Basic rules:
There are 2 sets of rules you need to know and follow.
#1 -
TSA:Transporting Firearms and Ammunitionhttps://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition#2 - Your airline's rules, normally posted on their website. For example,
United Airlines: Sports equipment --> Firearms toggle ...https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage/sports-equipment.htmlIt's a good idea to at least have these bookmarked on your phone. A print-out of the pages might also be prudent in the event a worker doesn't know their airline's rules.
The requirements for pistols are to lock them in a TSA-approved case with locks only you have the combo and/or keys for. Do not use TSA-accessible locks, no matter what you may see online. TSA used to try to force that on travelers, but they've changed that to allow only the gun owner to be able to open the locks.
If you are buying locks for a gun case, make sure they don't have very long hasps/shackles. If it's too long, the case can be opened perhaps wide enough to squeeze the gun through the opening. If you happen to have locks already that are too long, you can run the shackles through a couple of steel nuts to take up the slack.
Unless you have a larger than normal gun case, place it inside a piece of checked luggage. Do not lock that piece of luggage. The airlines and TSA must be able to open it for inspection. Weight limits and add-on charges will apply, so be sure that suitcase isn't over-size or over-weight to make things go more smoothly.
Unload and clear the gun prior to packing. Empty mags can be included in the gun case, but no ammo. Any ammo must be in either the packaging it came from the factory in (with the inserts that separate each round individually), or another box you have that has those dividers to prevent the ammo from being loose and bumping into one another. The box can be plastic, cardboard, etc. Makes no difference as long as there are dividers to hold each round.
Do not put any of your ammo in the gun case. Gun in a locked case -- ammo in divided cases -- both in check bag/s.
There are limits for how much ammo is allowed per person, normally 11 lbs. If you're not taking ammo, then no sense in going into it further unless you have questions.
Depending on your flight destination and layovers, make sure (1) your gun is legal in each state where you'll be traveling through, and (2) that you can legally transport a gun in each of those states should you be delayed. There have been horror stories of people traveling through NY and NJ with their legal firearms. The problems usually occur when the flights are cancelled, you miss a connection, bad weather -- something causes you to spend the night where you thought it was a short layover and connection.
As long as the airline has the gun, you're fine. If you claim your luggage and take a gun to a hotel, that might be another matter. People have been arrested at the airport for possessing a firearm they brought into the state the day before, even though they intended to only be traveling through with it. Moral of the story is to not have guns that are prohibited by a state's laws, and don't schedule a flight through those states if at all possible. Some here have suggested if you find yourself spending a night in these states unexpectedly, do not claim that bag that has the gun. Leave it in the possession of the airline overnight after coordinating with them so you never take possession of it there. Haven't dealt with this, but it's a viable option. Shouldn't be an issue, but best to be aware and ready to handle it if it ever happens to you.
Make sure to have your name and phone number on the inside of the luggage and gun case as well as baggage tags outside the luggage. Do not put anything drawing attention to the gun on the outside of the bag. I personally stopped putting my address on my luggage over privacy concerns. A cell phone number is all anyone needs to return a lost bag to you.
You can put holsters, mags, accessories and parts in your checked bag, but don't try to take anything gun-related in your carry-on. Even if it's something innocuous like a red dot sight or set of grips, the airlines are afraid that a team of passengers might try to get all the parts for a gun through security, then assemble it once airborne. So, nothing gun-related in carry-ons, especially ammo.
The process for checking in with a gun is simple with most airlines.
1) You'll need to go to an agent at the check-in counter and say, "I'd like to declare a firearm." The airline rep will have you fill out a declaration form, basically letting them know you unloaded the gun, there's no ammo in the case, it's locked inside an approved container, etc. There's an inconsistency on where that card gets placed. I think it belongs in the luggage, but some reps have you put it inside the gun case. Whether or not it makes sense, just follow their directions. Nobody will go to jail if the form is not in the right place.
2) United had me stand by the counter for 15 minutes to see if anyone calls from baggage. If not, they verify it was processed and let me go to the security checkpoint. If anyone has questions, it's easier to find you at check-in. Make sure you allotted extra time for all of this.
3) If TSA asks you to open the case, do it. If they reach for the firearm, I would ask what they are doing. If they want to check to see if it's loaded they ought to ask you to show them it's clear. Nobody has any business handling your gun but you.
4) Don't lose your baggage claim check. Nowadays, that's normally on your phone. If not, you can take a pic of it before it leaves on the conveyor at check-in. You can also take a pic of the claim tags usually stapled or inserted in your ticket holder. So much of travel documents have changed with kiosk check-ins, printing boarding passes at home and so forth, how you claim your bags can vary. If anything happens that your bag is lost or delayed, you'll need that baggage check-in information.
5) Keep your bag with the gun next to you at all times in the airport until it's given to the airline. It's one thing to report a bag being stolen in the restroom or while you napped before boarding. It's another to report a stolen firearm -- in an airport of all places.
6) When claiming your baggage, make sure the gun case is still inside the bag and the locks are still in place. Don't open the gun case in baggage claim. Wait until you are away from the airport if you feel like verifying it hasn't somehow escaped.
Seems like a lot to worry about, but each step is simple. Much of these points are more tips and recommendations than requirements anyway.
HPD:
Here's a thread on how you can notify HPD you moved the guns out of state permanently. Don't procrastinate. They can fine you $100 if you don't meet the 5-day requirement.
If you have your registration form, you can email an image of it to HPD.
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=45224.0