5 Tips for Flying with a Firearm

It was a trip of many firsts for me—first sandhill crane, first guided hunt, first limit of birds shot, even my first time to Canada—and notably, it was my first time ever flying with a gun. I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous about it. Fortunately, most of my co-workers are very comfortable with the process and gave me pointers and the kind folks at Delta Waterfowl were very helpful in making sure things went off without a hitch. Needless to say, my first experience flying with a firearm was a great one, and yours absolutely can be too.

You might assume that flying with a firearm involves all kinds of extra forms and hassle, but essentially it’s just another bag to check. To get things started, bring your secure and unloaded firearm to the baggage check-in. You’ll need to do this in-person rather than at a self-service kiosk. From there, an attendant will help you along with the process, and these tips will ensure it goes as smooth as possible.

Make Sure it’s Locked & Unloaded

You wouldn’t drive with a loaded firearm, and you definitely can’t fly with one. This seems obvious enough, but it’s worth mentioning. Airports might have you unlock and open your case just to prove this very fact.

Speaking of locks, you need one at every designated point on the case. So, if your case has four lock holes, you need four locks. Three is unacceptable, and they will either send you away or might be able to sell you an expensive one there.

Do you need to buy TSA locks for a firearms case? That’s up to you. TSA designed these locks so they can access luggage without having to cut the locks off. If you choose not to use TSA-approved locks and security needs to access the inside of your luggage while you aren’t present, your lock will be cut off.

Give Yourself Time

It’s proper airport etiquette to show up two hours before your flight leaves (some folks even recommend three for international flights). If you’re flying with a firearm, it’s good to give yourself an extra hour or so of leeway time. You could have to stand in an additional line to check your gun. It might take airport staff a while to process and even inspect your firearm. There's a chance they'll ask you to take all the locks off and prove that the gun is what you say it is and unloaded.

This is a process that, if rushed, will create anxiety for you and make airport staff uncomfortable. So, do yourself and the folks working the check-in desk a favor and show up early. You’ll be much happier having the time to buy an overpriced coffee than sweating through security, counting down the minutes until they close the boarding gate (not a good look).

Now, just as checking in might take a bit more time than normal, expect a little longer once you get off the plane. Your gun case will likely go to a different baggage claim then the rest of your belongings. If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll likely have to go through some different customs procedures. It shouldn’t take too long, just don’t make plans to be somewhere the second your plane lands.

On a similar note, if you're making connecting flights, I wouldn't push it with a super short layover. You want your firearm to arrive at the same time and place you do. A rushed layover isn't putting those odds in your favor.

Have a Burly Case

One person didn’t make it to Canada because their gun case didn’t pass airport inspection. (I couldn’t believe they didn’t go out and buy another one and hop on the next flight—this was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity for me!) I mention this to reinforce the importance of ensuring your case is up to par.

If the airport can pull it apart and see any light coming through the edges, it’s pretty much a no-go. If it’s broken or busted at all, you can bet it’s not making the flight. If it looks like all it would take is someone dropping it on the ground to access your gun, you better bulk up.

And if you’ve ever checked baggage, you know how little care goes into ensuring your property is unharmed. Bags are chucked on conveyor belts, dropped on the pavement, and fall out the sides of those trolly trucks on the way to the plane, et cetera, et cetera. You want a case that will protect your firearm through the rough and tumble it’s sure to go through. It’d be a real shame to arrive at your hunting destination just to learn you’ve got a dinged-up barrel or busted scope.

I was traveling to Canada with a brand-spanking-new Benelli Super Black Eagle 3. I think it goes without saying I wanted to make sure my new wing-shooter made it across the northern border safe and sound. So, I opted for a case that wouldn’t leave anything to chance: the Magpul DAKA Hard Case LR53.

The DAKA GRID system is highly customizable, stronger than traditional foam, and allows you to create spaces for organizing extra gear. The case also has four easy-to-use but extremely tough latches with four holes for locks. Once you’ve secured your gun in the DAKA GRID and snapped the locks shut, you know for sure it’s safe for travel. As a nice bonus, the wheels on one side make maneuvering through the airport a breeze. To learn more about the case, check out this article from Jordan Sillars.

Birds and ammo from the Canada hunt. Image via Federal Ammo.

Carrying Bullets and Other Gear

Keep weight limits in mind. For most airlines, checked bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (and yes, your firearm must be checked). According to the TSA, firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts, and firing pins, as well as ammunition, are prohibited in carry-on bags but are allowed in checked baggage. This means if you have room in your gun case, you can carry those items alongside your firearm, just keep that 50-pound weight limit in mind, or you’ll have issues.

Now, if you choose to fly with ammunition, it must be properly packaged. “Ammunition must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline,” the TSA site states. “You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.”

It’s also important to check ahead with your specific airline about quantity limits on ammunition.

The author, very stoked after a morning of shooting ducks, cranes, and geese from a layout blind in Canada. Image via Federal Ammo.

Research Firearm Laws of Your Destination

Going to Canada, having a firearms declaration on hand was equally as important as having a hunting license. Research the laws of where you’re going before you get there. If you can fill out any paperwork in advance, it might even save you some time at the airport.

Even if you’ve flown with firearms before, you should check out the TSA site to verify the most recent regulations. And be sure to look into the airline you’re flying prior to arriving at the airport. Verify what their limits are for things like carrying ammo or bag weight. Doing this ahead of time will save you headaches and time.

Airport travel days—regardless of whether you have a firearm or not—will always be long days filled with small inconveniences. It’s an inherently stress-filled day, but there’s nothing to be nervous or anxious about when traveling by plane with a firearm. Use common sense, put in a little research beforehand, protect your firearm with a tough case, and you should be set for safe travels.