The United States ranks as the third-largest nation globally, encompassing the continuous 48 states stretching across North America from one coast to the other, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as various overseas territories and dependencies. With distances between two points in the U.S. often exceeding 1,000 miles, air travel is the quickest and most practical mode of transportation.
Whether you travel by air for work or leisure, you may have considered flying with your firearms. Many gun owners travel to firearm-related events nationwide, such as shooting competitions, unique hunting opportunities, or industry events. While your Second Amendment rights apply as long as you remain within the United States, you must comply with numerous laws and rules at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
Here’s everything you need to know about air travel with firearms in the United States and how to get yourself and your guns to your destination safely and legally.
Rules Regarding Firearms and Ammunition on U.S. Airline Flights
Is flying with firearms allowed? The short answer is yes, under specific conditions. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulates the transportation of weapons, ammunition, and related gun parts on all airplanes in the United States. If you want to transport your guns to your destination by plane, you must follow these rules and guidelines:
- No guns in carry-on luggage. Firearms are not allowed inside the cabin of any airplane. Only a small category of individuals, such as Federal Air Marshals, are permitted to be armed on board. All others may only transport firearms inside checked baggage. Bring appropriate bags or transport cases and save enough space inside these to transport your guns.
- Secure your firearms. According to TSA procedures, all guns inside checked baggage must be secured. Verify that your firearms and magazines are unloaded, then place them inside a lockable hard-sided container.
- Keep your ammo separate. Ammunition cannot be transported loaded in a firearm. While you may transport ammunition in separate magazines, clips, or loaders, TSA rules state they must be separated from their firearms. Loose rounds are also not allowed inside checked baggage. The safest way to transport ammunition is to use an appropriate box or container, such as the original factory packaging or a dedicated ammunition case.
- Comply with ammo limits. While the TSA does not specify a maximum quantity of allowed ammunition, federal and international laws do. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), international regulations impose a maximum limit of 5 kilograms of ammunition per person. Allowed ammunition includes all pistol and rifle cartridges up to 19.1mm (.75) in caliber and all shotgun shells.
- Some parts are less restricted than others. According to the TSA, certain types of gun accessories are not considered firearms and ammunition. You can generally transport these items in your carry-on luggage as long as they are separated from your firearms. Examples of items that may be allowed in carry-ons include rifle scopes, gun holsters, tactical flashlights, and laser sights.
- Use the right type of lock. While TSA rules state you can secure the container with any padlock, consider using TSA locks for peace of mind. A TSA lock allows TSA personnel to open and inspect your container whenever needed without damaging or breaking any of its components.
Flying with Firearms on International Flights
Under U.S. and international laws, transporting firearms, ammunition, and parts out of American territory and into another country constitutes an act of exporting arms. Numerous national and international laws govern the rules regarding firearms exports, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
If you have a legitimate reason to travel internationally with your firearms, you must comply with all applicable laws, including firearm laws in the destination country.
Export controls affect different categories of items. Some may require additional licensing, such as items designated in the U.S. Munitions List (USML). Contact your hunting, sport shooting, or competition shooting organization for more information regarding international travel with your personally owned guns.
Review the Laws at Your Destination
Ensure firearms, magazines, and ammunition are legal for you to possess at your destination’s local and state levels. Check all local laws at your destination before clearing the checkpoints and taking your flight. Passing TSA checkpoints and boarding a plane does not guarantee that your guns will be legal on arrival. If your guns don’t comply with local laws, you risk being fined, arrested, and subjected to legal action.
Below is a partial list of laws and regulations to consider at the state and local levels:
- Restricted weapon laws. Firearms commonly owned or available in your home state may be restricted or even banned in the destination state. One of the most common examples is the AR-15 and models resembling it. State-level assault weapons bans frequently target these guns by name, feature, or description.
