Anybody ever traveled with a firearm?

[TD2K]

I've read all the rules, seems simple enough. I just wonder how much crap they'll give me.

It has to be unloaded, locked inside a hard case, in a checked bag, and claimed during check-in. Ammo separate, in original packaging or similar, less than 11 pounds. (I know the 11 lb rule because I brought back .380 hollow points from Cabela's in PA when it was non-existent in OK)

I'm going to PA next week solo, would feel a lot better if I could take my 9 along as company.

[deadhead1971]

Driving or flying?

Yea I have travelled with the PM9 (driving not flying).

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

Oklahoma http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/oklahoma.pdf

Looks like PA and OK have reciprocity agreements. If you drive, just stay south of Illinois.

Looks like you are askin' about flying.

[TD2K]

flying. and yes, PA has a reciprocity agreement with OK, already checked that.

[Indigo]

flying. and yes, PA has a reciprocity agreement with OK, already checked that.

I traveled with a checked Kahr on thanksgiving last year. Probably top 3 busiest days at any airport. Followed the guidelines....hard, locked case, ammo packaged, I just advised them, they slapped a sticker on it and I handed it to TSA. Never heard a word. I think as long as you don't bring 6 guns or appear on any terror watch lists you should be fine.

[Ljutic]

I make this trip 4 times a year, but fly through Newark so I don't take anything along with me. If I flew through Philly, I wouldn't hesitate to bring a friend along.

I've traveled extensively with long guns and can confirm that it's a mixed bag with the airports. You will find some are easy and some can be difficult.

[Willieboy]

I have flown with a handgun. In 1985 I flew with a PPK/s. It wasn't a big deal. The gun flew in checked luggage.

[TD2K]

Thanks Willie, but I'm sure things have tightened up a little since '85. lol

[Bawanna]

I'd just stay home. There's nothing in PA you need to go look for. I never been there but I seen pictures on TV. Some rough areas like everywhere else.
Don't risk it. If anything happened to ya, well I'd just go on a spree like locust in a field. Would be dang ugly.

[Tilos]

TD2K:
Every airline has a slightly different take on the rules amd I would suggest visiting the website of the airlines you are flying for theirs.

I lived on the east cost and was working in Portland OR. for 2 years and I flew back/forth with handguns (4) to have something to shoot while in Oregon.

I put them in a $20 dollar plastic case with a lock thru the handle, inside a wheeled, locked suitcase, and cable locked the plastic case to the frame of the suitcase.

The ticket agent never looked inside the plastic case and asked no ammo questions.
The agent carried the suitcase to the TSA screeners with me there.

I asked the TSA screener if I could put another lock on the suitcase and he said yes.
I stayed there until the suitcase went down the belt.

On the other end, 2 TSA agents hovered over me at baggage claim while I waited for my bag.
The weight of the bag felt right when I lifted it off the belt and I opened it to check that the plastic case was still in there.
I didn't open the plastic case though:).

Oh, and I had someone take me to the airport just in case things didn't go well at check in, and I could give the guns back to them.
Once I cleared check in, I called my ride so they could leave the airport.

Tilos

[TD2K]

I'd just stay home. There's nothing in PA you need to go look for. I never been there but I seen pictures on TV. Some rough areas like everywhere else.
Don't risk it. If anything happened to ya, well I'd just go on a spree like locust in a field. Would be dang ugly.

I gotta go, it's for work.

I've gone solo before, but I'd just be more comfortable if was able to take a "friend" along.

[ripley16]

...It has to be unloaded..,

If you travel through Maryland on your way to Pa., the mags need to be empty as well. A loaded mag equals a weapon in the People's Republic of Md.

True story;

How times have changed. When I was in high school, 17 years old I think, my older brother, on leave from the Navy, took me on a cross country trip, Maryland, Tenn. Arizona... headed for Coos Bay Oregon. The Austin Healy he was driving "died" at the ranger station of the Pertified Forest in Arizona. My brother put me on a bus to Phoenix and gave me enough money for a plane ticket home.

