Checking guns at Harry Reid Airport - Any recent experience?

April 06, 2026, 03:45 PM

I have a ghost town expedition planned for Nevada and Utah later this month. Will fly into Las Vegas. Checking my guns with TSA and American Airlines at the Yooper airport is hassle free. But the LAS airport will be a first for me. Has anyone recently dealt with TSA checking guns at Harry Reid? I plan to arrive early to ensure I have plenty of time for whatever might happen. Thanks in advance!

April 06, 2026, 04:34 PM

Powers77

It's been about a year but I have checked a gun there many times on SW. Declare and then they have you wait 15 minutes at the end of the counter by an American flag.
Don't rush the 15 minutes. Several years ago I did and got paged back to the flag to open my locked container. Fortunately I was way early so I was able to clear security again and make my flight.
Follow their instructions and you will have no problem.

April 06, 2026, 07:35 PM

HRK

Would imagine it's not difficult considering SHOT has been there for many years and the number of guns coming in and out of that airport has to be significant during SHOT...

Plus, all the mob guys that flew in and out of Vegas, ok that was pre TSA, Pre 9/11 but still, you know those guys came in heavy...

April 06, 2026, 08:30 PM

Mutiny

Flew out of LAS many times without issue including with long guns and a bunch of ammunition last month. No worries. Normal process, declare at counter, they give them to TSA, you wait 15 minutes, and good to go.
This most recent time the TSA guy came out and wanted to chat shooting and guns. He was showing me photos on his personal phone of his shooting range in his backyard in pahrump. Just a good old boy gun guy wanted to chat guns with someone, Or maybe he was just bored in the back room.

April 06, 2026, 11:43 PM

FenderBender

quote:
Originally posted by Mutiny:
Flew out of LAS many times without issue including with long guns and a bunch of ammunition last month. No worries. Normal process, declare at counter, they give them to TSA, you wait 15 minutes, and good to go.
This most recent time the TSA guy came out and wanted to chat shooting and guns. He was showing me photos on his personal phone of his shooting range in his backyard in pahrump. Just a good old boy gun guy wanted to chat guns with someone, Or maybe he was just bored in the back room.

At least you know they were taken care of.

April 06, 2026, 11:51 PM

KMitch200

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Plus, all the mob guys that flew in and out of Vegas, ok that was pre TSA, Pre 9/11 but still, you know those guys came in heavy...

Are you sure the mob guys aren’t still coming in there?

April 07, 2026, 08:56 AM

UTsig

Have fun on your vacation! We get to a ghost town every now and again, which are you planning on visiting?

April 07, 2026, 10:09 AM

YooperSigs

UTsig:
My main interest is in old cemeteries. Plan to visit Grafton, both the cemetery and whats left of the town. I understand that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed there. There is another ghost town north of Grafton but I cant recall the name. Other cemeteries are
Hilltop, Rockville and Hurricane. Also plan to visit Silver Reef and Babylon. I would like to visit the site of the Mormon Massacre but I understand there is little to see there. I am bringing my kids with me and they find my ghost towns and cemeteries less interesting than I do so we will be spending time in Vegas and St. George UT. If it was up to me, I would dump the kids in Vegas and head out alone, but thats not an option.
And thanks to everyone for the Harry Reid info!
In May of last year, I was in Mayer and Crown King AZ, Benson and Tombstone. Saw all the cemeteries I could. I wanted to go to the remains of the Clanton Ranch, but the road (I had a Jeep) was gated off and my travel companion was not up to the hike.

April 07, 2026, 03:29 PM

UTsig

I live between Hurricane and Rockville, go to Grafton quite a bit. Grafton has a great cemetery, lots of history. The town is not much but I like the buildings. Silver Reef is worth a visit and checking it out, there are three cemeteries in Leeds.If you know the history of Mountain Meadow it's worth the trip from St George. I get chills whenever I visit. Not far from MM is the Hamlin Cemetery, it's off a dirt road, not real easy to find but there might be signs now. Hamlin town is gone but the cemetery is kept up.

When in Las Vegas, take a look at visiting Nelson, NV. It's not that far and a lot of fun, I think your kids would enjoy it.

Drop me an e-mail if you need any info on the St George/Springdale area. Also, a fun book is "Some Dreams Die", terrific stories. It may be out of print but used copies are around.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/...3f-a381-c12ad27e4260

April 07, 2026, 04:33 PM

Russ59

quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs:
UTsig:
I would like to visit the site of the Mormon Massacre but I understand there is little to see there.

As a member of the church, I stopped by the Mormon Massacre memorial. It's about 30-40 minutes north of St George on your way to Newcastle. It's well done but nothing more than 20-30 minutes.

I think you've been given good information about TSA and gun checks at LAS. I've only checked handguns at SLC and it was pretty smooth.

I'm still astounded by the fact that the bags just end up at the normal carousel without any custody handoff. At least that has been my limited experience at Sacramento. I thought for sure I'd have to go to the customer service counter to prove the luggage (with the gun) was mine.

Oh well.

April 08, 2026, 11:44 AM

YooperSigs

UTsig:
Check your email. Thanks!

April 27, 2026, 01:25 AM

YooperSigs

Update:
Just got back from Vegas and St. George UT. Utah was beautiful and UTsigs suggestions on activities and restaurants in St. George was spot on! Thanks!
As far as checking my artillery with American Airlines on the flight out from Vegas, it was quick and done right at the gate check in. TSA not involved at all, just the gate agent. No problems! When I flew in, I had to pick up my guns from the Baggage Service Office from a very elderly AA employee. No issues. And no TSA.

April 27, 2026, 02:06 AM

KMitch200

Glad you enjoyed it!!

April 28, 2026, 09:09 AM

UTsig

Glad your trip went well, you sure had great weather! Post a report with some pictures, especially Utah.

April 29, 2026, 07:37 AM

Powers77

quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs:
UTsig:
My main interest is in old cemeteries. Plan to visit Grafton, both the cemetery and whats left of the town. I understand that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed there. There is another ghost town north of Grafton but I cant recall the name. Other cemeteries are
Hilltop, Rockville and Hurricane. Also plan to visit Silver Reef and Babylon. I would like to visit the site of the Mormon Massacre but I understand there is little to see there. I am bringing my kids with me and they find my ghost towns and cemeteries less interesting than I do so we will be spending time in Vegas and St. George UT. If it was up to me, I would dump the kids in Vegas and head out alone, but thats not an option.
And thanks to everyone for the Harry Reid info!
In May of last year, I was in Mayer and Crown King AZ, Benson and Tombstone. Saw all the cemeteries I could. I wanted to go to the remains of the Clanton Ranch, but the road (I had a Jeep) was gated off and my travel companion was not up to the hike.

The site of Meadow Mountain Massacre is not all that impressive BUT if you incorporate it into your loop there is some really cool scenery. On one way to or from Utah take I15 between Littlefield AZ and Utah. On the other, get off of 15 at Littlefield and then take Old Hwy 91 North up to the Gunlock cutoff up past the reservoir and up into Veyo. Then North a bit to the MMM site. You can then go North on up to Hwy 56 and take it East back to 15. Just did this as a MC ride last weekend and its a very nice alternative. All paved good roads.

ETA: Sorry, just saw that you had updated that you are home.