PACKING
Unload your firearm, secure it in a locked case, and double-check every bag to make sure no stray rounds remain.

AT THE AIRPORT
Head straight to the airline check-in counter and clearly declare your firearm before checking your luggage. Want to know exactly what to say? Download the guide!

AFTER CHECK-IN
Keep the keys from your locked gun case with you and stay available near the counter in case TSA needs you to unlock it.

ARRIVAL & DIVERSIONS
Understand the laws at your destination, even if your flight is diverted to a different state. Check the USCCA® Reciprocity Map, especially if your flight is diverted, and follow the information provided.

PREPARE
Verify your destination's laws, and make sure your ID and gear meet legal requirements.

USCCA X

STOPBOX PRO

USCCA CUSTOM WATERPROOF 

HANDGUN CASE

USCCA X PELICAN VAULT

UNIVERSAL 5-PISTOL CASE™

After many years of talking about it, I recently joined the world of RV owners. While my wife was busy planning what household items we would need to buy to stock it, I looked at it from a risk-assessment point of view.

RV Security: Defense in a Motorized Home

Concealed Carry on a Motorcycle: A Rider’s Guide

Motorcycles and firearms both represent freedom — but also risk. Whether you’re heading to work or rolling into Sturgis, concealed carry on a motorcycle requires careful planning. 

FOPA: Traveling With A Firearm

Got questions about traveling with a gun in your vehicle? You're not alone. Whether you're headed across the state or across the country, understanding how to legally and safely transport your firearm is critical.

PLAN SAFE STOPS
Map out fuel, food, and rest stops in well-lit, populated areas. Pre-plan stops that comply with firearm laws and always trust your instincts.

FIREARM STORAGE
In restricted jurisdictions, keep your firearm and ammo in a secure location that meets the laws along your route.

BEING PULLED OVER
Pull over safely with hands visible and calm movements. Follow all commands, disclose your permit if required by law, and never reach for your firearm unless instructed.

CROSSING STATE LINES
Reciprocity rules change from state to state. Download the Traveling With Your Gun guide to avoid costly mistakes and see how the Firearm Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) can safeguard your trip.

At Your Destination
Check local laws for hotel, private property, or state-specific restrictions before you park or enter. Don’t assume the rules on the road still apply once you arrive.

PREPARE
Verify your destination's laws, and make sure your ID and gear meet legal requirements.

USCCA X

STOPBOX PRO

USCCA CUSTOM WATERPROOF 

HANDGUN CASE

USCCA X PELICAN VAULT

UNIVERSAL 5-PISTOL CASE™

After many years of talking about it, I recently joined the world of RV owners. While my wife was busy planning what household items we would need to buy to stock it, I looked at it from a risk-assessment point of view.

RV Security: Defense in a Motorized Home

Concealed Carry on a Motorcycle: A Rider’s Guide

Motorcycles and firearms both represent freedom — but also risk. Whether you’re heading to work or rolling into Sturgis, concealed carry on a motorcycle requires careful planning. 

FOPA: Traveling With A Firearm

Got questions about traveling with a gun in your vehicle? You're not alone. Whether you're headed across the state or across the country, understanding how to legally and safely transport your firearm is critical.

Traveling with a firearm doesn't have to be stressful, but it does require thorough planning. Thousands of travelers are fined millions of dollars each year for easy-to-avoid mistakes. Luckily, with the FREE Traveling With Your Gun guide, you can explore with confidence.  

UNLOADED. LOCKED. DECLARED. CHECKED.

Firearms must be unloaded, locked, declared, and checked — permits don't allow carry-ons

How much ammo can you actually take?

Most airlines allow you to bring 11 pounds of ammunition in your checked bags. That's more than enough for typical recreational or defensive needs. If you need more than that for extended training, you should consider buying any additional ammunition after you land at your destination

Pack the ammunition in the original boxes or proper ammo containers. You can put ammo in the same case as your gun if it fits and it's properly contained. Just make sure that every magazine is empty. You'll want to double- and triple-check this.

Here's where it's easy to slip up: You might forget about that one loose round in your coat pocket or your carry-on bag. But rest assured that TSA will find it — and when they do, you're in for a very bad day.

Do you need special papers to fly with your gun?

