Just came back from a cruise - brought my USCCA Range Bag with me, as a carryon (without weapons) - worked perfectly! Fits nicely under the seat in front on the plane, and carried nicely to the beach and around town. Couldn’t be happier with this new found 2nd purpose. AND it really is a terrific Range Bag for the Range, too, although I don’t use it for that purpose - I have a backpack that I prefer. But, the bag is very well thought out for the Range. This was a free gift to me when I joined USCCA. Thank you, USCCA!
I would not use a range bag that I took to the range as a carry-on for air travel or cruises. One, they could swab it and find traces of powder, spent or otherwise; and two, cartridges seem to always find their way into crooks and crevices, including spent cases. There were at least a few criminal cases, which I am aware of, where cartridges were found in carry-on bags that the owner had not aware of - until they were found. I would not want to be one of those people.
This is very good advice. I have a bag I use for daily carry to and from work, and I also use it when I travel around the state by car, or longer trips by air. I make it a point to never even carry a spare magazine or speed strip in that bag, even for local travel, on the off chance that I forget about it and try to board a plane with it. It’s just too easy to make that mistake and end up in big trouble.
Went through scanners with TSA ( I have Pre-Check) coming in and out of the US, and at every port. Never had a problem. “Sailed” right through, as it were. I did find a shell casing before I left home and removed it.
If they are swabbing your bags regularly, I guess better not bring it, as suggested. But, no one has ever swabbed my carry on. I guess I don’t look like much of a threat!
D
If TSA detects gunpowder residue, typically through explosive trace detection (swabbing) during secondary screening,
it will trigger an alert, resulting in an enhanced, time-consuming investigation of you and your baggage. While often caused by recent gun range visits, this residue requires security to clear you, potentially delaying travel.
Key Implications and Actions:
Secondary Screening: If a swab detects residue, you will be sent for a detailed pat-down and luggage search.
Investigation: TSA agents will likely call in explosive specialists to resolve the alarm, which can take time.
Outcome: As long as no prohibited items (like an actual firearm or powder) are found, you will likely be cleared after the screening, despite the inconvenience.
Prevention: It is advised to wash hands and clean clothing after shooting to avoid false positives.
According to Transportation Security Administration (.gov), powders in carry-on bags that cannot be resolved might be prohibited.
Here’s what Google AI says about a stray shell casing - again, not a big deal.
If a stray, empty shell casing is found in your carry-on, TSA will likely pull your bag, inspect it, and potentially involve airport police, causing delays or causing you to miss your flight. While, according to the Transportation Security Administration (.gov), empty casings are technically allowed if they are inert and not considered realistic replicas, the final decision rests with the TSA officer.
What Usually Happens:
Inspection & Confiscation: TSA agents will likely confiscate the item.
Police Intervention: If the item is deemed suspicious, local law enforcement may be called to investigate.
Delays: You may face significant delays, missing your flight, and secondary screening.
What You Need to Know:
Rules for Casings: They are allowed only if the primer has been removed or discharged, and the projectile is not intact.
Prohibited Items: If the item looks like a replica or a complete bullet, it is banned from carry-on.
Discretion: The TSA officer has the final say and may refuse to let you bring it through.
Better Option: It is recommended to place such items in checked baggage to avoid issues, or to leave them at home.
If you are found with such items, you may be able to turn them over to a non-traveling companion, or mail them to yourself if you have time, rather than letting them be confiscated, notes a report from WHEC.com.
That is a big enough issue for me to not use the same bag for range and air/cruise travel. I have only been swabbed a few times, hands and laptop, with no bad result. I travel often enough to have seen what others have gone through, and I don’t want to be one of those.
I did not state you cannot do it, just be aware that bad things can and do happen. As I stated there are people that have been prosecuted for stray rounds in carry-ons. The best way I know of to avoid that is not to use the same bag. Not worth the risk nor hassle to me.
I dropped a round in my car several years ago. After several searches and one very thorough search, I still did not find it. And I frequently find spent cases in my range bag.
Maybe, it’s an overreaction or legit concern. I’ve been told to wash with soap and cool water after a trip to the range. Not sure it’s wise to bring lead and particulate matters to a place other than a shooting range.
