Flying with a firearm is not a difficult process, but Americans must abide by federal, state, local, and international laws to avoid incidents like the one that occurred at an Atlanta airport on Saturday.
An “accidental discharge” of a firearm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport over the weekend caused chaos and frightened travelers. Officials announced there was not an active shooter after numerous social media posts indicated that passengers were evacuating parts of America’s busiest airport.
(The Associated Press)
ATLANTA AIRPORT: ‘ACCIDENTAL’ GUN DISCHARGE SENDS TRAVELERS FLEEING, BUT NO ACTIVE SHOOTER, OFFICIALS SAY
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), travelers “may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only.”
In a set of guidelines and rules, TSA says travelers must “declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter” and the firearm’s container “must completely secure the firearm from being accessed.” TSA also states that “locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted.”
Local, state, and international laws regarding firearms – which travelers should make themselves aware of prior to their trip – vary and can result in legal issues if they are not followed properly.
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Two airplane pilots pass by a line of passengers while waiting at a security check-in line at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, ahead of Fourth of July weekend, July 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar, File)
As noted in TSA rules, bringing “an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint.”
Additionally, TSA noted that firearm parts – including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins – are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage. Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, are also to be transported in checked baggage only.
Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but it may be transported in checked baggage.
For more information on rules regarding traveling with firearms and ammunition, click here.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this article.