A Flying Travelers Guide To Firearm Laws Of The 50 States

By Anna Foster


If you are someone who travels the world hunting big game or are a marksman who travels all over to compete with like minded individuals, you already know there are thick books full of rules, regulations and law when it comes to traveling and transporting lethal weapons. If you have never checked your guns before flying, you need to get a lot of information. To begin with you can purchase a travelers guide to firearm laws of the 50 states.

The law varies from state to state, so you should begin by familiarizing yourself with the regulations of the state into which you will be traveling. You also need to fully understand the rules you'll have to comply with while moving from airport to airport. If you don't already have one, you need to buy or borrow a hard case. Not all cases have the same kinds of locks, and those who travel frequently advise individuals to avoid the cases with TSA locks.

Most airlines have similar rules, but they are not exactly the same so you should look up the regulations for the carrier you will be using. Print out the instructions and take them with you in case there are questions. TSA rules change all the time. You'll definitely need to go to their website and read and print the information you find there.

Nobody should have to tell a sportsman that you never carry a loaded gun into an airport, even if it is in a case, but people do it all the time. Make sure all your guns and ammunition are in proper order before you leave the house. Opening your case and checking your weapons in the middle of the airport will cause a lot of problems. A good suggestion from frequent fliers is to open the cylinder, so the TSA can tell at a glance it's empty.

You will not be able to check in at the curb. You've got to go to the counter. Make sure to keep your case closed at all times. Once you get to the counter, declare the fact that you have firearms. You will want to inform the clerk in such a manner that it does not alarm the people standing in line behind you.

Once you have let the clerk know what you have with you, a TSA agent will either come to the counter or you will have an escort to the TSA check in area. There will be paperwork to fill out and questions to answer at this time.

You have to keep the keys to your weapons case with you at all times. It is against the law for you to let anyone else have them. If an official requests the keys, for whatever purpose, and you feel you have to hand them over, you must not let them out of your sight.

It can be a hassle trying to follow all the rules and regulations when it comes to traveling from state to state with firearms. You may need some patience, but if you follow instructions, you should be fine.




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