Holiday Travel Tips - with your gun

Holiday Travel Tips

As we pack up and head out to visit family for the holidays, here are some important travel tips for gun owners and concealed carriers.

Air Travel
If you are flying, be sure to consult the TSA regulations related to flying with a firearm. Your firearms must be in a hard, locked case that cannot be pried open. If you have a flimsy plastic case with a single lock, check to see if you can pry the case open enough to touch the gun. If you can, the case will not be allowed on the plane. You can carry up to 11 pounds of ammo as well, so long as it is packed in a cardboard or plastic box. The ammo does not have to be locked. You can carry any number of magazines, but the magazines must be empty. 

Also, consult with your airline so you know what their requirements are. 

Declare Your Firearms
Remember that you cannot check-in in advance. You will need to get in line at the counter and declare that you have a firearm in your luggage. Simply tell the clerk you are declaring a firearm. You don’t need a permit or any other information. The clerk should know what to do to process your request. 

Different Airports/Airlines Handle You Differently
Be aware that different airports and airlines handle concealed carry differently. For example, flying American Airlines out of Charlotte-Douglas, the lady at the counter simply asked me to open my suitcase so she could see that the firearm was locked securely. In Dallas, they pulled me aside and called a TSA agent to come inspect the gun. At Love Field and Midland-Odessa, flying Southwest, they asked me to open the case at the ticket counter and that was it. US Air out of Dallas was a nightmare. The lady at the counter had no idea what to do. She finally sent me to the inspection area, which is located between two security checkpoints, tucked into a corner behind a screen. I walked past it twice and almost missed my flight. 

Allow Plenty of Time
It’s required that you be aboard any domestic flight 30 minutes prior to departure. To get there you need to allow plenty of time for parking, checking in, security checkpoints, and then getting to your gate. Since you’re travelling during the holiday season, allow yourself even more time. It’s going to be crazy, so plan ahead. Also, because you have an extra step of declaring a firearm (and possible inspection), you should allow even more time. I usually allow two hours before the flight on a normal travel day with a gun. For holiday travel, depending upon the airport, double that. 

Don’t Put the Declaration in the Case
You will be asked to sign a declaration form that will be placed inside your luggage with the gun. Make sure the person at the ticket counter does not close the declaration inside your gun case. If the bag is pulled for inspection and they can’t find the declaration form, you’ll be paged and will have to go back to the inspection area to open the case.

Don’t Use TSA Approved Locks
Make sure both your luggage and the gun case are locked securely. Some people recommend using a TSA approved lock (and I have done this myself). This is actually prohibited by the regulation that governs transportation of firearms. Oddly enough, the TSA usually allows the use of these locks and airline personnel will not blink an eye if they see one. They are not legal, however, since they are designed to be opened by a master key, something which is prohibited by the regulation.

Clean Out Your Carry-On
Just make sure you don’t leave any prohibited items in your carry-on bag, like loose ammo, empty magazines, tactical knives…your gun. That’s an easy way to get into hot water at the security checkpoints.

Keys
Having the same key for both locks is also helpful as it will save you fumbling around trying to figure out which key goes to the luggage and which fits the gun case. Also, if you are travelling with someone else, give that person a copy of the key, just in case you lose yours. It would suck to go through the trouble of locking everything up and the hassle of declaring the firearm only to misplace the key and be unable to open the case for inspection or upon arrival.

I pack my gun in a case that is only big enough for the firearm, a knife, two mags and a 20-round box of self-defense ammo. When I arrive at my destination and retrieve my bags, the first thing I do (assuming it’s legal to carry where I am flying) is head for the restroom outside the security checkpoints and gear-up. 

Cruising
If you’re taking a holiday cruise, leave your guns at home. If the cruise line allows you to carry you will still be stuck dealing with the various national laws of the ports you visit. Most Caribbean countries require you to declare your firearms and all ammunition upon arrival and will confiscate and hold it until you depart. Don’t even bother. 

Amtrak
Since December of 2010, Amtrak allows the carrying of firearms in checked baggage. The rules are similar to those for air travel. The difference is that you have to call 800-USA-RAIL no later than 24 hours before departure to notify Amtrak of your intent to declare a firearm. If you show up at the train station and declare a firearm, you won’t be allowed to board. You cannot carry a firearm on the train, even with a valid concealed handgun permit.

Bus Travel
Greyhound has a strict policy against firearms or ammunition on the bus or in your checked luggage. So, if you have to take the bus, you can’t take your guns. Better to simply drive. Besides, luggage on buses are easily and routinely stolen, so why risk it? 

Driving
The easiest way to travel with firearms is to drive. Just remember that you have to observe the laws of any states you drive through. Consult a good resource like Hangunlaw.us for details regarding the states you plan to visit (or drive through). You can travel with any number of guns, any amount of ammo, but you will need to secure your firearms in locked cases. If you plan to carry a concealed weapon, make sure you know the law in the states you plan to visit and make sure your permit will be honored. If you do not have a carry permit, or if you are carrying long guns, you will need to secure the unloaded firearms in a locked case in a place where you and your passengers cannot access it (the trunk).

Stopping for the Night
If you stop somewhere for the night, or to go sight-seeing, make sure your firearms are locked securely in your vehicle. Inside a locked case in the trunk or in a gun safe that is attached or mounted to the car’s frame or the frame of the seats is best. If you’re stopping for the night, bring the guns inside with you, if possible. That way if your car is stolen, your guns won’t be.

Ship Ahead
If you want to avoid the risk of having guns stolen or lost, and reduce your wait times in the airport or train station, ship your guns and ammo ahead to your destination. Find a FFL near your destination and contact them to arrange a transfer, then ship your guns to them. You cannot use USPS for this. Consult your common carrier’s website for requirements. Typically you have to take your package to a carrier location and let them know you are shipping a firearm. Most carriers will not allow you to put a firearm in a drop box location or to ship through a third party affiliated store (like a UPS Store). When you arrive at your destination, visit the FFL dealer to collect your firearm. 

Don’t Be Discouraged
Most importantly, don’t let the added requirements and frustrations of carrying a firearm deter you from doing so legally. If you carry a concealed firearm every day where you live and work, why would you leave it at home when you travel? If it’s simply impossible to do it, find a legal alternative. Drive instead of riding a bus or taking a train. Ship your firearms ahead. Don’t take a gun with you on a cruise. Carrying requires sacrifices to do effectively. The difficulties of travel are just part of the deal. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the law. If it’s not legal don’t do it. If it is legal, make the extra effort.

http://www.armedlutheran.us/holiday-travel-tips/