TSA
Public Education Fact Sheet
TRANSPORTING FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ABOARD COMMERCIAL AIR CARRIERS
After two years of aggressive public education on prohibited items, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to struggle with
communicating the issue of how to properly transport guns and ammunition
aboard commercial air carriers. In recent months, reports have included
at least three or four gun incidents each day across the country. Checkpoint
screeners have done an excellent job in detecting the weapons and keeping
them off airplanes, but each situation causes delays in the screening
process.
Another related cause
of delays is the frequent occurrence of weapons not properly declared
and packed. Baggage screeners often find guns-loaded and unloaded-amidst
clothing and other items in checked bags. Since most instances involve
travelers who are not aware of the gun transport rules or who have unknowingly
presented the weapon at a checkpoint, the TSA hopes a massive public information
campaign will help reduce the number of incidents and resulting unnecessary
delays.
TSA is reaching out
to gun dealers, sports associations, law enforcement organizations and
others to help get the message out concerning the rules for transporting
firearms, firearm parts and ammunition. The Federal requirements regarding
travel with firearms and ammunition aboard commercial air carrier are
listed below. For additional information, go to the TSA Website at http://www.tsa.gov/public.
- Firearms are prohibited
from carry-on baggage.
- Firearms must be
checked with the air carrier as luggage.
- Firearms and ammunition
must be declared orally or in writing in accordance with the
air carrier's procedures.
- All firearms must
be unloaded.
- The firearm must
be carried in a hard-sided container.
- The container must
be locked and only the passenger may retain the key or combination.
- Ammunition is prohibited
from carry-on luggage.
- Ammunition may
not be carried loose.
- Ammunition must
travel in the manufacturer's packaging or other packaging suitable for
transport.
- Ammunition may
be packed in the same hard-sided, locked case as the firearm as long
as it complies with packaging requirements as stated above and the air
carrier permits it to be packed with the firearm.
- Firearm parts may
not be transported in carry-on baggage.
Failure to fully comply
with these requirements may result in civil and/or criminal penalties
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