When Traveling With Your Firearm Know the Rules

Local Press Release

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Before heading to the airport passengers are reminded to learn the rules for traveling with a firearm. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers across Alabama have already intercepted 98 firearms at the security checkpoints so far this year.

"Our mission is to ensure you and your loved ones get to your destination safely. Please help us by fully emptying your checked and carry-on luggage before you start to pack," said Tara Corse, the Transportation Security Administration's Federal Security Director for the State of Alabama.

If you are going to travel with your firearm it must be in your checked bag, unloaded and in a locked hard-sided case. You must declare it to the airline at check-in. Travelers are responsible for being aware of what the firearm laws are on each side of their trip or they may be cited or heading to jail instead of to their vacation or business trip. Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.

Pocketknives and oversized liquids, gels and aerosols are the most common items that passengers bring to the security checkpoints but which are not permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.

Most items that are prohibited in your carry-on bag can be placed in a checked bag. But anything that is flammable, corrosive, or explosive cannot travel anywhere on the plane. Hand grenades, even replica ones, cannot travel on the plane in checked or carry-on bags.

"Remember, any liquids you're carrying through TSA checkpoints must be 3.4 ounces or less," said Corse. "Our website www.TSA.Govhas a wonderful travel checklist that can help you prepare, step by step, before your flight. And remember it is best to get to the airport at least two hours before flight time."

Among the recent firearms intercepted by the TSA at security checkpoints in the state included these: on October 7^th at the Huntsville International Airport (HSV) a TSA officer stopped a KELTEC 9mm pistol loaded with one round. The passenger was flying to Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA).

On October 6^th also at HSV a TSA officer identified a loaded handgun inside a woman's backpack. The firearm was a Ruger LCP .380 loaded with six rounds. She was flying to DCA.

At Dothan Regional Airport on October 6^th, a TSA officer intercepted a loaded Sig Sauer P365 firearm with 12 rounds in a carry-on bag. The passenger was flying to Atlanta International Airport.

On September 3rd, at the Birmingham- Shuttlesworth International Airport a male passenger destined for Charlotte International Airport submitted his items for screening. A TSA officer intercepted a Raven Arms MP 24 caliber loaded with 6 rounds.

Last year passengers across the state of Alabama brought 108 firearms to TSA security checkpoints. The number is trending higher this year. The specific year-to-date totals intercepted by the TSA across Alabama are 55 at Birmingham-Shuttleworth International Airport, 24 at Huntsville International Airport, 10 at Mobile Regional Airport, seven at Montgomery Regional Airport, and two at Dothan Regional Airport.

"Thanks to our dedicated and experienced TSA officers who serve the public every day, each of these firearms was intercepted before they could make it into the cabin of an aircraft," Corse added.

Many of the passengers across the country who bring firearms to a federal security checkpoint are arrested or issued notices to appear in court. Regardless of whether the individual is arrested or cited by law enforcement, with whom TSA immediately partners, passengers face a civil penalty imposed by the TSA that can reach nearly $15,000. If the traveler is in the TSA PreCheck program, those privileges will be lost for a period of time, possibly permanently.

The TSA has been screening record-breaking numbers of passengers traveling across the country, so be sure to arrive early and do heed these travel tips for getting through the security checkpoint as efficiently and stress free as possible.

Tip 1: No firearms in carry-ons. Firearms must be in checkedbaggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declaredto the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for additional guidance. And it is your responsibility to know what the firearm laws are on both sides of your trip.

Tip 2: Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own suitcase, backpack, computer bag or purse before leaving home. Unsure if it's allowed: use the "What Can I Bring?"link on TSA.gov.

Tip 3: Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID cardreadily available. If you are traveling with a carry-on bag follow the liquids, gels and aerosols 3-1-1 rule of 3.4 ounces or less for each item and the items should be placed in a one-quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger. To simplify your screening and even before entering the checkpoint it is best to put your phones and any other content of your pockets into your carry-on rather than into a bin in the checkpoint.

Tip 4:Help is available. Get live assistance by tweeting your questions to @AskTSAin English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.

Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck. Travel with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.