I just read in The NRAs "American Hunter" magazine that TSA has decided that rifle scopes are no longer a gun part and will be allowed in carry on.

Has anyone else heard anything about this?

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first I've heard of it. And just because they may allow us to do that here, don't try leaving Zim with a scope in your carry on. It's ugly.

Another problem is that there are probably plenty of TSA agents who don't know this.

Read below and just taken off TSA web site.
Travelers may only transport UNLOADED firearms in a locked, hard-sided container in or as checked baggage. All firearms, ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames and receivers, are prohibited in carry-on baggage.

Realistic replicas of firearms are also prohibited in carry-on bags and must be packed in checked baggage. Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked bags.

Not just leaving Zim. I've witnessed some nasty confrontations at JNB with scopes in carry-ons being refused passage through the security check-points. Some really pissed hunters doing the 500 meter dash back to the firearms check-in room while praying that their rifle cases had not yet been removed to the aircraft!!!

Honestly, I don't understand why this comes up so frequently? Just leave the scope on the rifle (and be sure to remove the bolt for travel, pack it in the gun case as well).

I don't understand why anyone would ever want to take a scope on as carry on?

After all, they won't need it on the flight, it's just more needless weight and space in the carry on bag and they have a padded locked case in the hold they can put it in anyway.

Yes, TSA rules, and the enforcement of those rules, can be two very different things.

I guess ignorance is bliss. I've traveled out of JFK twice to Lusaka and once to JNB with a backup scope in my carryon. No one ever has said a thing about it.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
I don't understand why anyone would ever want to take a scope on as carry on?

After all, they won't need it on the flight, it's just more needless weight and space in the carry on bag and they have a padded locked case in the hold they can put it in anyway.

I see some reason to wish taking a telescope in carry-on luggage! With all the horror stories of firearms lost by air carriers, I'd like to have a QD telescope in my carry-on luggage. Then I'm at least sure that my expensive telescope will not get lost.

Andrew

But it's no bloody use to you without the rifle is it?

Airlines mislay firearms just like they mislay other baggage but the number that are completely lost is tiny compared to ordinary baggage.

I really don't understand why anyone would take a scope in hand baggage when they know it's bound to cause hassle whatever the regulations say.

Steve: You're TOO funny. . . . . .and RIGHT at the same time!!

Just saw a special report last night about lost luggage, and they claimed approximately 0.3% of all luggage handled gets misplaced or lost. Low numbers, but I do everything within my control to make sure mine isn't one of them!

There are a couple of things you can do to make baggage loss less likely.

One is to stick a piece of white plastic onto your rifle case and write your name and flight details on it with a permanent marker (wipes off afterwards with a bit of petrol/gasoline)

And another is to put one of those new e tracker things in the case. I can't remember the name of them but they were mentioned here or in the travel forum a few months ago.

From the TSA website....Bold is my doing

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-in...earms-and-ammunition

Firearms and Ammunition
Traveling with Special ItemsShare on emailShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on linkedinShare on diggShare on deliciousShare on redditShare on stumbleuponShare on google_plusone_shareTravelers may only transport UNLOADED firearms in a locked, hard-sided container in or as checked baggage. All firearms, ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames and receivers, are prohibited in carry-on baggage.

Realistic replicas of firearms are also prohibited in carry-on bags and must be packed in checked baggage. Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked bags.

In addition to TSA security rules on transporting firearms, airlines, as well as state, local and international governments have additional rules that may vary by location. Please check with your airline and with states and cities you will be traveling into and out of to become familiar with their requirements and ensure you are compliant with their laws.

Law Enforcement Officers: There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Please read our policies for law enforcement officers traveling with firearms.

To avoid issues that could impact your travel and/or result in law enforcement action, here are some guidelines to assist you in packing your firearms and ammunition:

All firearms must be declared to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The term firearm includes:
Any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
The frame or receiver of any such weapon.
Any firearm muffler or firearm silencer.
Any destructive device.
*Please see, for instance, United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44 for information about firearm definitions.

The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container that is locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft.
 If firearms are not properly declared or packaged, TSA will provide the checked bag to law enforcement for resolution with the airline. If the issue is resolved, law enforcement will release the bag to TSA so screening may be completed.
TSA must resolve all alarms in checked baggage. If a locked container containing a firearm alarms, TSA will contact the airline, who will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner and advise the passenger to go to the screening location. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
If a locked container alarms during screening and is not marked as containing a declared firearm, TSA will cut the lock in order to resolve the alarm.
Travelers 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.
Travelers must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines and ammunition clips must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm.
Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above.
TSA prohibits black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder.
Rifle scopes are not prohibited in carry-on bags and do not need to be in the hard-sided, locked checked bag
Guns and Firearms
Item Carry-on Checked
Small arms ammunition, including ammunition up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge- Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be securely packaged in fiber, wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. No Yes
BB guns No Yes
Compressed Air Guns, including rifles and pistols (to include paintball markers) - Carried in checked luggage without compressed air cylinder attached. No Yes
Firearms - firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. No Yes
Flare Guns - May be carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read our section on Camping. No Yes
Flares No No
Gun Lighters* No Yes
Gun Powder including black powder and percussion caps No No
Parts of Guns and Firearms No Yes
Pellet Guns No Yes
Realistic Replicas of Firearms No Yes
Starter Pistols - can only be carried as checked baggage and MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. No Yes

NOTE: Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.

*Permitted in checked baggage only if it does not contain lighter fluid.

TSA regs mean nothing in any country but the USA.

My scopes are always checked through with the rifles in a Tuff Pak. Don't see the need to ever carry it in a carry on bag.

Another question? TSA says OK for ammo to go in said Tuff Pak with rifle as checked baggage. If the Tuff Pak is checked straight through to Mozambique, though Jo Berg but no overnight, strictly a transfer, will JB authorities make you take it out and send seperatly? Haven't seen this scenerio discussed here, so pardon if it has. I know they will usually make you ship seperatly if you recheck luggage after an overnight. I would really like the ammo to stay with rifle if possible of course.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Carry on issues with scopes is not that new. Many moons ago, 34 years to be exact, my friend had his rifle scope in his carry on bag as we left to go hunt buffalo in Oz and was picked up in the visual search of carry on luggage. It was given to the pilot in the cockpit and returned once we landed. He took the scope off his rifle as we only had soft rifle bags back then, I didn't have the 404 scoped. Baggage was treated with respect by handlers in those days although in hindsight it was still a risk especially when the soft bags were only zippered and not locked.

Years ago, I've heard you gave your rifle to the crew to stow in the cockpit. That was before my time.

Shakari has a very practical African attitude. What good is the bloody scope if you don't have the rifle -- why not stow them together. Makes sense to me, but some -- Americans in particular -- think about the cost of the item and want to keep it with them.

I put binoculars and cameras in carryon for that reason. But scopes, they go with the rifles (and I always carry at least one spare).

I have on several occasions carried 2 rifles and 1 shotgun {sand grouse} in a locked heavy- duty aluminum container to Namibia with no problem. But that was a few years ago. What is the limit on the number of guns one can take now? I have been told it may have changed to 2. Anybody have a firm answer? I will be going via Calgary to Heathrow- joberg- Windhoek. I agree that one must consider not just the rules but those who interpret them .

Firearm limits in checked baggage are established
by the airlines. Some countries have limits on what can be imported.

I find myself in complete agreement with Shakari--what use is a scope with-out a rifle? If something goes missing at least its all together to be recovered.