Gun In Checked Luggaged In Hard Case Built In Lock Or Is Tsa Approved Lock Ok?

American Airlines will no longer accept firearms in checked baggage to/from the United Kingdom (except for military/government personnel with proper documentation).

The information shown below pertains to travel within the United States only... For information on the transportation of firearms and ammunition to international destinations, please contact Reservations.

Ammunition must be packed in its original packaging. Loose ammunition or clips will not be accepted.

Pellet and BB guns are not considered firearms, and therefore, do not require any special handling or documentation.

Maximum per case is three rifles/shotguns or five pistols/revolvers, five lbs. ammunition ... There is no limit on the amount of cases allowed.

Ammunition is limited to 11 lbs. per passenger

There are a number of customer comments that confirm American Airlines' unwillingness to make transport of fireram-bearing luggage easy for international travelers. Why this is remains a mystery to me. It is the responsibility of passengers, not the airlines, to comply with the laws in any nation where they are traveling.

TSA

Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts may only be transported in checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers (LEOs) who are authorized to fly armed by meeting the requirements of 49 CFR § 1544.219.

Following is a summary of key regulatory requirements to transport firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage:

• All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process.
• The firearm must be unloaded.
• The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
• The container must be locked.
• The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared.
• Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
• Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
• The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.
• Black powder and percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.

The regulations are strictly enforced. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and the imposition of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Air carriers may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition an individual may place in checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the air carrier regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.