TSA Rifle Inspection Issues

James.Grage · Aug 15, 2014

While departing Albuquerque this year with my rifle packed in my Tuff-Pac the TSA group had to call the local police to determine if it was un-loaded. This took about 1 hour for a police officer to arrive and make an visual inspection of the rifle. You could tell the officer was not happy when they left the security room after the inspection.

I pack my bolt Rifle in a soft case in the Tuff-Pac the bolt is removed and located in the side pouch on the soft case. I was asked to wait at the counter while the case was being inspected. I was later informed that a Police officer need to be called to verify that the rifle was safe an unloaded.

I have my bag all set up for the zipper on the case to be opened and the rifle will slide right out of the case. When we landed in Jo'Berg, i knew that my case was dumped out and items were placed in hap hazard. This resulted in my having to re-sight my rifle in camp. 1st time the sight in had move on a safari.

Just a little heads up for travelers.

BRICKBURN · Aug 15, 2014

Simply Amazing.

adgunner · Aug 15, 2014

I sympathize completely James. I had a similiar experience heading back into Canada with an over/under Verney-Carron. They opened up the case and proceeded to attempt to open the breach, it was obvious that neither of them had a clue and with my eyes getting wider at their attempts to practically hammer open my shotgun i tried to verbally aid them and was quickly reminded to stay behind the red line. A police officer was summoned who had no idea, but he thankfully came over and asked me how to open the breach. Some basic firearms trg is required for folks in these positions one would think.

spike.t · Aug 15, 2014

and didnt i read somewhere your TSA lot wanted to be issued guns..............

BigSteve57 · Aug 15, 2014

TSA inspected our rifles at Dulles while we watched from "behind the red line". We used Pelican 1750's and had the rifles laying in foam with bolts out. Guns arrived in Namibia perfectly. No problem.

I would avoid packing arrangements which require your rifle to be packed "just so" (with clothes etc...) or anything but a hard case like a Pelican.

sierraone · Aug 15, 2014

James.Grage said:
While departing Albuquerque this year with my rifle packed in my Tuff-Pac the TSA group had to call the local police to determine if it was un-loaded. This took about 1 hour for a police officer to arrive and make an visual inspection of the rifle. You could tell the officer was not happy when they left the security room after the inspection.

I pack my bolt Rifle in a soft case in the Tuff-Pac the bolt is removed and located in the side pouch on the soft case. I was asked to wait at the counter while the case was being inspected. I was later informed that a Police officer need to be called to verify that the rifle was safe an unloaded.

I have my bag all set up for the zipper on the case to be opened and the rifle will slide right out of the case. When we landed in Jo'Berg, i knew that my case was dumped out and items were placed in hap hazard. This resulted in my having to re-sight my rifle in camp. 1st time the sight in had move on a safari.

Just a little heads up for travelers.

Sorry this happened James, but we must not forget that the majority of people, that are not shooters or hunters, know virtually nothing about firearms. As a retired police officer, I saw on many occasions that with the exception of issued weapons, many officers knew nothing about firearms. In my opinion that was because they had no interest in them.

SCJagter · Aug 15, 2014

That sounds all to familiar from the good ole people at TSA!! Got to love job creation but no education.

PHOENIX PHIL · Aug 15, 2014

sierraone said:
Sorry this happened James, but we must not forget that the majority of people, that are not shooters or hunters, know virtually nothing about firearms. As a retired police officer, I saw on many occasions that with the exception of issued weapons, many officers knew nothing about firearms. In my opinion that was because they had no interest in them.

You just stirred up an unpleasant memory. By far the worst example of gun safety I've ever witnessed was provided by a former police officer. It was also the closest I've ever come to being shot.

I won't boar you with the full story but the morning started off as a "competitive" quail hunt to prove who had the biggest set. It continued with him telling me that because quail move at the speed of light that you must carry your shotgun with the safety off...........

ArmyGrunt · Aug 15, 2014

Baffling how the uneducated can demonstrate their ignorance sometimes. If you can look from one end to the other and see all the way thru a metal tube, clearly it isn't loaded with anything. I'm fairly certain a grade school child could tell you there is nothing in the pipe. Yet there remains job security for these agents..

I agree with sierraone about officers having little interest in firearms. I talk to several of the local officers during my daily work, and some have stated they really don't care about guns. It breaks my heart

BRICKBURN · Aug 15, 2014

After all this I was reminded of a similar incident I survived.

The check-in agent forgot to get me to sign a little piece of paper that said it was unloaded.
Never even crossed my mind.
I declared the gun to her and then proceeded into US Customs.
At Customs we went in the "back room", I opened the locked case, showed the Customs officer the shotgun was unloaded and what it was, (serial number matched my permit)
Good enough, off it went to the baggage handlers.

