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Thread: Flying with suppressors

  1. #1
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    Flying with suppressors

    Last minute question for the masses.



    Tomorrow I am traveling to pick up my first two suppressors and fly them home with me. They are approved and legal in the states I will be traveling through. I am doing a quick turn and burn and was not planning on taking the rifles with me. I know they require no special permission to take out of state and I assume they are treated the same as firearms by the airlines. I have read the airlines policy on firearms.



    I am planning on taking two small hard cases with locks and declaring them at the ticket counter as I would any other firearm. Is there anything else I should be aware of? Any helpful tips to make the trip/ticket counter experience less of a hassle?



    Thanks

  2. #2
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    You're spot on. Declare them as a firearm at the ticketing counter. I use good locks and not the TSA friendly BS ones. Make sure you also have your stamp paperwork and trust paperwork if you files as a trust.

  3. #3
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    There is no need to have your trust paperwork. All you really need are the approved Forms. Make sure they are locked and not with TSA locks. Declare them and you will be fine.



    Owner/Instructor at Semper Paratus Arms

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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    There is no need to have your trust paperwork. All you really need are the approved Forms. Make sure they are locked and not with TSA locks. Declare them and you will be fine.
    According to my lawer, local LEOs, and others I know that have far more NFA toys than I; If you used a trust as the vehicle to purchase your NFA item, your must have a copy of the stamp paperwork along with a copy of your trust with the NFA item at all times. I would think this would be especially true flying, as your travel is being governed by the FAA and DHS.

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    Show up 15-20 minutes early, sometimes you have to wait for the right person to help you. When you get to the counter, just say "I have something to declare" in a polite fashion, and they will walk you through the process. Have all the paperwork in case they ask for it, but they shouldn't with so many people standing around- they're more concerned about anything that is a hazard to the flight than whether your firearms components are legal. They probably won't even open your gun cases, and typically will just swab the outside for explosives and send you (and your bags) on your way.

    All that said, is a suppressor considered a firearm? You might not even need to declare it, although it's a good idea if there is any doubt.
    "We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." -Benjamin Franklin

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    Quote Originally Posted by sevenhelmet View Post
    Show up 15-20 minutes early, sometimes you have to wait for the right person to help you. When you get to the counter, just say "I have something to declare" in a polite fashion, and they will walk you through the process. Have all the paperwork in case they ask for it, but they shouldn't with so many people standing around- they're more concerned about anything that is a hazard to the flight than whether your firearms components are legal. They probably won't even open your gun cases, and typically will just swab the outside for explosives and send you (and your bags) on your way.

    All that said, is a suppressor considered a firearm? You might not even need to declare it, although it's a good idea if there is any doubt.
    Yes its considered a firearm.

  7. #7
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    Good to know. I don't know much about suppressors.
    "We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." -Benjamin Franklin

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    Quote Originally Posted by themonk View Post
    According to my lawer, local LEOs, and others I know that have far more NFA toys than I; If you used a trust as the vehicle to purchase your NFA item, your must have a copy of the stamp paperwork along with a copy of your trust with the NFA item at all times. I would think this would be especially true flying, as your travel is being governed by the FAA and DHS.
    In general, there's no requirement to have the paperwork or the trust with you. Not to say it's a bad idea, just not required. Not sure if declaring the items while flying is an exception to this or not...but it's probably more of a situation where it could make it easier...especially if the trouble occurred on the return trip and some uninformed airline agent at the counter.

    You're under a legal obligation to be able to produce it to an ATF agent, nobody else. It's a tax document, and it's nobody's business but yours and the people that issued it to you. No requirement to produce it on the spot in any case.

    Now, would I show it if I thought it would save me a "ride downtown". Yep. Some ranges wanted to see it to let you shoot...that's your decision whether you want to play by their rules or take your stuff and go elsewhere.

    There are states that have laws that say NFA items are illegal unless properly registered, and the federal papers become that registration.

    Just thought I'd mention it. Just because a person is a lawyer, LEO, or even Class 3 dealer, doesn't mean they know it all. Just like reading it on the internet doesn't make it true.
    Last edited by BigWaylon; 01-02-15 at 09:06.

  9. #9
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    Then you should be seek better advice. I would then ask each of them to show you where it is required in black and white, since the approved Form(s) are the only thing that serve as proof.

    No one has ever asked to see anything and especially since there is no requirement to notify the BATF when transporting a suppressor. The approved Form(s) show that they are yours.

    Quote Originally Posted by themonk View Post
    According to my lawer, local LEOs, and others I know that have far more NFA toys than I; If you used a trust as the vehicle to purchase your NFA item, your must have a copy of the stamp paperwork along with a copy of your trust with the NFA item at all times. I would think this would be especially true flying, as your travel is being governed by the FAA and DHS.



    Owner/Instructor at Semper Paratus Arms

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SemperParatusArms/

    Semper Paratus Arms AR15 Armorer Course http://www.semperparatusarms.com/cou...-registration/

    M4C Misc. Training and Course Announcements- http://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?f=141

    Master Armorer/R&D at SIONICS Weapon Systems- http://sionicsweaponsystems.com

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Iraqgunz View Post
    Then you should be seek better advice. I would then ask each of them to show you where it is required in black and white, since the approved Form(s) are the only thing that serve as proof.

    No one has ever asked to see anything and especially since there is no requirement to notify the BATF when transporting a suppressor. The approved Form(s) show that they are yours.
    The approved Form(s) show that they belong to the trust > the trust shows you are a member > your drivers license proves you are who you say you are and are a member of the trust.

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