Have Guns, Want to Travel

Travel is broadening, they say. Travel with guns, however, is narrowing. That is, it is always becoming more of a headache. Curiously, it is not the government-or at least not the US government-that's at fault. No, it's the airlines, foreign countries and even our individual states. New restrictions shouldn't prevent you from going to Botswana or Wyoming to shoot, but they will require some extra homework and they may force you to pack differently. What follows is the latest information on moving sporting guns around the globe with minimal bother.

Despite the creation of the Transportation Security Administration, federal regulations about flying with firearms have not changed since before 9/11. A summary of TSA rules follows, which you can read in full on the "Firearms and Ammunition" section at the TSA Website, www.tsa.gov.

All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process.

The firearms must be unloaded.

The firearms must be carried in a hard-sided container.

The container must be locked. It is preferred that you provide the key or combination to the screener and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the screener must open the container, the TSA and/or airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If this is unsuccessful, the container will not be placed on the plane, as unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) are not permitted on aircraft.

Ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Ammunition may be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.

Air carriers may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition an individual may place in checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should contact their air carrier regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Nearly every airline limits ammunition to 11 pounds or five kilos. (US Airways stipulates 10 pounds and doesn't allow handloads.)

Guns must be declared at the ticket counter, not curbside. The ticket agent will provide a Firearm Declaration Form -a tag that requires your signature attesting that your guns are unloaded. The tag must be kept inside the case. If the agent wants to hang the tag on the outside of the case, effectively advertising its contents and inviting some lowlife to steal it, politely but firmly insist otherwise. The Federal Firearms License Reform Act of 1993 specifically forbids tagging any package or luggage as containing a firearm.

It's sad but true that more and more airlines, especially the no-frills types and small regional carriers, simply do not accept guns as baggage. This is rarely a political statement so much as an inability to meet the demands or costs of firearms regulations, especially overseas. Air Canada recently instituted a $50 each-way surcharge on checked firearms for all flights that begin and end in Canada. The airline also requires trigger locks.


Airline Baggage

In general, domestic and international fliers are entitled to one "personal item" (such as a purse or briefcase), one carry-on bag (weighing usually up to 40 pounds) and two pieces of checked luggage. Since 2005 checked bags have been limited to 50 pounds each. Most airlines charge from $25 to $100 for each bag that exceeds the weight limit. British Airways no longer boards any bag exceeding 70 pounds unless it's pre-approved, whereas other airlines will refuse any item over 100 pounds.

When full, those wheeled duffels with the lower compartments for guns are now often too heavy for airline travel; an alloy case with two guns in it may be 35 pounds all by itself. If one of your checked bags is the gun case, now you're restricted to 50 pounds total for all of your clothing and gear in bag number two. One workaround, depending on your gun case, is to fill any remaining space around the gun(s) with soft goods. If necessary, pay the overage and chalk it up to the cost of a memorable hunt.


Upon Arrival

Foreign destinations or transit stops invariably have their own firearms regulations, and most call for paperwork in advance. Bringing a gun into the UK, for example, requires a Visitor's Shot Gun Per-mit, issued by the police, which can take weeks to receive. However, if you're just transiting London to a foreign destination, you won't need a permit-unless you're staying overnight or even just transferring between Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Some airports require a special "in transit" tag. Some airlines may not have baggage-forwarding agreements. Ask before you book your tickets. And know what paperwork requirements-and perhaps fees-await you at your final destination.

In some countries a visitor with fire-arms must present a passport, airline ticket and proof of ownership of each gun. For Americans, this means US Customs and Border Protection Form 4455, a certificate of registration that proves you have registered your gun(s) with US Customs. The form is available at any Customs office or through the agency's Website (www.cbp.gov). Although the form is available for download, you'll need to complete the process with US Customs in person before departing, with the gun available for examination. If there's no office or port-of-entry nearby, call ahead to the office at the international airport you'll use and leave plenty of extra time before your flight.

On your return, US Customs may ask if your gun was purchased overseas-and thus subject to an import duty. A foreign gun permit does not prove that you owned the gun before the trip, and even a US bill of sale is not always sufficient proof of prior ownership. Instead, register your gun with a Form 4455 before you leave. Once you have the stamped form, it's good indefinitely for that gun. Carry it with you. Consider also using US Customs Form 4457, which registers personal effects taken abroad and shows that you owe no import fees on items like cameras, electronics and other valuables.


Domestic Shipment

One way to avoid the baggage restrictions and check-in process is to ship your gun to yourself at your destination. This is perfectly legal within the US as long as the package is addressed to and opened by the owner. For details, visit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Website, www.atf.gov, and search for "mailing firearms legally." The law states that "A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the state where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity" and requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm.

The US Postal Service recommends using registered mail for long guns; pistols and other concealable firearms cannot be mailed except by Federal Firearms License-holders. UPS and FedEx, despite the rules, require an FFL from either the sender or recipient. If you're traveling to a lodge, ask if they have an FFL; otherwise, you can have the gun shipped from and back to your nearest willing dealer, typically for a fee.

Do not try this outside the US!


Travel by Car

If instead of flying to Scotland or Argentina you'd like to know if you legally can drive through Washington, DC, with an AyA in the back of your Tahoe, go to www.gunlawguide.com, the Website for Scott Kappas's small book, Traveler's Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States. It summarizes each state's laws on owning, registering and carrying or transporting firearms.

The guide is updated annually, and the 10th edition is available for $12.95 postpaid from the Website above or from Traveler's Guide, PO Box 2156, Covington, KY 41012; 859-647-5100.

The only surprise about international and interstate gun laws is how much they vary. Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse. Like everyone who travels to shoot, I've had a few-but only a few-encounters with airlines and government agents. They have ranged from comical to inconvenient but never have landed me in jail or cost me a gun or a hunt. Each case has been due to poor communication or an outright error on my part.

More and more destinations now loan guns to clients or rent them at nominal rates. But if you prefer to bring your own, don't let the regulations wear you down. Do your research. Find and rely on an experienced travel or shooting agent. The airlines themselves can be helpful, and they usually have excellent Websites. And don't forget the US State Department, which offers the latest travel information for Americans going abroad at http://travel.state.gov.

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