Flying with a firearm? Here's how to do it legally so you don't get into TSA trouble
The Transportation Security Administration is reporting a new record number of firearms illegally being found in carry-on baggage at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and other airports.
You can travel with your firearm, but there are laws you have to follow to avoid TSA fines or potential criminal prosecution. Here's a quick primer so you don't have to say you 'forgot' when a TSA officer finds your gun at a security checkpoint:
∙ Firearms, firearm parts (including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins), and ammunition cannot be transported in carry-on baggage, regardless of whether you have concealed carry or constitutional carry in your state or jurisdiction.
TSA also considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger. For example, if an individual has a firearm in accessible baggage and ammunition in his/her pocket, or any combination where the individual has access to both, the firearm is considered "loaded" for purposes of assessing a civil penalty.
· Firearms must be unloaded (including no bullet in the chamber). TSA considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger. For example, if an individual has a firearm in accessible carry-on baggage and ammunition in his/her pocket, or any combination where the individual has access to both, the firearm is considered "loaded" and violators can be fined.
∙ Firearms and ammunition can only be transported in a locked, hard-sided container that must be declared and checked in at your airline's ticket and baggage counter to be placed in the plane's cargo hold. The case can have the ammunition packed with the firearm as long as it is packed properly. For example, small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
∙ Replica firearms, including toy replicas, can only be transported in checked baggage.
∙ Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.
There are separate rules for law enforcement officers flying armed. You can read those guidelines here. For more information on flying with firearms and ammunition, visit the TSA website.
smeighan@dispatch.com
@ShahidMeighan
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Flying with a firearm? Follow these rules to avoid TSA fines or worse
