Another caution: You might read and understand the TSA's rules for traveling with firearms, but that doesn't mean the TSA person you're dealing with knows the rules. Print out the rules and take them with you, and if there is any issue don't bother arguing, just immediately ask to speak to a supervisor.

A quick Google search will find many instances where the TSA person had no idea what to do and/or gave incorrect information.

I think they might be cursed... Birds, Deer, Guns... Just waiting for the drugs and murder to show up they'll be complete.

@MitchEvious: *and they'll be complete*

Unloaded? He had the ammo and the gun with him. It should be treated as a loaded weapon.

Betchya even odds that this is one of those knuckleheaded concealed-and-carry wingnuts who thought it was his Jabezus' given right to lock-and-load in every square inch of the territorial United States because the NRA and AM talk radio told him it was true.
Got to keep the proles occupied with trivia, I guess. Although it must smart an awful lot when brutally confronted against the hard rock of reality.

@Trai_Dep: Add: Of course you can carry a gun while traveling on an airline. It's simply that whenyou do, you're not above the rules, Bubba. Suck it up, like an adult.

the bigger question is how the employee was able to get it through without being searched, and whether, if you believe in our general security strategy, this is a big loophole (of many).

How are employees screened at US Airways? This guy really seemed to exhibit poor judgement. That or he knew the system, figured he was unlikely to get caught, and was unlucky.

Scary.

Of course, declaring to the airline that you have a firearm in your checked baggage is a sure-fire way to have that firearm stolen by one of the airline's baggage handlers. Not that smuggling a weapon on the plane is a good solution to this problem, but would you be happy if the airport required you to put tags on your checked luggage with labels like "expensive laptop in this bag" or "easily fenced jewelry in this one!"?

The AP is reporting that the employee charged with smuggling a unloaded handgun and ammunition aboard a US Airways flight was trying to help his roommate avoid checking it.

In other news, water was determined to be wet and the absence of the Sun means that night has fallen.

...we'll be back with more of the Captain Obvious news report right after this word from Rock Star Energy Drink--the drink of the Savages!

@Trai_Dep: Gee, I'm not a knucklehead, but I am atheist, not a member of the NRA, don't listen to AM (I do listen to NPR), and I do believe I have the right to carry "in every square inch of the US" because that's what the Constitution says. Tell me, what part of "shall not be infringed" do you have a problem understanding?

Don't try the "private entity" argument. Airlines are public facilities/contract carriers.

@Josh: Actually, no, that is incorrect. They watch bags with guns very closely. In fact, if you want to ensure safe arrival of any checked bag, throw in a starter's pistol, and declare it at the counter.

Don't put your kilo of hash in there though...

@pegr: Oh, don't mind him. He thinks he's the smartest around here, but he's just the loudest. A one-trick pony, if you want to call yelling "capitalism sucks" much of a trick.

I used to work for Northwest for a summer last year, and I'm sure the rules are about the same.

First off, it seems like the best way to start the process (I wasn't trained on this specifically, but everyone did it from what I remember) is to talk to one of the people you check in with, and tell them what you have. They'll summon the right people. Obviously, bring as much documentation for the gun as you can, and come as early as reasonably possible (more security checks are needed than normal).

That said, I only had to go through security a dozen times when I worked that summer. A few times when I first started and didn't have my airport badge, and a few times when I'd be escorting passengers. Otherwise, we can use our badge and PIN number to get through a few doors within the airport, including those needed to go through security. Yes, we did have background checks done for that privilege, along with an hour-long lecture on acceptable things to do with the badge.

For one thing, we cannot use the badge to bypass security before a flight. An airport cop did that, everyone knew it was by accident, and he got a big fine and was fired, as I recall. They also test us as we are working. They sometimes have people walk in secure areas (not just the passenger areas, but areas near the tarmac) without the badge on. If you cannot see the badge, you are supposed to ask to see it. If they don't have one, and you report it, you get a reward. If you do nothing, and it's a decoy, you get a fine. One of my coworkers even got a citation when a plainclothes cop was able to come through a closing door into the secure area (piggybacking is a huge no-no).

The whole system is not foolproof, by any means, but it's not a free-for-all by any means, either. Sorry for the length of this, but some of you might find this interesting.

@pegr:

Trai is just a little ignorant and behind the times. He doesn't seem to realize that his progressive pals have left him behind. The latest push for the 2nd amendment as an individual right is from liberal/progressive legal scholars.

@pegr:

Tell me, what part of "shall not be infringed" do you have a problem understanding?

@pegr: Tell me, what part of "shall not be infringed" do you have a problem understanding?

For me, it's not so much the "shall not be infringed" part as the "well-regulated militia" part.

@hwyengr: You, I like.

@hwyengr: Sorry, the Heller ruling invalidated that argument. I can't believe people are still clinging to it.

