Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts can only be carried in checked baggage. Law enforcement officers may carry their weapons on board as long as they meet the TSA's requirements. These include a mandatory training program on flying armed, and submission of a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System message before travel. All firearms need to be declared to airline staff during check-in, whether they are in baggage or carried on.
All firearms that are carried in checked baggage must be unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container. You will have to declare verbally and in writing to the airline at check-in that the firearm is unloaded. The lock must completely secure the container, so that it can't be opened by any other method. At check-in, you will have to unlock the case and show the security officer the firearm. You will keep the key. The airline must stow the bag containing the firearm in a location passengers do not have access to.
All ammunition must be packed in a cardboard, wood or metal box--or a type of box specifically designed to hold ammunition. Ammunition can be carried in a magazine, but the magazine must completely enclose the ammunition, such as by placing it in a holster. Ammunition can be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, but must be packed and not left loose. Most airlines limit ammunition to 11 lbs. per passenger, although some airlines limit the number of rounds and some require the ammunition to be packed separately from the firearm.
