View Full Version : Flying with Glock, under 21?
austin9790
03-09-11, 23:09
Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here but I know that there is a wealth of knowledge far beyond my own and I will become enlightened by all of your input. That being said, here is my predicament. I currently attend a college in North Carolina and will be leaving to go back home to Florida for spring break as of this Friday. I am 20 years old and enjoy shooting sports, as we all do. Due to my love for the sport, some faculty members and I have established a campus “Marksmanship Society”. Well long story short, I currently have two guns (an Ar 15 and Glock 21) being stored off campus at our faculty advisor’s residence. My area of confusion is pertaining to certain rules for flying with my weapons. I understand all TSA requirements for flying with firearms and have already fully prepared to adhere to these specifications (Locked hard case etc…). However, after searching for information on the internet I am still unsure about the legality of transporting the Glock due to my age. Is declaring a handgun at the airport acceptable if you are over 18 or will I be in a world of hurt when I attempt to do so? Once again, I appreciate everyone’s input and I am a huge fan of the site. Mods please move if I have posted in the wrong forum, my apologies.
From the TSA standpoint, I think you're OK as long as you're of legal age to have a handgun in your possession in the state you're leaving from and the state you're landing in. Note that there is a difference between being of age to purchase (you have to be 21) as opposed to being of age to possess.
OTOH, airlines are not obligated to follow TSA regs exactly and some airlines are more restrictive on some aspects of flying with firearms. Hawaiian Airlines, for example, won't let anyone transport firearms unless they're 21 or older. Delta too, maybe. I would be sure to check the airline's rules on firearms transport before taking my pistol on down to the airport to fly home with me.
austin9790
03-10-11, 00:05
So far everything seems ok based off of what you said. I am of legal age to possess in both NC and FL so no problem there. I am flying with Delta, but nothing on their website makes mention of a 21 yr age restriction on traveling with firearms. Thank you for helping. Also, if anyone has any other information that says otherwise, please share.
FromMyColdDeadHand
03-10-11, 01:49
So far everything seems ok based off of what you said. I am of legal age to possess in both NC and FL so no problem there. I am flying with Delta, but nothing on their website makes mention of a 21 yr age restriction on traveling with firearms. Thank you for helping. Also, if anyone has any other information that says otherwise, please share.
Print everything off and take it with you. If you have problems, make them show you in writing where they have and issue.
I like the advise that some one gave about flying ith guns. Act bored and like you have done it a million times.
I would call Delta first. I flew from KY to CA with a hunting bow once. I followed all the rules from the site on the way out and I wasn't bothered. On the way back, the police in CA held the case and another held my arm and escorted me to a holding room to inspect everything. They bitched about the case being locked, even though I remember the site saying to lock it. They threw a fit because I brought arrows which they considered "ammunition", even though the site made no mention of restrictions on arrows. All this over a hunting bow, not a gun.
Got to remember this was a few years ago and rules change. Either way, record a phone call with a Delta representative. The tiny print that says *Rules subject to change* is where they get you. But a phone call placed hours before your flight leaves will be the most up to date.
Why not FEDEX them (w/proper insurance) overnight to your destination--then you have no problems and less hassles at the airport...
Cannon_fodder11b
03-10-11, 03:10
I have flown several times with my Sig P220 And my Ar-15. I have even flown with ammunition. The only thing they did at SEATAC was inspect the weapons, and verify the weapons were unloaded. I wen to show them the 2 boxes of .45 and the guy told me he just wanted to verify there was a weapon, and that it was in a secured hard case, and was unloaded.
Leaving Idaho....Same thing only the TSA guy didn't ask me to open the case, just had me show the locked hard case, and then swabbed me for explosives.
Flying out of ISLIP was another story....But after they swabbed my weapon, and swabbed me they searched my bag and then eventually cleared me.
Army Chief
03-10-11, 05:24
I'm less than persuaded that it is worth the potential trouble for a quick Spring Break in your home state. Granted, the rules should be straightforward enough that you could prepare in advance for any contigency, but that isn't necessarily the reality.
If you end up running into problems at the ticket counter, then what? There isn't much that you can do with a pistol in an airport terminal if they won't allow you to transport it, and you could very well end up missing your flight.
I remember being where you are with respect to owning a pistol -- and even having a CCW permit for it -- before I was 21, and it was confusing enough dealing with local law enforcement down at the local shooting pit. I would not want to be pressing my luck in a terminal environment with the airlines (or the TSA) who often have rather arbitrary rules of their own.
Bottom line? This should be no big deal ... but what if it isn't? Then you are going to be well and truly stuck. Ultimately, you may be right, or you may be wrong, but a prudent man probably wouldn't take that chance.
AC
I would call Delta first. I flew from KY to CA with a hunting bow once. I followed all the rules from the site on the way out and I wasn't bothered. On the way back, the police in CA held the case and another held my arm and escorted me to a holding room to inspect everything. They bitched about the case being locked, even though I remember the site saying to lock it. They threw a fit because I brought arrows which they considered "ammunition", even though the site made no mention of restrictions on arrows. All this over a hunting bow, not a gun.
Got to remember this was a few years ago and rules change. Either way, record a phone call with a Delta representative. The tiny print that says *Rules subject to change* is where they get you. But a phone call placed hours before your flight leaves will be the most up to date.
I agree completely you need to call Delta and get them to clarify everything before even attempting, I cannot tell you how many stories I have heard just like the one above
Why not FEDEX them (w/proper insurance) overnight to your destination--then you have no problems and less hassles at the airport...
