TSA Tips For Wyomingites Flying With Firearms

Hunting seasons are well underway not only in Wyoming but across the country. I know it's hard to believe, but some folks will travel out of state for hunting opportunities elsewhere. When you do, you can drive or fly. If you fly, are you going to take your own firearm with you?

If so, you'll need to prepare for a few extra steps and extra checked baggage.

According to iflycasper.com, you're allowed (most of the time) up to five firearms in one hard-sided and properly locked case. The number of firearms depends on where you're traveling to. Always check with the airport, airlines, and TSA to make sure you have everything in order before you leave the house.

You have to notify the airline and TSA that you have firearms/ ammo.

You have to make sure the firearms and any ammo are packed properly and can't be accessed or even touched. If they're not stored properly, they likely won't let you check them in.

According to TSA, to bring ammunition with you on the trip:

• Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
• Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
• Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline.
• You may transport ammunition in the same hard-sided, locked case as a firearm if you pack it as described above. You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.

For Firearms:

• When traveling, comply with firearm possession laws, which vary by local, state, and international governments.
• If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements before you travel.
• Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
• Firearms must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container, and transported only as checked baggage. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5, a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. For civil enforcement purposes, TSA also considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger.
• You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
• Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint. You may find information on civil penalties at the Civil Enforcement page.
• Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts, and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
• Replica firearms, including toy replicas, may be transported only in checked baggage.
• Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information, contact your airline, the airport, or TSA.