In my prior trips I had non-tsa locks on the gun case and never had an issue. Last week when transferring through Dallas on way to Africa, gun case showed up with my locks cut off. I was making transfer from American Airlines to Qatar Air and had to collect bags and re-check. On previous trips had never had this happen but now had an issue because the Dallas TSA person would not accept my bags for rechecking on Qatar. On this trip I had not brought along a spare set of locks -- never had needed before. I was in big trouble at this point as the TSA agent was not about to accept my gun case. Fortunately, another more understanding agent showed up and sourced a set of beat up TSA locks out of a drawer and proceeded to jamb them on the gun case and send it on its way. Close call --- bring extra locks -- in the gun case.

Padlock or combination lock on your gun case. If the case has multiple places for locks you'll need one for each place.

TSA locks on your luggage and ammo case.

Mark

Mark is stating the correct law.

That being said, I had a rather unpleasant experience at DFW with the TSA agent about that. It was her opinion that a TSA lock was required, and that the master keys existence was the TSA only having the combination so the law.

I don’t know what more to say.

The guys at MSP are good about it.

Chicago wasn’t a problem.

Newark was good.

Atlanta fine…

But DFW, which is supposedly conservative is the only place I’ve had a lock cut off.

Nitwits.

But the worst place you can be, and it is sadly a common one, is having to tell a law enforcement agent that he is wrong on the law.

Mark has it right. Non-TSA lock on a gun case, TSA lock on other luggage.

I put an extra- keyed alike non-TSA lock in the gun case, just in case they cut the original lock and I need to relock it.

Mike,

You hit the nail on the head. Presenting a different idea to law enforcement that does not fit their scenario right or wrong is fruitless. They already have made up their minds that you are wrong or lying. Just do what they say is right as it will be the least hassle overall.

Mark

No. Only person allowed access to guns is you by fed law. Double lock them though.

Dumbasses everywhere.

Lady at Qatar weighed my "arrows" to ensure they were under 5 kgs.

Regardless, I have always put two new locks and a note inside all of my gun/bow cases (foam cut outs), since my first travel abroad.

I have had problems in the past.. Use TSA gun locks to be sure.

Mark,

Until recent years, I used to just put my ammo case in my duffle, but last several years, KLM requires ammo case to ship separately. Based on your earlier post, you said TSA locks on ammo case? I'd much prefer a secure lock if that is possible. Welcome thoughts.

TSA locks on my other luggage is fine. Optics and cameras are in the carryon and if anyone wants my old hunting clothes and spare boots they are harder up than I am.

TSA has changed their criteria for gun cases.

TSA would like travelers to have TSA locks on gun cases.

Issue as stated above and that is that Federal Law requires the traveler to have the only key to the gun case.

I see this as an issue while traveling and a person with a gun case would need to have additional locks to replace the locks cut off to keep the gun case traveling.

TSA Regs seem a little conflicted with my long standing belief. Cannot find a regulation that states non TSA but this is from the TSA website.

Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

quote:

Originally posted by TNJohn:
Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

I was wondering about this, also. The above quote comes from this page:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tra...earms-and-ammunition

Having said that, I was surprised that Amazon offers a number of choices for "TSA locks for gun cases".

My guns never left the airport on a trip to ZIM TSA wanted to open my rifle case would not cut locks off and ship unlocked. Write on your guncase extra locks inside and your contact info if you use non TSA locks
I currently use heavy duty TSA locks on my guncase and ammo box
The rules are very confusing the TSA agent at Newark Airport advised using TSA locks.

Good advice I read on here many years ago. Find and print the airlines baggage policy and TSA policy and have it on your person to present the second it is questioned.

There is a gap between me traveling with firearms and last year again but I've never used a TSA lock on my gun case. Never had a problem.
I had an SKB case for several trips and then switched to a Tuffpak. With the Tuffpak a TSA lock isn't an option. As far as ammo, I have always put in other checked bag with a TSA lock on it. I don't believe I've ever been asked for my key once I checked firearm. I'm going over before long, different route than past and will see how it goes. To me, the bottom line is, there's the rules (which I carry a copy of) but airport A knows them but airport B doesn't and disputing with them is zero sum. I won't travel with TSA lock on gun case, heard too many stories. Just saying.....

You can buy TSA master keys on Amazon, what a joke.

(above) Another reason to not put a TSA lock on your gun case.

Lavaca,

The TSA locks on the ammo box protects you at least in the States from having the locks cut off and your ammo traveling unlocked.

