Using TSA approved locks on Gun case or Ammunation case

[UpNorthMI]

not to hijack the thread about locks, but the last time through Newark our group handed our keys over for them to inspect the rifles and cases out of our sight...we were not allowed to be in the room.

My last hunting trip involved flying back from Australia through LAX, going through customs was an easy and positive experience, we had to change terminals for our flight back to Michigan, TSA wanted to inspect our firearms again to check in, they insisted on doing so in a room where we were not allowed, I asked for a manager and requested to be present, we were refused. We had to hand over our gun cases and keys. I watched the TSA guy through the door as he opened my Pelican case upside-down and all the parts of my double rifle and Blaser rifle / scopes fell out of the fitted cut foam inlay onto the inside of the flat foam lid !!!!!!! I had to watch him try to insert every thing back into its place in my rifle case. These people are clueless and cannot even work out how to open a Pelican case up correctly, luckily there was no noticeable damage to my $25,000 worth of rifle and optics.

 

[HankBuck]

I use non-TSA combination locks, 4 on my gun case, 2 on my ammo case. However, I take a spare set of TSA combination locks with me just in case some uninformed agent raises a stink, which has happened to me.

@WAB - remember >> ALL << TSA Agents are “Uninformed”

 

[Philip Glass]

I think @Philip Glass cut his lock holes off his Pelican case so he could use just two locks.

Yep,sure did. Not sure why everyone doesn't do this as soon as they get a new gun case.

Thread 'So They Want A Lock In Each Hole?'

Jun 14, 2017

You probably know that TSA is now requiring a lock in every hole on your gun case. That sounds like an inconvenience to me so.......

I hate regulations and yes its hot in Texas!
Regards,
Philip

• Philip Glass
• gun cases pelican case philip glass tsa locks
• Replies: 150
• Forum: Articles

• 

 

[Philip Glass]

That doesn’t always work. I had a similar experience with TSA while flying out of my home airport, SMF. I was summoned over the PA system and went back to check-in counter where a TSA agent was waiting. She wanted the combination to the lock on my gun case, which I was not willing to give her. I told her I would go with her to open the case but she refused and insisted on being given the combination or my guns wouldn’t be loaded if I didn’t give her the combination. I told her I wanted her supervisor and she replied that she was the most senior supervisor on duty. We were flying to Hermosillo via PHX and I didn’t want my gun left behind, so I took all of her ID information and told her pointedly that if anything was missing or damaged that I’d be holding her personally accountable. I boarded my flight and everything arrived without a problem.

I did some research later and concluded that she did things pretty much ‘by the book’,didn’t need to take me in back and did have the authority to stop my gun from being loaded. Now when I check in with guns I ask the ticket agent to contact TSA and ask if they’d like to inspect my gun while I’m at the counter.

@NDWoods
Yall have to understand that you have no control in these situations. You may NOT go in most of the TSA back rooms at any time.
Thinking anyone has any control due to the type of lock you have chosen is foolishness and will lead to your gun not arriving at your destination. Then we will have another ambassador for "It's too hard, use the camp gun!"
While yall are having the argument I'll be relaxing with a drink in the lounge.

 

[Philip Glass]

Sorry this happened to you but SA Police are just one consideration. This is rare but is going to happen once in a while.

I would rather deal with some stolen ammo on the way home once in a while than miss a flight on the way to Africa due to being paged for a key or forced to go open my ammo case that I put regular padlocks on. I use regular padlocks on my firearm case but I use TSA locks on my ammo case ever since I was paged by TSA to open my ammo case. I was told to use TSA locks on ammo by those TSA Officers or risk missing flights or having the luggage containing my ammo case, seized or delayed. This has worked for 13 trips to Africa and I have never had ammo stolen on my way home but I suppose it could happen. I’m willing to take that risk.

And I've had gate and TSA agents say that TSA locks on the rifle case are the only way they can clear the rifle for loading in the plane at some airports.

 

[Philip Glass]

I’m surprised they would know to recognize Swift A Frames, but that’s a lot more ammo than most hunters leave Zimbabwe with. Probably a tempting target if they knew who to sell them to.

They all know Andy Buchannan from TIA and all he talks about is Swift ammo. He is in that airport office picking up clients every month

 

[Philip Glass]

It doesn't matter. I've had non TSA locks opened. If they want in, they will get in.

So true!

 

[Philip Glass]

Agree that the generation of equipment in use at the time would affect procedures. But... Pretty sure the scanner technology at the airport has zero impact on how many locks that TSA required me to place on my gun case for security. It was locked and secure with one lock. Double locked with two. So, why require me to place four? And if that is really necessary, why was two enough on the next trip? Inconsistent at best. Arbitrary perhaps. If it is based on the opinion or whims of the staff on duty at the time, that is just unprofessional. Sorry, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.

Because we have many idiots using the cheap, flimsy Plano type cases to fly over seas with. They need four locks, a few zip ties, and some duct tape to stay shut. We would not have this new rule if everyone flew with a Pelican!

 

[HankBuck]

Because we have many idiots using the cheap, flimsy Plano type cases to fly over seas with. They need four locks, a few zip ties, and some duct tape to stay shut. We would not have this new rule if everyone flew with a Pelican!