For example, if you’re flying from Michigan to California, check the specific configuration and list of parts your AR-15 is built with. It may run afoul of California’s assault weapons legislation, which restricts the possession of centerfire semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and one or more restricted features. These features include pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding or retractable stocks, flash suppressors, forward grips, and underslung launchers. - Concealed carry reciprocity. If you are legally licensed to carry a concealed firearm in your home state, check your destination state’s reciprocity laws. States that recognize your concealed carry permit may allow you to own and conceal-carry corresponding firearms in the destination state.
While specific states have permitless carry laws on the books, some have a residency requirement, meaning that non-residents must still bring a valid license.
For example, as of March 2024, the Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is fully recognized by 18 other states. Always ensure your license is current and valid before booking a flight. - Magazine capacity restrictions. Many states, counties, cities, and other jurisdictions impose restrictions regarding the size of a firearm’s magazine. These laws prevent civilians from possessing a magazine capable of holding more rounds of ammunition than the legal limit.
For example, Colorado prohibits the possession of a “large-capacity magazine” (LCM). State laws define them as any fixed or detachable magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds unless chambered in .22 rimfire or meant for a lever-action gun.
If you plan to travel from Michigan, where these magazines are legal, to Colorado, you can leave them in your checked baggage or modify them to hold 15 rounds or fewer. - Gun-free zone laws. In addition to places where guns are prohibited in all 50 states, such as government buildings, each state imposes different zoning restrictions, including zones where firearms are prohibited.
Check whether your destination state has laws and regulations restricting firearms in specific locations. Common areas to look for include schools, university campuses and their surroundings, places of worship, bars and restaurants, and private property with state-approved signage.
For example, in Texas, private properties can install signage to restrict people from bringing firearms on the premises. A 30.05 sign prohibits all unlicensed carrying of firearms, whereas 30.06 and 30.07 signs disallow the licensed carrying of concealed and openly carried guns, respectively.
How to Check Your Guns and Ammo at the Airport
After reviewing the TSA’s rules and guidelines and ensuring your guns comply with all local and state laws in your destination, follow this checklist to check your firearms through the airport safely and legally.
- Check your airline’s policies. While no major U.S. airline prohibits the transportation of firearms on their flights, each can impose its own requirements. Check your airline for firearm-specific rules and prepare your baggage for compliance.
- Prepare documentation. When flying with firearms, you must be prepared to show multiple documents to your airline’s personnel. Bring a valid ID and your concealed carry permit if you have one.
- Fill out a weapons declaration form. Speak to your airline’s check-in agent and inform them you intend to travel with a firearm. You should be asked to fill out a form and pay processing fees. Fill in your contact information, flight details, a formal agreement to follow the rules, and your signature. The agent will give you copies of the form to keep and insert into the luggage containing your firearms.
- Take your weapons bag to the TSA checkpoint. You may be required to take the bags containing your firearms through the Oversized Baggage drop area. TSA agents will scan your cases and may ask you to open them for a visual inspection. Under normal circumstances, they should not need to open your gun cases or physically handle your guns.
- Leave your guns. After passing the checkpoint, TSA agents will take your weapons bag and check it in. When you board the plane, your weapons will be in the plane’s cargo hold alongside other travelers’ luggage.
- Collect your guns after the flight. Once your plane lands, your weapons bag will most likely be in the Oversized Baggage area or a Special Handling zone, depending on the airport. Be prepared for the possibility that it does not come out with regular luggage. If you can’t locate your luggage, ask an airline representative for assistance or specific pickup points.
Get Firearms, CPL Training, and Education with IFA Tactical
Our mission at IFA Tactical is to ensure all Michiganders understand their rights and responsibilities as gun owners, from the basic rules of gun safety to safely flying with firearms.
Our gun store in Sterling Heights, MI, carries a wide selection of guns, ammunition, magazines, and accessories suitable for hunting, self-defense, competition shooting, collecting, or plinking.
We also regularly publish useful information and education for gun owners, from tips on choosing a good gun safe to the best home defense handguns on the market. Contact us if you have any questions or requests.
