so first time flying with a firearm… im from Wisconsin heading to Alaska for a few weeks… so naturally wanted to take my edc… ive been super nervous about it… well ill tell ya… proper case and read the rules… declared I had firearm. Signed that it was unloaded and properly cased… followed tsa to screening station which was right there… scanned it gave me the thumbs up… less then 2 minutes. So if you are traveling through ohare have no worries… easy peasy
Thx for info.
Let’s know how Alaskan airport handles this.
That would be great if we use this thread to share experience with airports.
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Good thing to know! thanks for the Share.
I would also provide caution to anyone having NYC as a layover spot. There has been dozens of cases where people following all of TSA rules have been arrested due to NYC law is more strict and the TSA allowance will not protect you here. They also won’t tell you that you just signed away your firearm for confiscation or possible arrest in a city you never planned to go to.
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Awesome information Sir. Thank you for sharing
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Really good to brother thank you for sharing I did not know that about NYN.
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I’ve flown twice with firearms from Phoenix to Atlanta. The first time I looked up the TSA and the airlines regulations. I also printed them out as well to take with me. The first time I took 5 firearms in a rifle case locked. and when I got to the ticket counter and declared I had firearms the person at the ticket counter didn’t know what to do. And I showed them the printout. They had me fill out the paper work and put it in the rifle case and then took me to the TSA to be checked out. Passed no problem. Got to Atlanta and had to go to the baggage claim office to pick up the rifle case because it had to be delivered by a person and not on the baggage carousel with the luggage. and it took around 45 minutes for it to come. When I was coming home I did the same thing. But in Atlanta they did not take me to TSA. I had to go by myself. But again no problem. When I got Phoenix I again had to go to the baggage claim office to get the rifle case. But this time it was waiting for me. The second time I went to Atlanta I packed the gun in a locked case and packed it in my suit case. And went through TSA no problems on either end.
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I had a similar experience flying out of O’Hare with shotguns. It was easy to check in. When I returned and claimed my guns I was escorted by police until my ride picked me up. They were polite and I had no concerns but they were real interested in how long it would take for my ride to to arrive.
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Well anchorage bag came out regular carousel with other luggage … also had connecting flight in Seattle bag got transfered no issues…
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Just a friendly reminder that for tsa you can’t have mags inserted in firearms (pistol and rifle) regardless of whether or not the mag is loaded. Fixed or internal (some bolt actions) generally should be fine, but keep it unloaded anyway.
Also, if your mags are loaded ensure that it is completely encased (case foam cut out, mag holster, or mag pouch should fit the bill) don’t just simply put the mags under the foam of the case (pelican type might be fine) but clamshell type snaplock case are probably no good. Finally, no loose ammo means no loose ammo, that includes the “plus one” from the chamber. If you can’t resolve that issue, just keep it in an appropriate ammo box and yes, the mtm plastic boxes are acceptable.
Your mileage may vary as different tsa airports might have different local policies, but general adherence to the above will provide a degree of smoother sailing.
That’s all I have for now. Stay safe.
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I just recently traveled back from Alaska. TSA handled my firearm with kid gloves, unlike Minneapolis. Minneapolis I had to hand them the keys and they unlocked the case and relocked it. Dug around in my luggage without a care. Anchorage lifted the gun case out of my luggage carefully, held onto it while I unlocked it. Picked it up gently to check the case, placed it back gently and allowed me to relock it. While it was an easy process on both ends, I sure appreciate the Anchorage TSA’s handling of my precious cargo and I thanked him for it.
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Welcome to the family brother and you are blessed to be here.
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Transported a gun on a plane just like you did once. All went very smoothly. BUT, when I got to the security station, I was “randomly selected” for the full pat-down check. And that happened on my very next flight too. Two diff airports. Coincidence? Had never happened before or after.
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There are many times a person flying with a gun in suitcase has had to make an unscheduled stop in a gun-vicious city only to have big legal problems when they claimed the suitcase. If in NYC, and I would expect O’Hare too, you can’t claim the suitcase because of the gun. DON’T PICK UP THAT SUITCASE!
I flew into Boston once on my way to New Hampshire and was questioned when I picked up the suitcase because of the gun. I explained I was passing through to N.H. I was warned not to leave the interstate in Massachusetts.
Know before you go! But for unscheduled stops, see if you can call someone to get to the USCCA site and know your limitations, BEFORE you step in it. The fact that you need your suitcase for an overnight stay has nothing to do with gun laws there.
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It’s amazing, but the only states I would consider going into are the states that have reciprocity with Florida. I plan trips accordingly. And being that I would never even consider stepping on another airplane, subjecting myself to the indigities of the TSA “Gestapo”, makes it easy to do so. I prefer to drive to wherever I go and consider the drive itself the best part if the journey. I have no urge to even step into any state that violates any of my Constitutional rights, and because of that simple FACT I boycott them and would not consider spending any of my money or time in them. The problem today is too many people talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. And that is why states like those along the “left coast” and any of those Communist states in the Northeast exist including Illinois, Minnesota, and the state of my birth Wisconsin in the Midwest. People talk trash about them but refuse to follow their bold talk with any kind of real action. And although I would love to see Alaska someday, I refuse to fly there and to drive there would require driving through “Wimpy Socialist Canada” sadly I will never do so.
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@Busterdog - that is why, when my wife and I drove from Florida to Minnesota for our daughter’s wedding in June 2019, we planned our drive to avoid Illinois.
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I will never understand peoples issue with il concealed carry… other then they wont honor any other state but their rules are awesome for passing through… wisconsin if you dont have reciprocity you have to unload and case the firearms…illinois you can carry it the whole time other then when you get out of the car… easy solution dont buy anything there and carry on just pass throughlike you should… mn sucks but I’m there alot so I just went and got cc for mn. No biggie.
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I’m not planning to go to New York or New York City anytime soon or in the future for that matter, but my question is why would they confiscate your firearm if you declared it legally and lawfully?
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Welcome to the family brother and you are blessed to be here.
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