport waiting for your next flight. With that out of the way, let’s answer the common questions and bust some myths. Then we’ll go over how to properly store your guns and declare them at your departure for air travel.
Easy! You can store your firearms inside a locking hard case. Of course, your case needs to be able to withstand the rigors of air travel and it must be able to withstand basic handling. That means no flimsy, $20 gun cases that you could easily pry open, or break the latches.
A Pelican case, like the Vault V200 Handgun Case, or any similar locking hard case sets the standard for what is considered air travel-worthy.
Rifle cases are no different. Condition1’s Hard-Shell Long Gun Cases are great options. The TSA spells out some firearm and ammo transportation guidelines, but here’s the gist:
The TSA takes these guidelines seriously. If you show up and have even a single loose round bouncing around in your gun case, you’re probably going to miss your flight and you could even be on the hook for a $10,000 fine, if not jail time. Besides storing ammo and guns in separate locking containers, there are some extra guidelines to follow when it comes to ammo, too:
Beyond these requirements, here are some tips and tricks you should consider when traveling with guns and ammo. This can make your travel easier and worry-free.
Did you know Pelican makes rugged carry-on cases for your other gear? Check out our review of the Pelican 1535 Rolling Carry-On Case.
