I get phone calls and E mails about Tuffpak Key Lock or the TSA combo lock we also offer.
Below is what it says taken from the TSA webpage. Note what is says about who may open the case. One fellow was upset because he missed two flights due to having to get off the plane and return to TSA so they could get into his case. He later owned up that US Customs had inspected his case and told him he was good to go and put it on the conveyor but that TSA did not tell him that so when it was X rayed they wanted to see in the case but there was no TSA lock on his Tuffpak. After our conversation he now understands it was his error as he never did show and tell to TSA and took the word of US Customs instead.
It is my concern that someday the US Govt. is going to enforce the portion where it is you and only you that can unlock the case. When that time comes the TSA locks will be useless on any make of case.
Below is right off the TSA Wed Site.

The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are:
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.
Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion.
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container.
You should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation.
If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you.
If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
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.
You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.
Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.

Harry,

This is a never ending non-issue, as you know. You CANNOT carry firearms in a case secured with TSA locks, period. Never have been. Some folks can't read or don't comprehend if they do. The Tuffpak with the TSA locks are intended to ship cargo other than firearms. Now we will hear from those who have done.

quote:

The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

Exactly. How can the "Secure area" of an airport be secure if any gorilla with a TSA key can open a guncase?

Not very secure.

quote:

The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

Like this.



Leave in the morning Zim and Moz

LionHunter is right on. Your TuffPak carrying firearms should only have the NON TSA LOCKS in order to be in compliance with the federal regulations and not in violation of federal law.

Mike, are you going thru Atlanta or Dullas?

Atlanta

I keep an extra set of locks in my case with a note saying to please replace the locks if you have to (cough - break your own rule and - cough) cut them.

Now there's an idea. I'll keep that in mind, even though they're not supposed to cut locks. The last time I came back, the lock had been cut . . .