I had with me, for protection, my Colt Woodsman. It was in my only luggage, a gym bag, loaded and ready. At the airport, waiting for my plane, I dutifully informed the boarding stewardess that I had a gun in my bag, expecting her to want to stow it with the Captain, or some such other arrangement. All she did was smile and say "OK". It flew with me, in the overhead, to St. Louis and then on to National in Washington D.C.:2eek:

How times have changed.

[TD2K]

I'm flying, and I'm staying within the state of PA. Thanks though!

[Jeremiah/Az]

Just playin' the devils advocate, what if the airport in Pa. is snowed in & it has to land in New Yok(sic) or New Joysy(sic)? Remember the story of the guy moving with a gun in his trunk in N.J. & went to prison? I think he was from Colorado.

[GadsdenGalt]

I hope it is alright to link to another forum. If it is not, I apologize. I found this very helpful.

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202384

[aray]

Just playin' the devils advocate, what if the airport in Pa. is snowed in & it has to land in New Yok(sic) or New Joysy(sic)? Remember the story of the guy moving with a gun in his trunk in N.J. & went to prison? I think he was from Colorado.

Dude's name was Brian Aitken and his story is here: http://reason.com/archives/2010/11/15/brian-aitkens-mistake He was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 7 years in state prison in New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie recently commuted his sentence (but did not issue a full pardon).

In addition to that story check out: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/01/18/traveling-mans-gun-arrest-appealed-supreme-court/ Gregg Revell was flying from Utah to Pennsylvania and checked a gun in baggage. It was legal in Utah, legal in PA, and legally checked on the plane. Through no fault of his own the connecting flight was delayed and he was offloaded into a hotel in Newark, NJ. When he tried to reboard a plane the next morning to complete his flight he was arrested at the New Jersey airport. He claimed protection under the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (“FOPA”), 18 U.S.C. § 926A, which allows gun owners licensed in one state to carry firearms through another state under certain circumstances. He was in jail for 10 days before he was bonded out, courts eventually tossed out the case, but his gun was confiscated for 3 years.

Bottom line is stay the heck away from the 10 crazy states that are still "may" or "no" issue. I know, I live in one of them. Otherwise, you risk being convicted of a felony firearms violation, paying a huge penalty in that state, and probably losing your right to carry even within your own home state due to the felony firearms conviction.

[jlottmc]

Like others have said, it's a mixed bag at the airports. DFW is rather anal, while RDU is cool. I have done it, but was well clear of any of those other places. It was no big deal before during or after 9/11 (DFW being the sole exception). Check the airlines rules and such first, and be ready for plan changes.

[bonjorno2]

U got it, just got back from jersey a few weeks ago with my glock 27 in my checked bag.

[ltxi]

Sadly, I no longer ever take a firearm with me when I travel by commercial passenger air. Too much of a hassle, or potential for a hassle, when wx or whatever else makes it go wrong. Plus as a high mileage traveler, I hate checking luggage and am easily good with carry on for a week.

Guns always with me by ground or non commercial air however and the common PA and Florida personal destinations have handguns pre stashed.

[jocko]

I would worry about a gun being checked in might get stolen very easy to. There are thievs in those baggage areas. and then if you get some anit gun a-hole at the check in cunter she can make your life misearable to.

[MikeyKahr]

and then if you get some anit gun a-hole at the check in cunter she can make your life misearable to.

Line of the night, whether intentional or unintentional!

[Internet Blohard]

Occasionally, you might get someone from TSA staff that doesn't fully understand the rules and who might start giving you grief about this requirement or that. It happens.

I would recommend printing off the rules from the TSA website and having them with you in the event that there is a misunderstanding from TSA, or the airlines, concerning what the rules actually are. That way, no one is operating from their "memory" of the rules, but from the printed copy of the rules themselves.