Mark

Thanks, Mark. I always put spare locks in my cases, clearly marked. Never thought about putting a notification on the outside of the case saying spare locks inside. Still thinking about pros and cons of that. But I get a lot of master keys with the same keys.

I use padlocks on my Tuffpac but carry an extra TSA lock for the knuckle heads in New Jersey, on my return.

quote:

Originally posted by rglenz:
I use padlocks on my Tuffpac but carry an extra TSA lock for the knuckle heads in New Jersey, on my return.

When I bought my Tuffpak, I don't remember if I had choice of TSA lock? I did see a few years ago there was someone on here that put a slit in the lid and anchored a piece of flat aluminum inside and went through lid with hole for padlock. Is that what you're talking about?

Yes, JudgeG originally posted the modification. I think it's a good idea.

I had an interesting trip through Houston Hobby and the TSA locks on my SKB case. After checking in and getting to my gate, I hear my name being called to return to the ticket counter. They informed me that they needed my key for the locks on the case? No worry, here you go. 5 minutes later, they return with my keys. Get home to ATL and my key won't go in either lock. Seems the TSA agent broke keys off in both locks! Luckily I was home and was able to remove the latch pins to get the case open and SKB provided replacment latches. Had this been on an outbound trip, I would have been screwed. Now carry a set of extra latchs and a punch to remove pin if necessary

quote:

Originally posted by huntfish1963:
I had an interesting trip through Houston Hobby and the TSA locks on my SKB case. After checking in and getting to my gate, I hear my name being called to return to the ticket counter. They informed me that they needed my key for the locks on the case? No worry, here you go. 5 minutes later, they return with my keys. Get home to ATL and my key won't go in either lock. Seems the TSA agent broke keys off in both locks! Luckily I was home and was able to remove the latch pins to get the case open and SKB provided replacment latches. Had this been on an outbound trip, I would have been screwed. Now carry a set of extra latchs and a punch to remove pin if necessary

That sounds suspiciously like a person with a badge and an agenda. I would file a complaint with TSA.

quote:

But DFW, which is supposedly conservative is the only place I’ve had a lock cut off.

Before SAA went belly up I used to fly them out of JFK. Never had a problem with locks being cut on my gun case but the TSA goons always cut the lock on my checked bag. I'm guessing because I had ammo packed inside that bag. This happened several times so I decided to put a TSA lock on the bag so they could inspect the contacts without cutting the lock. Guess what - they cut the TSA lock.

Between this hassle, the new 4457 and the hundreds in fees charged by RSA and Lufthansa for traveling with a rifle I am this close to just using camp guns. If I knew that the camp gun was the same make and cartridge as my preferred rifle I would do it in a second.

I honestly believe that it is impossible to out smart stupid.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Nitwits.

But the worst place you can be, and it is sadly a common one, is having to tell a law enforcement agent that he is wrong on the law.

But, when they are wrong, it is so much fun to tell them!

After reading everyone’s comments, I’m so glad I fly out of San Francisco. They have a great process, the ticket agent contacts TSA to tell them there is a traveler with a gun. TSA shows up at ticket counter, then as soon as you’re checked in and bags are tagged, they escort you to TSA area where they ask you to open bags to inspect the guns. Customs also shows up to verify gun is not in stolen firearms database. That takes all of 5-10 minutes then they have me lock my case with nonTSA locks and they send it below for loading on plane.

As liberal as San Francisco is, the customs and TSA guys are great. They’ve been friendly and helpful, efficient and professional. Some of them even remember me from previous trips and want to know where I’m headed this time and what I’m hunting.

Perhaps all you guys flying out of DFW should fly out of SFO instead!

Further "Events" as relates to the above trip:
My temporary TSA locks that were attached by the TSA agent in Dallas had to be cut off in Joberg for inspection and all that goes with that particular goat rope. But once again I was without any locks to replace. No worries, Anna the meet and greet people simply put zip ties on the case and sent it along -- no questions asked. I was stunned.
Thence, upon arrival in Vic Falls it got even funnier as the that they did not have any type of tool or ? to remove or cut off the zip ties. I had my leatherman in my checked bag, which was sitting there but had a bit of fun watching them sort out how to cut the zip ties.

Question regarding using Tuffpak. It’s what I have and like to use for transporting my rifles. I haven’t been to Africa since 2021 but am going back in 2025.

In researching any new TSA rules, I saw a statement that a gun case with 4 locks was required.

Is this correct? If so it rules out my Tuffpak.

