Traveling with Firearms

Traveling with Firearms

Follow these tips for a safe and uneventful trip Today’s hunters, skeet, trap and sporting clays shooters pull out all the stops in pursuit of their passions. Turkey enthusiasts crisscross the country each spring in their individual quests for a “grand slam” – the successful harvest of each of the four North-American subspecies. Similarly, ardent deer hunters chase monster bucks from the furthest reaches of Canada to South Texas. Waterfowl addicts often follow the migration for thousands of miles. Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays shooters travel coast to coast for that next chance of glory. Such travel can lead to the hunt of a lifetime, but isn’t without challenges. Problems can arise from the complex logistics of packing and transporting a sportsman’s necessary equipment. Guns and ammunition cause the greatest concerns. While traveling anglers may be content to use rods and reels provided by their guides, an experienced sportsman simply won’t leave home without his or her trusted, personal firearms. But traveling with a gun is no picnic. Complex airline and highway rules coupled with the constant threat of damage can wreak havoc on the traveling sportsman otherwise well-laid plans.

Guns On the Road

When traveling the country in a motor vehicle, pack your unloaded guns away in a premium locked hard case. Secure them in a relatively inaccessible location, meaning not in a wide-open space. Keeping your firearms hidden will not cause unnecessary attention while traveling on the road. Regulations for transporting firearms in a vehicle vary from state to state. Some are quite lenient, while others are much stricter. Within many states, firearm travel laws also vary considerably from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Of course, it’s always advisable to research the specific laws where you plan to travel, but the multitude of diverse and changing regulations can make a complete and total understanding of all laws you may encounter a fleeting prospect. If possible, keep your gun cases locked in your vehicle’s trunk or truck bed, as long as your bed has weather-tight and lockable security. If your guns are outside the passenger compartment, in a case, unloaded, and kept separate from ammunition, you’ll be in compliance with all but the strictest of local and state firearm travel laws. If your truck bed is not secure, or you drive an SUV or another vehicle without a separate trunk, you’ll need to do your best to keep the guns as “inaccessible” as possible. In addition, the different law enforcement officials within the same jurisdiction may be on a different page when it comes to interpreting and enforcing firearms travel laws. Unfortunately, not every police officer you may run into is a sportsman like you. With the tremendous pressure being placed on law enforcement officers today, they are understandably careful and are always likely to err on the side of caution. If pulled over with firearms, don’t do or say anything to give them a reason to doubt your intentions.

For highway shotgun and rifle transportation, Negrini has a variety of models that will fit your needs. Pistols go in Negrini model 2018 Compact Pistol Case. Inside these durable, luxury hard cases, each gun is fully encased in patented double-wall ABS with thermoformed dedicated walls or pluck-n-pull die-cut foam. These cases are ultra-light and ultra-strong with integrated combination locks. After guns are packed away, it’s essential to pack and transport any ammunition with similar care, and away from the guns. Most state laws require this, and it is essential to avoid any misperceptions of improper intent, should you be pulled over. Negrini has a variety of secure cartridge cases available like the new 21150/4867-TRAC. These cases are small, compact, allowing ammunition to be transported in bulk, while in full compliance with the widest range of state and local laws.

Air Travel

As tricky as hitting the highway with firearms can be, air travel presents hunters and shooters with even more challenges. Guns must be unloaded, declared, and inspected. They must be locked in an airline-approved case, and, in some cases, be partially broken down. Similarly, ammunition must also be declared. But the cumbersome inspection process is only part of the concern. Now is a good time to get familiar with the TSA regulations for traveling with firearms. Of course, all firearms must travel as checked baggage, so once they are inspected and turned over, it’s anyone’s guess what torture a gun case – and the precious cargo inside – might go through in the hands of task-oriented baggage personnel. When checking in at the airport, travelers need to declare that they are traveling with a gun. At that point, airline personnel will quickly advise the traveler of the need to open his or her case and inspect the firearm. Always wait for the TSA inspector before unlocking or opening the case, and only do so when clearly directed to do so by TSA personnel. Never take a firearm out of its case in an airport under any other circumstances. Typically, you and your firearm will be taken to a special inspection room.

You have the right to remain with your firearm at all times during the inspection process. Never leave your firearm until the inspection is complete, the case has been re-locked, and you are in possession of the key or combination. There are additional steps during international travel. Specifically, guns must clear customs in the destination country, and once again when entering back into the United States. Multiple government forms may need to be completed and carried with the firearm like U.S. customs form 4457. Be sure to check into all required paperwork well before traveling. Although most forms are available at the airport, unnecessary delays can often be minimized or eliminated by first downloading and completing forms prior to travel. Negrini’s thermoformed ABS cases meet rigorous specifications set up by the ATA for dust, vibration, and transit drop, making them great choices for airline travel. Each ABS shotgun, rifle, and handgun case is waterproof resistant and dust-proof and secured with integrated hardened steel combination locks. Heavy-duty integrated handles are designed for extra strength and streamline of the case. Dedicated interior compartments are fully padded and upholstered with the best materials to protect your firearm. Leather tie-down straps to secure the stock and receiver. The foam supplied in a Negrini case is there to protect your firearm for airline travel.

The thought of traveling with a firearm intimidates many sportsmen, keeping them tirelessly beating their home turf. But there’s nothing to be afraid of, given the travel tips of many experts. What’s more, recent low fuel and airline costs make far-away hunting locales more accessible than ever. So start making your travel plans for the coming hunting seasons. Pack your guns right and expand your reach. It’s easier than you think.