Flying firearms owners are being advised, along with other air travelers, to check their guns as has long been required, but leave your luggage unlocked for possible inspection by federal screeners, and hope for the best.
Under a new advisory issued in mid-December by Adm. James Loy, head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), air travelers are advised to leave their bags unlocked “so screeners won’t have to force them open to search them by hand.” Instead of padlocks, he suggested using cable ties or zip ties.
But TSA spokesman Brian Turmail told Gun Week that legally-armed citizens who fly with firearms in their luggage may not be able to observe baggage screeners who go through their luggage. Instead, he insisted that screeners work in groups, and under constant supervision, so the potential for theft of a handgun from inside a closed suitcase would be minimized.
Likewise, Bob Coleman, deputy federal security director for TSA at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, told Gun Week that, “TSA would rather not get into a situation where they are damaging people’s property.”
Coleman said inspection scenarios will likely differ from airport to airport, because no two are designed exactly the same. TSA is working to accommodate those designs in its security screening, and in some cases, those traveling with firearms or other valuables may be able to watch their bags go through screening devices, while in other places they may not.
“We understand travelers’ concerns,” Coleman assured, “and we’re trying to think through that regarding our procedures, and trying to avoid creating additional heartache for people. It’s a balancing act. Ultimately, if we need to search something we have a duty to do that, but if we do, we’d rather not damage someone’s property for no good reason.”
Coleman said that if travelers discover their bags have been tampered with and a firearm is missing, they need to report that immediately to a ticket agent or security personnel.
One bit of advice about preventing loss of luggage is to not dally at arrival gates, but to go quickly to the baggage claim area to retrieve your bags.
“If a bag goes around three or four times, there are people who watch for that kind of thing,” he cautioned.
Those people are baggage thieves.
In the event a checked firearm is lost, the best suggestion Turmail could offer is to call a toll-free telephone number—866-289-9673—and report the problem. TSA is not liable for damage to luggage if it has to be broken into for a search, nor is it apparently liable if a firearm disappears, Turmail said.
Federal air regulations about flying with firearms have not changed under new security procedures adopted by the government since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Under those guidelines, all firearms must be checked at the check-in counter and declared by travelers. Guns must be stored, unloaded, in locked, hard-sided cases and only passengers may have the key. Locked handgun cases should be stored inside other luggage. A firearms tag is issued to travelers when guns are declared, and that tag must be placed inside the luggage, so that there is no visible notice to potential thieves that a piece of luggage contains a firearm.
Ammunition must be carried in a hard-sided container. You may not fly with blackpowder, which is classified as an explosive.
Some security screening tests for explosives, and Turmail declined to explain whether this type of check might mistake ammunition for explosives and give a false reading. Some food items will give a false positive reading, according to Associated Press.
Scissors, pocket knives and other sharp objects are still not allowed as carry-on items. These should all be placed in your checked luggage.
Clothing should be bagged and gifts must be left unwrapped.
Turmail said airports will differ in the actual screening procedures In some cases, passengers might be able to observe their bags being searched if necessary, while in other airports, such checks are done in “screening rooms.” Eventually, he said, such rooms may be equipped with video cameras, but they are apparently not so equipped at present.
Professionals
He insisted that screeners are “professional and well-trained,” to prevent the kind of thievery that occasionally is traced to airport baggage handlers.
If luggage is searched, screeners will automatically insert a notice of that inspection inside the searched luggage. Turmail confirmed that if luggage is locked and screening is necessary, the locks will be broken. In those cases, TSA is not financially liable for damage to the luggage.
He said that in cases of a firearm being “misplaced,” if it is located it will be quickly returned to the owner.
“We have appropriate measures in place to make sure that we treat a customer’s bag with respect,” he insisted.
Travelers who want more information about the new luggage regulations may check the government website at: www.TSATravelTips.us.
Return to Archive Index