Any clarification would be appreciated.

There is no requirement for 4 locks. The rule is that every hole for a lock must have one. So if your case has 4 places for locks, you can't use just 2.

We are hunting in SA with friends, one of the guys with us has a case with 4 holes, had TSA locks in only 2 holes, neither contract airline or TSA employees said anything. He has cheap TSA cable/combination locks. Rifle arrived in Joburg with only one lock, no one said anything about it. Rifle case arrived in Pirt Elizabeth with zero locks, rifles were still in case, though. We’ll see what happens on homeward bound flights.

What is the purpose of TSA locks??

No other country does that, that I am aware of??

The Patriot Act has screwed Americans!

Saeed,

The TSA lock allows TSA personnel access to the contents of your luggage with their special key. That way TSA does not have to find you to open your luggage if they need to inspect something.

It's all pretty much irrelevant as a TSA lock key can be bought on the Internet so anybody with a TSA key can open your luggage. Additionally the TSA rules NOW State that you can use either combination, key or TSA locks on your gun case. What that means a person can buy a TSA key from Amazon and steal anything they want out of your luggage with nobody the wiser until you unpack your luggage. Also if you are stupid enough to put a TSA lock on your gun case someone with a TSA key can steal your expensive rifles also.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Saeed,

The TSA lock allows TSA personnel access to the contents of your luggage with their special key. That way TSA does not have to find you to open your luggage if they need to inspect something.

It's all pretty much irrelevant as a TSA lock key can be bought on the Internet so anybody with a TSA key can open your luggage. Additionally the TSA rules NOW State that you can use either combination, key or TSA locks on your gun case. What that means a person can buy a TSA key from Amazon and steal anything they want out of your luggage with nobody the wiser until you unpack your luggage. Also if you are stupid enough to put a TSA lock on your gun case someone with a TSA key can steal your expensive rifles also.

Mark

Stupid idea anyway!

Others all over the world don’t do that.

If customs needs to open your case, you do it for them as you arrive!

The more I read and travel, the less I know. My last flight with firearms was Delta, from Dulles to Anchorage in February this year.

The ammo had to be packed in with the revolver, non TSA lock. I carry the revolver, in a locked hard case, inside of a soft suitcase. The baggage people then put a zip tie around the entire soft bag. Then an escort to TSA, who had a super special (X-Ray??) machine that inspected the bag.

When I arrived in Anchorage, I thought I would have to borrow a knife in the hotel to cut off the zip tie, but they put the zip tie on upside down and I just pulled it apart.

The home bound trip had no TSA, just put the paper in with the revolver. This time the zip tie was on right, but I have tools in the car. The dykes made quick work of the zip tie, so I put the revolver where it belongs.

The rules for how to pack ammo are airline-determined and are all over the place.

Pretty much all say it should be in its own boxes. I have used factory original and aftermarket cardboard and factory original and aftermarket plastic.

Some airlines require that the ammo boxes be packed separately from everything else and checked in their own case as checked luggage.

Some say the box or luggage case with the ammo in it should be placed inside a separately checked bag - but NOT the gun case.

Some say the case should be locked; others don't say.

Some say it should weigh no more than 5 kg. including the boxes and cases; some say just the ammo in its boxes should weigh no more than 5 kg.

I just follow the particular airline's rules (to the extent I can figure them out) and always use combination locks (with TSA key overrides) on the luggage cases with the ammo boxes inside them.

Once, I got to my destination - after I had packed the ammo case inside another piece of checked luggage - and opened the bag.

I found my ammo case inside. It had been unlocked. The ammo was safe inside but the open combination locks were loose inside my luggage.

Just bizarre.

Just returned from Mongolia. If TSA and CBP would just read the law and their own regs all would be well, unfortunately your best hope is to luck out with the right agent. Extremely frustrating. .

I had One lock Cut off a Rifle Case that had two Private Locks. I also put in Keyed alike Locks inside the Case and a note asking TSA to replace them. They didn't. Sea-Tac to LA to JFK.

A close friend messaged me today with this question, he is an experienced hunter and traveler, and asked my take on this thread. I personally won’t put a TSA lock on my gun case, too many keys out there. We very recently went to SA with friends, we all took our rifles. I use an SKB case that has their locks. One friend had a hard case with 4 holes for locks, he used TSA locks and when we claimed our rifles for permits in Joburg, his case had zero locks. Rifle and scope still there, but no locks. Had to get locks before connecting flight to GQ (PE), locks were still on the case when claimed.