My preferred method, especially when I have gone on hunts trans-atlantic, fedex usually does a better job handling your case than TSA anyways.
I'm less than persuaded that it is worth the potential trouble for a quick Spring Break in your home state. Granted, the rules should be straightforward enough that you could prepare in advance for any contigency, but that isn't necessarily the reality.
If you end up running into problems at the ticket counter, then what? There isn't much that you can do with a pistol in an airport terminal if they won't allow you to transport it, and you could very well end up missing your flight.
I remember being where you are with respect to owning a pistol -- and even having a CCW permit for it -- before I was 21, and it was confusing enough dealing with local law enforcement down at the local shooting pit. I would not want to be pressing my luck in a terminal environment with the airlines (or the TSA) who often have rather arbitrary rules of their own.
Bottom line? This should be no big deal ... but what if it isn't? Then you are going to be well and truly stuck. Ultimately, you may be right, or you may be wrong, but a prudent man probably wouldn't take that chance.
AC
I think this is the best response, and one to be taken seriously, is it worth the hassle? I know it can be a hard thing to part from your firearms, but in this case you need to consider the hassle/financial loss that can come with tickets or legal issues that may arise because you overlooked some tiny little thing. I have heard of a guy who legal removed and stored his handguns at the airport (CHL Holder) traveled to a state that has reciprocity with texas, his flight was diverted, without even thinking he picked up his luggage, in a state that was not reciprocal, and had did not even allow handguns with a separate permit all together if I remember right(think it was NJ, been awhile since I read the story), he was arrested, and when all was said and done he had spent nearly 10k in legal fees to get everything sorted out.
If you absolutely must keep your handguns fedex it, but if memory serves you still are going to have to go from FFL to FFL, I would just leave them for a week.
I have flown several times with my Sig P220 And my Ar-15. I have even flown with ammunition. The only thing they did at SEATAC was inspect the weapons, and verify the weapons were unloaded. I wen to show them the 2 boxes of .45 and the guy told me he just wanted to verify there was a weapon, and that it was in a secured hard case, and was unloaded.
Leaving Idaho....Same thing only the TSA guy didn't ask me to open the case, just had me show the locked hard case, and then swabbed me for explosives.
Flying out of ISLIP was another story....But after they swabbed my weapon, and swabbed me they searched my bag and then eventually cleared me.
wouldn't swabbing a used weapon for "explosives" turn up a positive every time? :confused:
wouldn't swabbing a used weapon for "explosives" turn up a positive every time? :confused:
No, I've gone shooting before flying, been covered in burnt powder all over my arms and did not set off the bomb sensors at the airport.
Same here, before I leave my house I empty and store any of my handguns that might be stashed in places back into the safe incase of a break in while I'm gone. last time I was at the airport I was at the airport just 15 minutes later i was swabbed at the gate...nada. I have a feeling those machines are looking for compounds more like tnt and such, rather than simple GSR
austin9790
03-10-11, 23:29
I just want to say thanks for everyone's replies... I will definitely call Delta tomorrow before the flight and according to what they say I will make my decision. Would hate to leave my guns in NC having already made plans to shoot in Florida but I would rather not deal with the hassle if there is an issue so I may have to resort to that.
Don't leave them, as stated above, just FEDEX next day delivery to where you will be staying...
Don't leave them, as stated above, just FEDEX next day delivery to where you will be staying...
I thought that they had to be shipped to a FFL (smith, gun store, manufacturer, etc.) when using FedEx or UPS.
FedEX (http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/index.html)
UPS (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=firearms)
BaileyMoto
03-11-11, 04:15
I thought that they had to be shipped to a FFL (smith, gun store, manufacturer, etc.) when using FedEx or UPS.
FedEX (http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/terms/express-ground/index.html)
UPS (http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=1&srch_phr=firearms)
Nope. Firearms are shipped to an FFL for transfer purposes. A manufacturer will ship a firearm directly to your home after a repair, for example.
austin9790
03-11-11, 08:12
Don't leave them, as stated above, just FEDEX next day delivery to where you will be staying...
After thinking about all the information and opinions here I feel that this would definitely be the easiest way to go. However, after reviewing the estimated rates on FEDEX's website I believe it would be around $65 for 2 day air and I don't have the funds right now being a poor college student for two rounds of shipping :( I will prepare earlier next time and this will be the route I will choose though.
pretty sure complete, functioning handguns, not long guns must be shipped ffl to ffl.
and remember if you do fly with them on delta, have someone who is 21 all the way through until the take your cargo, and when they pick it up, you do not want to have that firearm on you being under 21 for any moment, especially in an airport
Nope. Firearms are shipped to an FFL for transfer purposes. A manufacturer will ship a firearm directly to your home after a repair, for example.
From Fedex site:
FedEx Express will transport and deliver firearms as defined by the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, between areas served in the U.S., but only between:
Licensed importers; licensed manufacturers; licensed dealers; licensed collectors; law enforcement agencies of the U.S. or any department or agency thereof; and law enforcement agencies of any state or any department, agency or political subdivisions thereof; or
Where not prohibited by local, state and federal law, from individuals to licensed importers, licensed manufacturers or licensed dealers (and return of same).
OP: What did Delta say? Technically/legally you're fine like others have mentioned but there certainly is the possibility of being hassled because of your age causing delays or worse.
austin9790
03-11-11, 16:04
Sitting in the airport right now. It was the easiest check in I have ever had. No problems whatsoever. Thank you to everyone for your help.
Army Chief
03-11-11, 16:49
Here's hoping you have the same experience on the return trip.
AC
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