Safe Air Travel with a Firearm and Ammunition

Your complete guide to flying commercially with a gun

With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, many hunters are planning their fall and winter hunting trips. While most excursions will take place in their home state or surrounding states, some will come to a crossroads: do I fly or drive for that hunting trip several states away?

There are certainly benefits to both, but flying always raises some concerns for our beloved firearms. 

Firearms and ammunition rules for major U.S. airlines

Though a relatively simple process, checking a firearm can quickly turn into a nightmare if you’re not prepared before walking up to the counter. 

First, as soon as you book your flight, you’ll want to review the policy for each airline as it pertains to firearms and ammunition. Most are similar, if not identical, but it’s important to know the specific guidelines to save a headache. In every instance, you must be at least 18 years old to check shooting equipment at the airline desk, it must be unloaded in a locked hard case, and you must sign a firearm declaration tag. Buying a TSA-approved lock will help expedite the process; some airlines require more locks than others. You also must know the firearm laws for cities you plan to commute through.

“It’s more the run-of-the-mill gun owner that brings a gun to a checkpoint which is our main concern,” Transportation Security Administration Public Affairs spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said. “Hunters or sportsmen flying with their firearms are typically traveling with long guns so they seem to know they need to pack them, unloaded, in a hard-sided case, that the case needs to be locked, and they take it to the airline counter and check it in that way. Or they ship it.

“Some airlines have limits on the number of firearms you can transport, and if they want to transport multiple long guns, then they know to ship it.”

Ammunition must be checked in the original packaging or in a container made of fiber, wood, or metal. The container must be designed specifically to hold ammunition and cannot exceed 11 pounds. Most airlines don’t allow ammunition to be checked that is in magazines or clips, but some have exceptions to this rule. Keep in mind, those traveling with a firearm may need to supply the key or combination upon request from a TSA agent during screening, so it needs to stay in the owner’s possession at all times. 

Here are the different rules for each U.S. airline: 

Other rules

Due to the nature of hunting, some individuals may want to have bear spray or other equipment such as camping gear, knives, medical gear, and flammable items for their trip. 

Nearly all medical equipment is allowed. If you’re taking eye drops or other liquids, it must be less than the 3.4-ounce maximum. Some liquid medical supplies can be taken in higher quantities, but a traveler must declare them at the TSA checkpoint. Diabetic supplies, such as insulin and pumps, must be declared at the checkpoint together and be clearly identified.

Bear spray and bear bangers are prohibited in any luggage. If you plan on cooking, keep in mind that all propane or gas canisters are prohibited; however, camp stoves are allowed. There are specific rules for lighters, too, as you can take a Zippo or disposable lighter without fuel in a carry-on, but lighters with fuel aren’t allowed unless in an approved Department of Transportation case. If in the approved case, they are allowed in checked bags only.

Empty coolers, fishing poles and small lures, sleeping bags, crampons, tents, and hand- and feet-warmers are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Cast iron cookware, knives, trekking poles, and tent stakes and poles aren’t permitted by TSA in carry-on luggage but are allowed in checked luggage.

Farbstein also pointed out that, because some hunters will wear specific clothing or bring certain bags to the airport, it’s best to double-check for any loose bullets or shells, spent shells, knives, or any other items that aren’t allowed at a checkpoint.

“Whatever it is, empty it out,” she said. 

One other tip Farbstein provided was to know the firearm laws for the state you’re traveling to, and if it requires specific paperwork or permits to have those with you. 

Because rules may differ depending on the individual TSA agent or airline desk, it’s best to give yourself a liberal amount of time when heading to the airport for a hunting trip. For other specific needs or questions, Farbstein suggests using the MyTSA app or typing in the item at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all to check if it’s allowed. You can also consult the TSA social media team on Twitter or Facebook. 

All in all, Farbstein’s most important piece of advice is, “Do not bring a firearm to a checkpoint.”

“TSA has the authority to issue financial civil penalties to people who have violated any firearms laws and regulations. The most common one is that people bring firearms, typically handguns, to checkpoints,” she said. “It’s going to slow you down. It’s going to result in the police notification to resolve the incident. You might miss your flight. You’re not going to be able to travel with your firearm unless it’s packed properly.” 

“The most common excuse is, ‘I forgot I had my gun with me.’ The second most common excuse is, ‘My husband packed my bag,’ or, ‘My wife packed my bag.’ I can tell you, neither of those excuses fly. If you own a firearm you need to know where it is at all times. The vast majority of people who travel with firearms do it properly, and TSA is going to make sure that your firearm is transported to your destination. Just do it the right way is all we ask. It’s really simple.”