Half an hour later I'm paged. Never a good sign.
Airline rep/baggage guy want me to sign an authorization allowing them to open my case.
(Oh, yeah. I am now surrounded by FIVE police officers. Two baggage folks, three airline staff and a Partridge in a Pear tree.)

I refused to sign the release (to destroy my locking case.)
All the while stating; I had shown it to US customs, cleared it and declared it to the airline check-in agent.

I turned to the Police Sergeant and stated that I would be more than happy to open the case for him. Have the baggage guy bring it up stairs to me right there in the concourse.
I again state to him I had shown the firearm to US customs, cleared it and declared it to the airline.

The Sergeant immediately concluded this situation was stupid and said it was fine.
The airline lady had me sign the declaration it was unloaded and the ammunition was separate.
I got a copy, the baggage guy got a copy and the police went for coffee and so did I.

One "new ticket agent", one sleepy hunter and an zealous baggage guy can create a wonderful adrenalin rush in the morning.

I appreciate the heads up James.

CAustin · Aug 15, 2014

I have checked in twice at Kansas City on Delta with no issues. Counter people were experienced. I checked the guns through all the way to JNB. Now coming back this time someone at TSA did open my checked bag where the Ammo box was. Atlanta for sure. Thank goodness I put TSA locks on it so they didn't cut them off. The rifles came up to the gun room just fine and the two guys in there knew what they were doing. The fun part was when I got selected to go through additional screening so they could spray down my boots with disinfectant. The joys of international travel right?

sestoppelman · Aug 15, 2014

James, my June trip was a nightmare of gun inspection by TSA, Port Security, CBP, having to physically make my own transfers between airlines, on tramways, rechecking etc., etc. I think this is all geared towards making travelling with guns so unpleasant and such a PITA

, that we will quit doing it and just rent or borrow guns at destination! We all worry and fret about going thru SAPS in RSA. That's a walk in the park compared to the utter crap

we had to put up with this last trip! When I go next time, I am going to seriously consider leaving my guns at home

, as it would make the travel part soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier!

Hogpatrol · Aug 16, 2014

In the last 18 months, twice through Dulles, once through Philly, once through Lubbock, TX and two arrivals at SAP, never had one iota of problem. Went so smooth, I couldn't believe it. I guess some airports are manned by morons.

Bhfs300 · Aug 16, 2014

BRICKBURN said:
After all this I was reminded of a similar incident I survived.

The check-in agent forgot to get me to sign a little piece of paper that said it was unloaded.
Never even crossed my mind.
I declared the gun to her and then proceeded into US Customs.
At Customs we went in the "back room", I opened the locked case, showed the Customs officer the shotgun was unloaded and what it was, (serial number matched my permit)
Good enough, off it went to the baggage handlers.

Half an hour later I'm paged. Never a good sign.
Airline rep/baggage guy want me to sign an authorization allowing them to open my case.
(Oh, yeah. I am now surrounded by FIVE police officers. Two baggage folks, three airline staff and a Partridge in a Pear tree.)

I refused to sign the release (to destroy my locking case.)

All the while stating; I had shown it to US customs, cleared it and declared it to the airline check-in agent.

I turned to the Police Sergeant and stated that I would be more than happy to open the case for him. Have the baggage guy bring it up stairs to me right there in the concourse.
I again state to him I had shown the firearm to US customs, cleared it and declared it to the airline.

The Sergeant immediately concluded this situation was stupid and said it was fine.
The airline lady had me sign the declaration it was unloaded and the ammunition was separate.
I got a copy, the baggage guy got a copy and the police went for coffee and so did I.

One "new ticket agent", one sleepy hunter and an zealous baggage guy can create a wonderful adrenalin rush in the morning.

I appreciate the heads up James.

HI

I am going to SA next month and last time I went with a bow

This time I am going to take a rifle instead so I can see more of the country.
I went to get some locks for my new gun case and Ammo case. The person at the gun department said that I should find out what kind of locks I could put on the gun case and Pelican case that I am going to put in my other piece of checked baggage. Do I have to get some kind of special locks or can I just have it locked when I check it in to the airlines.
Could I get some help on what I need time is running out.????

Tom

Areaonereal · Aug 17, 2014

Just got back in June from SA. For you Pellican case. Put 2 or more keyed alike padlocks. You have the keys in your possession at all times these are locks of your choice.....NOT TSA locks..... Now for your ammo box TSA locks will suffice as it is in your checked baggage that is also with TSA locks. FYI...take some extra padlocks in your carry on. Never know when they come in handy.... Make sure you have extra copies of all documents for yor guns. Keep a full set in the Pelican, easy to access at the SAPSpermit station and also coming back thru US customs.

TSA Rifle Inspection Issues

James.Grage

BRICKBURN

adgunner

spike.t

BigSteve57

sierraone

SCJagter

PHOENIX PHIL

ArmyGrunt

BRICKBURN

CAustin

sestoppelman

Hogpatrol

Bhfs300

Areaonereal

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