The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which oversees civil aviation in the United States, has implemented strict regulations for traveling with guns and ammunition. Passengers who wish to travel by air may not board the plane with guns under any circumstances. Passengers can often pack their firearms in checked baggage but should consult the airline first.
In the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One of the agencies in the DHS is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which oversees security in civil aviation and other forms of transportation. The FAA oversees safety issues in aviation, and both agencies work together to coordinate policies. The FAA's website has a listing of TSA regulations for traveling with firearms.
The TSA prohibits passengers from carrying any kind of guns or gun parts, including pellet guns, BB guns and flare guns, on to planes. With certain conditions, the TSA allows standard firearms, ammunition, BB guns, compressed air guns, flare guns, gun parts, pellet guns, gun replicas and starter pistols in checked baggage. Travelers cannot transport flares or gunpowder, including black powder and percussion caps, even in checked baggage. Gun lighters are allowed in checked baggage only if they do not contain lighter fluid.
Even though guns and ammunition may generally be allowed in checked baggage, regulations call for certain conditions to be met. The firearm or flare gun must be unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided container and declared to the airline at check-in. Likewise all ammunition must be declared to the airline at check-in and packed in containers, such as fiber or metal boxes, specifically designed for transporting ammunition. For compressed air guns, such as paintball guns, the compressed air cylinder must not be attached.
Certain rules and regulations are left up to individual airlines. The major U.S. air carriers generally adhere to TSA policies. Most allow guns in checked baggage only if they are declared to a customer service agent at the ticket counter, not at curbside. Ammunition often is limited to 11 pounds, including the container. Always contact the airline, before traveling with firearms, to determine all the conditions.
The TSA is strict about enforcing gun regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and up to $10,000 per violation in civil penalties. If prosecutors decide to pursue a charge of boarding an aircraft with a concealed, dangerous weapon, the maximum prison term is 10 years.
