Question guys. Can you ship a handgun to yourself from out-of-state?

Female friend is leaving Wed. driving Marine sons truck to him in at Camp Leguene.(spelling)? Anyway, will be flying back to Jackson on Easter Sunday. She will be carrying a 5 shot 38 on the way over there. Should she carry it back on the plane, or is it easier to ship it to herself? No transfer, just askin. Thanks, Bruce.

It's legal to ship to yourself. I'd just leave it here, chances of needing it are slim and chances of hassle are high. Alabama won't allow it unless she has Ccw permit, for instance.

The plane is easy! As long as she has it locked, unloaded with ammo in her luggage bag, and a lock on the hard case, which would then go in her checked luggage bag.

Not familiar with Alabama's gun laws...so oops I guess...never thought much about them or other states laws until recently. She should make sure she is compliant with their laws though

Check it on a plane..Call airline ahead of time for latest details or check their web pages...Its been a while since I checked one...but it should not be that big a deal.

Competition shooters check em all the time...

I imagine they also ship guns to "themselves" at times returning from competitions...

maybe Cargil will chime in here....I'm pretty sure his ships his gear when he goes to places like Vegas

We'll have to disagree on that one Phillip. A lone woman driving that far is liable to need it. Put it in one of those "if it fits it ships". I will agree it's a slim chance but I remember hearing a very high percentage a crimes happen within a mile or so of an interstate. Lone female driving with out of state tags is a moving target. Good info on mailing a firearm to yourself though. First I heard of that. Checking it on a plane is no big deal but taking it on the base is.

Jake is right on the hardsided lockable case but ammo has to be in another hardsided lockable case and both checked in with a tag in the case with the firearm, not sure on the ammo. I haven't flown but once since 9-11.
I don't think they let you have a luggage bag with ammo in it Jake but I could be wrong.

Last I checked...gun and ammo obviously have to be separate...but they will allow like 10 lbs of ammo to be checked in your luggage..I imagine in a locked container...

check with the airlines

You can absolutely put unloaded gun and ammo in same hard sided locked container. Please note that you do not put those silly TSA locks on a gun case. You must have a good secure lock that only you have the key to. Here is a link the the gun rules straight from the TSA. I say check the gun. Very easy and I have done it many times.http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

What's the chance one of the baggage handlers will decide he needs it more than you do?

Checked bags CANNOT be locked.

I have heard stories of baggage handlers stealing stuff from bags.

(Obviously, the little locked container would not prevent theft of the container and contents.)

NRA_guy wrote:What's the chance one of the baggage handlers will decide he needs it more than you do?

Checked bags CANNOT be locked.

I have heard stories of baggage handlers stealing stuff from bags.

(Obviously, the little locked container would not prevent theft of the container and contents.)

Ummm, please don't make statements about what you do not know about. Checked bags can be locked with TSA approved locks. Firearms in checked bags MUST be locked securely. Read the link to the TSA in my above post and I do know what I am talking about as I have flown well over a million miles since 9-11 and never lost a thing.

Ok...as a "former" Moderator....I'm gonna ask that ya'll be cool...

You can indeed lock your bags...just pray the scanners don't go down...cause then tsa has to visually inspect...then....its already been said that it has to be a seperate container from the piece

I still don't see any issues...They do this every day

I travel often with my XDC and never a problem. I call the airline prior to my flight and ask of their gun carry check in polcy to make sure there have been no changes and I also review and follow the TSA rules to the letter. I check two suitcases each with a "Secure It" gun safe, one for the weapon and one for the ammo. I would also check the gun laws of each state that you will be traveling trough.
Gun safe-http://www.cabelas.com/gun-cases-secure-key-operated-handgun-storage-safe-1.shtml
TSA Assistance -http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Interesting post! If I were checking it at the airport I'd get rid of the five 38's before I bought a separate lock and container.

PhillipM wrote:Interesting post! If I were checking it at the airport I'd get rid of the five 38's before I bought a separate lock and container.

I have no idea why so many people say the gun and ammo must be separate. That is completely false. They may be but that is up to you and with baggage fees why? The TSA and the airlines website all clearly state the state the rules.

Direct quote from :
Continental Airlines website
No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container. Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container.

From TSA website
You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.

sidroski wrote:Jake is right on the hardsided lockable case but ammo has to be in another hardsided lockable case and both checked in with a tag in the case with the firearm, not sure on the ammo. I haven't flown but once since 9-11.
I don't think they let you have a luggage bag with ammo in it Jake but I could be wrong.

I flew with my 7mag to Newfoundland back in July of '08(maybe 07 cant recall atm), and the rifle(and my brother's) were in a double sided hard case, unloaded, bolt out(just to simplify things), and locks through them both. The catches on the case were also locked after TSA inspection, after which they thoroughly taped up the case with their firearm tape so everyone knew what was in there, and also so it would be more obvious if it had been tampered with. The ammo was at the bottom of my bag, inside of my Muck boots, with several layers of socks and a couple knives/multi-tools packed on top, when i declared it as well they said that it was fine like that. When I got to Canadian customs, I had to unpack my bag to get to the boots to show the ammo and knives.

Now, I don't know that the ammo has to be separate or not, but that is what was recommended to me, so that is what i did at the time, and i went through with few problems, except some Canadian customs folks who were a bit jealous of the fact that I had more gun rights in their country than they did.

No, the ammo can be carried in the same suitcase. I always travel with two suitcases and have a safe mounted in each suitcase plus the second safe is perfect for 4 or 5 loaded magazines.

chuckusaret wrote:No, the ammo can be carried in the same suitcase. I always travel with two suitcases and have a safe mounted in each suitcase plus the second safe is perfect for 4 or 5 loaded magazines.

Meant to go on to mention that. I couldn't see why it wouldnt be ok, so this doesn't surprise me

Thanks for the input guys. I knew there would be a wealth of information here. Didn't know about not being able to carry thru Alabama in a vehicle without a permit either. I have been in violation of that law since I was 15 years old. Always had a 30-30 on the rack on the way to the Celebration in Shelbyville Tn. Not a problem now, got a permit. Anyway, thanks for all the responses, Bruce.

jakeg823 wrote:
Now, I don't know that the ammo has to be separate or not, but that is what was recommended to me

That is the answer I got from Delta when I called. Made dozen's of trips that way. Ya'll have taught an old dog a new trick. Since most of the schools I go to are in driving distance, I just rent a car now and load it up for bear or gang bangers as they both take the same medicine for them to see the light.