Getting ready for summer? Nothing beats getting out there and traveling to new locales. No matter where your travels take you - here are some good tips about flying with your concealed carry firearms.
Know the TSA Guidelines on Concealed Carry Firearms
Want the good news? The good news is that the Transportation and Safety Administration has absolutely no problem with firearms. Plenty of people bring their firearms with them all over the country each year.
Bad news? There's virtually no legal chance TSA or any large private airline will allow you to transport your concealed carry firearm in a carry on bag let alone an inside .
Here's a summarized checklist for all the steps that need to be taken before a firearm can fly with you to your final destination:
- Firearms and ammunition have to be declared at the check-in counter.
- All firearms must be stored unloaded.
- All firearms and ammunition must be checked in as baggage.
- Firearms and ammunition have to be transported in a locked, hard-sided case.
- Ammunition has to be stored in a cardboard, fiber, metal or other specifically made box suited for ammunition.
- Ammunition can be stored with a firearm.
Good news - you can transport your rifle scopes and other optics as carry-on.
Bad news - if your hard-sided case box is equipped with alarms, the TSA will make a reasonable effort to notify you and that means waiting in the screening area of whatever airport you're in until they can bring the box out for you to disarm the alarm.
The takeaway? Concealed carry aboard civilian passenger jets is not approved by either the TSA or most airlines. Check the airline you have booked your ticket to ensure that there are no further issues. For a full disclosure of TSA rules and regulations surrounding checking firearms and ammunition - check out their site HERE..
Check with the Airlines for Firearm Transportation Compliance
Because the United States is that - a republic of individual states - each state, county, and municipality is open to interpret the 2nd Amendment and how it applies. That's why it's important to check with the airline ahead of time to make sure there are no issues with transporting your firearms.
For instance, taking a passenger jet from North Carolina to Alaska does leave the possibility of having a layover in any number of states in between - such as Illinois - which have specific prohibitions on the transportation of firearms. This especially gets tricky for airports located close to bigger cities. Logan International Airport, in Boston, is governed by the Greater Boston municipal laws in addition to the rather draconian anti-gun laws of Massachusetts. Having a layover there or having it be your final destination could be problematic.
Silver lining? While some states may have an issue with CCW reciprocity, it's amazing how many states are perfectly fine with open carry. So while your ability to conceal a firearm in an inside the waistband holster may be hindered - may be perfectly fine. Check with the state and city first.
Check CCW Reciprocity Prior to Rearming
Never take the firearm out of the box until certain that the state you're landing in acknowledges your state's concealed carry weapon permit.
Using Massachusetts again as an example - sorry Massachusetts - there are extremely strict laws and guidelines surrounding the transportation of firearms. And states like New York rarely acknowledge anyone's right to carry at all. So landing in JFK or Logan with intent to travel to, say, Vermont or New Hampshire, is dangerous ground for the concealed carrier.
In conclusion, while the TSA and most major airlines are completely alright with the transportation of firearms in checked baggage, transporting them out of the airport is tricky territory. Check out our article on and for more information about getting around the country with a concealed carry firearm.
FAQs
Can I carry a concealed firearm on an airplane?
Federal law strictly prohibits carrying firearms, including concealed handguns, in carry-on baggage or on your person aboard airplanes. Firearms must be unloaded, placed in a hard-sided locked container, and declared to the airline at check-in as part of your checked baggage.
What are the TSA requirements for traveling with firearms in checked luggage?
Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided container that cannot be easily opened. The locked container must be declared directly to the airline at ticket counters. Ammunition must be packed in boxes or other packaging designed for ammunition and may be stored in the same container as the firearm but not loaded in the firearm.
Are firearms or ammunition allowed in carry-on bags?
Firearms and ammunition are not allowed in carry-on bags. Attempting to bring a firearm through security checkpoints on your person or in carry-on luggage can result in confiscation, fines up to $17,000, criminal charges, and permanent revocation of TSA PreCheck and other trusted traveler benefits.
What penalties exist if I bring a loaded firearm to a TSA checkpoint?
Passengers carrying loaded firearms at security checkpoints face severe penalties, including civil fines up to $17,000, potential arrest, and criminal prosecution. TSA security officers are vigilant about intercepting firearms to ensure passenger safety.
Can I carry concealed in airport terminals or on flights?
Concealed carry is forbidden inside security screening areas, on aircraft, and in terminal areas where firearms are prohibited by federal or local law. Firearms can only be possessed in secured, declared checked baggage and must comply with all airline and TSA regulations.
Are pepper spray or non-lethal weapons allowed on planes?
Non-lethal self-defense items like pepper spray and stun guns are generally prohibited in carry-on baggage and may be allowed in checked baggage under strict size and packaging regulations. It is essential to check the TSA guidelines before packing these items.
What should I do to legally travel with firearms by air?
Prepare by ensuring your firearm is unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case, declare it at check-in, separate ammunition in approved containers, and verify specific airline or destination state laws ahead of travel. Familiarize yourself with TSA’s "What Can I Bring?" online tool to avoid confiscation or penalties.
Are there restrictions on traveling internationally with firearms on airplanes?
International travel with firearms is subject to additional laws of the destination and transit countries. Passengers must comply with all regulations, acquiring necessary permits or declarations, as failure to do so can lead to serious legal consequences abroad.
Can I carry a firearm if I have a concealed carry permit?
Having a concealed carry permit does not permit carrying a firearm through airport security or on the aircraft. All firearms must be treated as checked baggage and follow TSA and airline regulations regardless of state concealed carry laws.
Where can I find the most up-to-date federal regulations for carrying firearms on planes?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website provides the current rules for transporting firearms and ammunition by air. Their official "What Can I Bring?" page and travel security tips are authoritative resources for lawful travel with firearms.
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About The Author James England (@sir_jim_england) is the contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and private defense contracting in Afghanistan. |