@lawnmowerdeth:
Bah, it put my comment in the wrong place... Was supposed to be under hwyengr in the next thread.

@pegr: Are you the fabled THE TACTICAL, gooning up firing ranges with your specific brand of TAKES SHIT TOO FAR?

@William Brinkman:

On the Internets, they're referred to as OPERATORS (yes, in all caps)

BTW, pegr, you really think it's a good idea for people to carry guns in courts and bars?

@Trai_Dep: The standards for getting and maintaining a star get lower every day...

@Saisu Mimen: Is a rule and a sign going to stop someone from carrying out a crime? Exhibit A: Every school shooting, ever, which all took place in "gun free zones".

Nice, very detailed presentation from the LayerOne security conference, on flying legally with firearms

Protip: if you fly with firearms, it's basically impossible to get your other valuable stuff stolen because legally, you're required to be the only one with a key to the locks on your bag. If they search your bag, you have to be present.

@Canino:
Skip the printout as the page could be fake. Just ask the TSA guy if he is familiar with the rules for checking a firearm, then ask for a supervisor.

@Josh:
And the tag is inside the bag, on the locked (you have the only key) hardsided case.

@Travishamockery:
If you have everything stuffed into a gun case.

@pegr: Wait. You seriously think that there should be no restrictions on carrying loaded guns on airplanes? Ever? REALLY?!
Whoa. Just... Whoa.

@hwyengr: I always ask the people that feel that the 2nd A should have no restrictions, whatsoever, if the other amendments should similarly be treated so.
Not because I expect consistency, but just because it's amusing to watch them squirm and sputter so uncomfortably.

To the employee and the roommate, I say to f---ing bad. One or both needs to go to prison, if only to keep someone so stupid out of society for awhile. Especially since their stories don't jibe.

@jswilson64: _too_

dammit!

@Corporate_guy: Have you ever used a gun before? No bullets in the gun means it can't be used as a weapon. Hunters drive around with their ammo and their unloaded weapon locked in a case together. Does that make it loaded?

@pegr:

Tell that to all these people who had their guns stolen when flying....

"So far, KIRO Team 7 Investigators tracked at least 34 handguns presumed stolen, including 10 guns missing from LAX in Los Angeles, three in Portland, three in Tampa, and two each in San Antonio and Chicago O'Hare. Oakland, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Washington D.C. Dulles and Ronald Reagan airports reported thieves stealing handguns in secure areas of the airport as well."

'tard

@Shoelace: I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those meddling kids!

I've flown with a gun and ammunition on several occasions on multiple airlines.

The procedure for checking a firearm is the one thing that the airlines are not completely ridiculous about.

@jswilson64: Also, it's "jive."

It's perfectly legal to check your firearm. Why on earth would you smuggle it in for any reason other than a malicious one? I don't understand this guy's story at all. Why would he want to avoid checking it? Is it really that big of a hassle?

@kepler11: That's not even a question, really--airline employees just aren't searched. In 2 years of working for US Airways I was never searched, nor did I hear of a coworker being searched. It's a joke.

@Canino: Also be aware that paintball equipment sometimes has its own rules or sometimes falls under the firearm rules or like I experienced has posted rules, a different set of rules told to you over the phone, and yet another set of rules once you try to check bags.

@squinko: No, it doesn't make it loaded, but everyone aside from the person carrying the gun should treat it as loaded, because you can never be 100% sure (do you just trust someone to say, "It's not loaded, promise!"), ESPECIALLY in places like an airport.

@The-Lone-Gunman: What are you talking about? This is the first time we got the actual details of what happened. Before this, we weren't sure what relationship these two people had with each other. There's nothing "captain obvious" about it. Stop trying to be witty, it's not working.

If these 2 morons are talking to the FBI without an attorney combined with what the allegedly did regarding the gun and the bag then they are stupid to a degree I can't even begin to comprehend.

@Trai_Dep: I always ask them why they don't repeal it if they think it is vague and really only applies to organized militias. It's not like the militias would mind.

@korybing: People are dumb. See the stories about people trying to board with chainsaws, etc.

@Ben Miner:

Trust me, if you're ever in that back room being threatened to be held without charges on suspicion of terrorism (for as long as they want), you'll talk, too, whenever they want you to, lawyer or not.

There's a time and place where all integrity goes out the damn window.

@My father was a service droid!!!: Nope. (From dictionary.com, but any number of sources will agree: jibe: -verb (used without object), jibed, jib⋅ing.
to be in harmony or accord; agree: The report does not quite jibe with the commissioner's observations. "

@Canino: Also make sure you know what the legal carry and registration requirements for the local area are too. If you try checking a hand gun from an airport in NJ and are from NJ and fail to possess the correct license/registration you are in deep trouble if the local police get you. The TSA might not care but the local cops will.

Famous last words:
"So, we'll save you the money for buying a hardcase to lock your gun into."