@Philip Glass your “logic” is misplaced and would be LOST on TSA - 4 locks on a paper bag would likely meet their Requirements.

 

[Scott CWO]

And I've had gate and TSA agents say that TSA locks on the rifle case are the only way they can clear the rifle for loading in the plane at some airports.

That’s wrong. At all large USA airports, after firearm cases are tagged by the check-in agent, you follow a porter who takes your firearm case to the TSA scanner room where you wait and watch a TSA Officer scan and/or open your firearm case with your key. The firearm case tag number is then logged into the TSA database so that nobody else with TSA or the airline needs to open your firearm case again. The porter then takes your firearm case to the baggage handlers and you go to your gate.

 

[Tex .416]

That’s wrong. At all large USA airports, after firearm cases are tagged by the check-in agent, you follow a porter who takes your firearm case to the TSA scanner room where you wait and watch a TSA Officer scan and/or open your firearm case with your key. The firearm case tag number is then logged into the TSA database so that nobody else with TSA or the airline needs to open your firearm case again. The porter then takes your firearm case to the baggage handlers and you go to your gate.

This happens in the US as well.

An airline baggage handler in Austin, Texas, was caught stealing guns from checked baggage.

Texas airport baggage handler charged with stealing multiple checked firearms

Yet another baggage handler caught stealing from passengers' bags.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Philip Glass]

That’s wrong. At all large USA airports, after firearm cases are tagged by the check-in agent, you follow a porter who takes your firearm case to the TSA scanner room where you wait and watch a TSA Officer scan and/or open your firearm case with your key. The firearm case tag number is then logged into the TSA database so that nobody else with TSA or the airline needs to open your firearm case again. The porter then takes your firearm case to the baggage handlers and you go to your gate.

Hmmm. Ok

 

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass your “logic” is misplaced and would be LOST on TSA - 4 locks on a paper bag would likely meet their Requirements.

 

[MaxXSaker]

Recently I went through an unbelivable, unfavourable experences travelling to Africa, destination Zimbabwe. This was my first trip to Zimbabwe. My gun and Ammunations checked in Johannesburg and Harare with no issue. On my way back first check was Harare, 6 people in a small room checking my gun and ammunation, counting the ammu, looking very carefully with very suspecious look to the ammu and commenting that they are very expenssive ammu and hard to find ( swift). All checking done by seven people. which was not necessary. anyway after they finishe the check I put the TSA lock on it and handed to them. When I arrived in Johanesburg went throught same process as usual. My gun and ammu arrived at police station to pick up and declare for check in to USA. I accounter a very schoking experence of having a very light ammu bax to open for officer for check. there was nothing in the ammu box byt packing buble wrapps. The officer looked at me and said well can happen. He advise do not use TSA locks on any gun case or Ammu case ( especially on Ammu ) case. This experience was imaginable but not expected.
I 100% agree with SA police , DO not use TSA locks . reason is obviou, they check your gun and ammu box in your presence and ask you to open which require your signature at the end.

Sorry to hear about your experience – that's incredibly frustrating. You're absolutely right about the locks. Never use TSA locks for firearms or ammo. Always use a standard lock that only you can open, so it must be unlocked and inspected in your presence. Thanks for sharing this important lesson for others.

 

[MontanaGrant]

Apples and oranges, just posting in case someone else has the need:

But I always fly with a checked handgun. I’ve always used hornady locking case because it was a cable on it. Loop it through my suitcases support crossbars. Always figure it keeps my handgun to the bag, reduces the chance someone will just slipped the locked handgun case out of the bag if they actually had to damage or cut something.

 

[Scott CWO]

Sorry to hear about your experience – that's incredibly frustrating. You're absolutely right about the locks. Never use TSA locks for firearms or ammo. Always use a standard lock that only you can open, so it must be unlocked and inspected in your presence. Thanks for sharing this important lesson for others.

Wrong for ammo if it’s in a locked case inside your suitcase.

 

[Scott CWO]

This happens in the US as well.

An airline baggage handler in Austin, Texas, was caught stealing guns from checked baggage.

Texas airport baggage handler charged with stealing multiple checked firearms

Yet another baggage handler caught stealing from passengers' bags.

www.foxnews.com

Handguns

 

[JimP]

Handguns

I would also wager that he was also taking anything else of value out of the bags.

Back to not using TSA locks on your ammo case, you are risking missing flights, and or other problems if the TSA can not open and inspect it.

But your ammo box is small enough that if someone wants it they will just take the whole box, just like the guy who was stealing the handguns. The handguns were inside of a locked case also.

 

[cwickgo9]

I'll say I'm completely surprised at my ignorance. We flew to SA (2023) via DFW through Atlanta to JOB with rifles and ammo box. I thought you HAD to use TSA locks! I bought like 6 (4 on rifle, 2 on ammo).
So you can use ANY lock you want on your gun / ammo boxes?

 

[dchum]

I'll say I'm completely surprised at my ignorance. We flew to SA (2023) via DFW through Atlanta to JOB with rifles and ammo box. I thought you HAD to use TSA locks! I bought like 6 (4 on rifle, 2 on ammo).
So you can use ANY lock you want on your gun / ammo boxes?

That’s literally the debate. Read the thread and you won’t get a straight answer.

Some say yes, some say no, lots do a combination of both locks

I know what I did and it worked well a few times.