# So how do I go about taking my guns, knives, sporks on the plane? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2002, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926 "2002-12-15T20:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/1 "2002-12-15T20:10:36Z")
Is it at all possible to legally transport guns, knives, etc over air? Do I have to call ahead and get special permission? If I want to give Grandpa Joe that shiny revolver for Christmas, do I have to buy it in New York if I live in California? Is their some special UPS service just for transporting guns and such that I would have to use? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/2 "2002-12-15T20:22:21Z")
Last I heard, it was still legal to transport guns and knives on US airplanes _ **in checked baggage** _. Not carry-ons! Any such weaponry would have to be secured and rendered safe - i.e. guns unloaded and in a locked case. Also, the airline wants to know about it in advance, so when your luggage goes through the x-ray machines no one freaks out. But the safest thing to do is to check in advance with your chosen airline and ask them what their policies and procedures are. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/3 "2002-12-15T20:27:00Z")
Guns and knives are generally OK in checked baggage. Guns must be declared when checking in. From the FAA’s [FAQ](http://cas.faa.gov/faq.html) > [@](#): > > Firearms and Ammunition may not be carried by a passenger on an aircraft. However, unloaded firearms may be transported in checked baggage if declared to the agent at check in and packed in a suitable container. Handguns must be in a locked container. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal use may be transported in checked luggage. Amounts may vary depending on the airline. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/4 "2002-12-15T20:31:26Z")
**Broomstick** covered it as far as the airlines go, but there are other things to consider. Unless you are a citizen of New York, it is probably illegal for you to buy a gun there. New York City has very stringent gun laws (the Sullivan Law?), so your grandfather might not be allowed to own a handgun. (I don’t know how stringent the laws are in the rest of the state.) In California, individuals may not transfer a gun to another individual unless the transaction is handled through a gun dealer, the DROS fee is paid, there is a background check on the buyer, and the gun is held for 10 days. While California laws probably don’t apply to your grandfather, New York may have similar laws. Also, your grandfather cannot come here to buy a gun. You _can_ ship guns, but I don’t think you can do it through the post office. UPS (“poo is brown”) may or may not have a policy re: sending guns. They might refuse if it’s against their policy. Same for FedEx _et al_. Guns that are shipped may only be sent to a gun dealer in the recipients location, where the recipient must pick it up and obey all laws regarding transfer. (There might be an exception for long guns under the 1986 GCA Reform Act.) Be sure to find out about all applicable laws before you do anything. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/5 "2002-12-15T20:47:13Z")
The Transportation Security Administration has a [list](http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=12&content=15) of items that may be carried on or taken in checked baggage. You have to click the linked Word or PDF document to see the chart. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/6 "2002-12-15T20:51:31Z")
According to [FedEX](http://www.fedex.com/us/services/termsandconditions/restrictions.html?link=4) > [@](#): > > Firearms. FedEx will only accept shipments of firearms when either the shipper or recipient is a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed collector and is not prohibited from making such shipments by federal, state or local regulations when these conditions are met. FedEx will accept and deliver firearms between all areas served in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. > > Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight and may not be sent C.O.D. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the shipper is required to inform FedEx that the package contains a firearm. Firearms may not be shipped in one complete piece. When tendered for shipment, the firearm must be rendered inoperable, either by removing the firing pin in the gun and disconnecting the barrel, or by some other means so the package does not contain a completely assembled, usable weapon. The outside of the package should bear no label, marking, or other written notice that a firearm is contained within. This includes the abbreviation of the name of the shipper or recipient if the name would clearly indicate that the package could contain a firearm. Firearms and ammunition may not be shipped in the same package. Ammunition is always an explosive and must be shipped as Dangerous Goods. Signature release is not available for shipments containing firearms. > > The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws including those pertaining to labeling. The local division office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) can provide assistance with the packaging and shipment of firearms. So guns are right out unless you have some sort of dealer/collector licence. The [ATF](http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm) says > [@](#): > > A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by carrier to a resident of his or her own state or to a licensee in any state. A common or contract carrier must be > used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract > carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm. [18 U. S. C. 922( a)( 2)( A) and 922( e), 27 CFR 178.31] ---
**Author:** ![BF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/7 "2002-12-15T21:05:46Z")
From what I’ve heard around the ol’ range water cooler, UPS has gotten a very bad reputation for losing guns, ie., stolen in route. And they’ve really raised their rates to make it more expensive, so FedEx seems to be the more reasonably priced alternative. I’ve had no problems flying with my shotguns to hunt pheasant in Iowa. Flying Delta, I just went to the baggage check-in, they were verified unloaded, a verification slip was place in the case, then closed and I provided my own locks. The airline does recommend you do not use a labelled case, so leave your nice Beretta, Browning labelled case at home, and use a generic looking gun case. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/8 "2002-12-15T22:35:56Z")
No, you’re supposed to put it in a _violin_ case! ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/9 "2002-12-15T22:45:54Z")
quote:Muad’Dib “So how do I go about taking my guns, knives, sporks on the plane?” The knives and guns you can put in checked baggage with proper notification, but them “sporks” you’ve go to leave at home. ---
**Author:** ![NotBob13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e19b73/32.png) [@NotBob13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotBob13)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2002, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/10 "2002-12-15T23:57:52Z")
No sporks?! How will I eat my ever-present Spam? \>:) ---
**Author:** ![BF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/11 "2002-12-16T00:57:27Z")
Spam, spam, spam, spam, beans, and spam, should only be eaten with a fork… silly, maroon… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/12 "2002-12-16T02:17:19Z")
That’s OK - the airline will supply you with your weapons during mealtime. I recently flew United First Class and was handed two full size metal forks, a nice stiff metal spoon and a very substanial, nice and sharp _PLASTIC_ knife … I still wonder who we think we’re fooling with all this new so-called “security” ?? ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-go-about-taking-my-guns-knives-sporks-on-the-plane/142926/13 "2002-12-16T02:18:28Z")
Oh yeah - but they do block the aisle to the cockpit door with a _DRINK CART_ when they have to open the cockpit door so the pilot can take a leak or get a cup of coffee. Highly effective, I’m sure.