I will be flying soon and will declare my pistol with my checked bag.
I read the TSA regulations but I am confused on one point:
I know the gun must be unloaded, in a locked hard case with the keys kept in my possession. Fine! But The regs for magazines and ammo seem less clear.
Can the ammo (in a plastic ammo box) and the unloaded magazines all go together in the case with the pistol? Or must they be packed separately?
Thanks in advance for the help!

From TSA:

” Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm” (bold emphasis added)

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tra...earms-and-ammunition

Some airlines get twitchy with loaded magazines - keep them empty.
I travel often and the handgun, spare mags and ammo boxes are all in the same locked case in the checked bag - never an issue.

quote:

Can the ammo (in a plastic ammo box) and the unloaded magazines all go together in the case with the pistol?

Short answer is yes. That's how I fly.

In addition to the TSA regs., each airline has their own set of regs. You can find these on their website. Most often, these are more specific than the TSA. I have heard some say that printing out a cop of the airline regs. and having it with you at time of check in can be handy as the gate attendants are often unfamiliar with them.

Whenever I've flown, a factory ammo box or plastic reloading box is satisfactory to the TSA, but that was some time ago, and attitudes may have changed. My more recent experiences with TSA indicate agents that will make up rules on their own and who are quite confrontational when challenged.

Understand that you need to follow TSA rules/laws, airline rules, and any state laws at locations your flight stops, goes, or could be diverted. Get a non-stop flight for sure. Follow them to the letter.

I pack the firearm in it's own Pelican box separate from the magazines and ammunition. I place a trigger lock on the firearm inside the locked (2 high security combo locks) Pelican box, cable locked inside and to the rollerbag that contains the unloaded magazines and ammunition. There is a weight limit to the ammunition. I only travel with factory loaded ammunition in its box. Be especially careful of the magazine capacity rules. If you have 10-rounders, take them only. If you are shooting a match, bring documentation of the match, registration, etc. with you. Some states, like Massachussetts require it. As you walk up to the counter, tell them you need to declare a firearm before you start showing them. And get off the plane quickly and get to the baggage carousel, so no one walks off with your bag.

I've filed a formal complaint against American Airlines for exactly this situation, because their website shows both the TSA regulations and AA's own regulations on the same web page---and they're in direct conflict with each other.

TSA regulations for ammunition are as follows (directly from its video, which is also on AA's website):

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Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).

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 and declared to your airline.

Ammunition may be transported in the same hard-sided, locked case as a firearm if it has been packed as described above. 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.

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This appears to allow travelers to use a product like Ammo Armor, which is a rubberized sleeve that a person can insert a loaded magazine into to securely protect the ammunition for pocket carry OR to securely cover ammunition in a magazine to comply with TSA regulations. Under TSA regulations, those magazines are allowed to be in the same hard-sided locked case as the empty firearm.

Now---

If you go deeper into American Airlines' regulations for ammunition, they require that the ammunition be in a box specifically designed to hold ammunition, and that box cannot be inside the locked case with the firearm.

So---AA puts two policies on the same web page that conflict with each other. If they're not going to allow the TSA-allowed procedures, they need to take the video off their website.

I fly with a weapon in checked baggage quite often for work. What I've always done is put the unloaded weapon with a chamber flag, empty magazines, and ammunition in a factory box all together in the lockbox. When I get to the airport and declare the firearm, they can visibly see the weapon is unloaded and safe when they put the form in the case. I lock the case and the suitcase, and it goes onto the plane. Never had an issue.

By using the factory box I comply with the most restrictive rules of any of the airlines I'm familiar with. TSA says the magazines are OK, but the airlines can get a bit pickier. Just make sure the box is one of the ones with a plastic tray that keeps the rounds separate from each other and you're good.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
I fly with a weapon in checked baggage quite often for work. What I've always done is put the unloaded weapon with a chamber flag, empty magazines, and ammunition in a factory box all together in the lockbox. When I get to the airport and declare the firearm, they can visibly see the weapon is unloaded and safe when they put the form in the case. I lock the case and the suitcase, and it goes onto the plane. Never had an issue.

By using the factory box I comply with the most restrictive rules of any of the airlines I'm familiar with. TSA says the magazines are OK, but the airlines can get a bit pickier. Just make sure the box is one of the ones with a plastic tray that keeps the rounds separate from each other and you're good.

I usually follow the most restrictive rules, but I thought I'd try the newer TSA policy this one time to see if it was an easier process than the usual one. I guess I found out the hard way....

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
I fly with a weapon in checked baggage quite often for work. What I've always done is put the unloaded weapon with a chamber flag, empty magazines, and ammunition in a factory box all together in the lockbox. When I get to the airport and declare the firearm, they can visibly see the weapon is unloaded and safe when they put the form in the case. I lock the case and the suitcase, and it goes onto the plane. Never had an issue.

When you say “when they put the form in the case.” do you mean the suitcase, or the lockbox? It has been a while since I’ve flown commercially, but they taped the declaration to the outside of the lockbox, then closed the suitcase the last few times. The last time or two they didn’t have any desire to inspect, just asked me to verify the firearm was unloaded. When I asked the TSA guy, he said their equipment can see whether the gun is loaded or not, no need to open the case.

They last 2 pr 3 times I’ve checked a firearm, they put the signed declaration on top of the locked case inside the checked bag. I always disassemble the pistol so there is not question it is in a safe condition. Also, at least on Delta, your bag will not be on the carousel. You have to pick it up at the Delta luggage counter. Some times they put zip ties on the zippers or a ridiculous large zip tie around the bag that accomplishes nothing. I just put a small pocket knife in an outside pocket of my checked bag in case they zip tie the zippers. Hope this helps.

I will be flying American. It figures they are more screwed up than TSA!

I've done it probably 100x with AA. I use a Federal HydraShok 20 rd container, no matter the brand or type of ammo. I got scolded once with loaded mags and the TSA goon put TSA-branded tape over the mags, which was really difficult to remove. Problem with AA is that all checked guns go to their BSO (baggage service office), so you have to go there to collect. Total PITA.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
When you say “when they put the form in the case.” do you mean the suitcase, or the lockbox?

They have you put it on top of the locked gun case. I usually have a piece of tape ready to secure it so it can't fall off.

I will follow Rick Lees advice, given his experience with AA. Everything in one locked case, unloaded mags and ammo in factory boxes.
Thanks everyone for your input!

Depending on the size and type of luggage you have, I always chain lock my hard case to the internal metal back brace of my rolling luggage bag. If someone were to get into my luggage, hopefully this would make it a little harder to steal the hard case. Just a little extra comfort.