For domestic flights? No. The Firearms Owners' Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 926A) doesn't require you to prove ownership for transport. Your driver's license — provided it complies with the new REAL ID requirements — is enough for TSA.

Don't let anyone sell you some expensive “traveler's gun permit package.” It's a scam. Your ID works fine.

But you had better know the laws where you're going. Some states will arrest you just for having what's perfectly legal back home. For information about state gun laws and whether your permit is good in another state, check out USCCA.com/travel.

Will TSA go through your gun case?

Maybe. TSA might want to inspect your case, which is why you can't just drop it off and run to your gate.

If they need to look inside, they'll call you back to unlock it with your keys. This happens more than you'd think, especially if something looks weird on the X-ray.

Stay available for at least 30 minutes after you check your gun. Don't be that individual they're paging overhead while your flight is boarding.

Can you put multiple guns in one case?

You can put several guns in one good case as long as each one is unloaded and the case stays locked tight. Tell the airline that you're declaring “firearms” when you have more than one.

Just know that more guns usually means more inspection time, so plan accordingly.

Do airlines have their own rules for firearms?

Every airline follows TSA rules, but some add their own restrictions or fees. American, Delta, Southwest and United all have different quirks.

Check your airline's policies before you book, not when you're standing at the counter with your gun case.

What if your flight is diverted?

Flight diversions happen. If you end up in New York or New Jersey with your gun, don't claim your bag. Ask the airline to send it on to your original destination. If you take possession of your firearm and don't have the proper permits, you can expect to be prosecuted.

Questions about flying with your firearm?

TSA rules change, and different airports sometimes interpret those rules differently. For current info, call the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673.

The USCCA also has solid resources on traveling with firearms that cover the state-by-state stuff TSA won't tell you about.

Don't trust forum posts or your buddy's advice from five years ago. Get it from the source.

Links to the major domestic airlines firearms policies.

• Alaska Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

If you are traveling internationally with a firearm, see our International Travel page for information.

How should I pack ammunition when flying?

• Pack ammunition only in checked baggage. TSA does not allow ammo in carry-ons.
  
  
• Use the original manufacturer's box or a purpose-made ammo box (fiber, wood, plastic, or metal). Absolutely NO loose rounds in your luggage!
  
  
• Observe quantity limits. Many airlines and international rules limit ammo to about 11 lbs. per passenger. Check your airline to verify.
  
  
• Know local and destination laws. Airlines and TSA enforce transport rules, but do not guarantee possession is legal at your destination.

Remember: Failing to follow these rules can lead to fines, delays, and confiscation.

How much ammo can you actually take?

Most airlines allow you to bring 11 pounds of ammunition in your checked bags. That's more than enough for typical recreational or defensive needs. If you need more than that for extended training, you should consider buying any additional ammunition after you land at your destination

Pack the ammunition in the original boxes or proper ammo containers. You can put ammo in the same case as your gun if it fits and it's properly contained. Just make sure that every magazine is empty. You'll want to double- and triple-check this.

Here's where it's easy to slip up: You might forget about that one loose round in your coat pocket or your carry-on bag. But rest assured that TSA will find it — and when they do, you're in for a very bad day.

Can you put multiple guns in one case?

You can put several guns in one good case as long as each one is unloaded and the case stays locked tight. Tell the airline that you're declaring “firearms” when you have more than one.

Just know that more guns usually means more inspection time, so plan accordingly.

Do airlines have their own rules for firearms?

Every airline follows TSA rules, but some add their own restrictions or fees. American, Delta, Southwest and United all have different quirks.

Check your airline's policies before you book, not when you're standing at the counter with your gun case.

Will TSA go through your gun case?

Maybe. TSA might want to inspect your case, which is why you can't just drop it off and run to your gate.

If they need to look inside, they'll call you back to unlock it with your keys. This happens more than you'd think, especially if something looks weird on the X-ray.

Stay available for at least 30 minutes after you check your gun. Don't be that individual they're paging overhead while your flight is boarding.

For domestic flights? No. The Firearms Owners' Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 926A) doesn't require you to prove ownership for transport. Your driver's license — provided it complies with the new REAL ID requirements — is enough for TSA.

Don't let anyone sell you some expensive “traveler's gun permit package.” It's a scam. Your ID works fine.

But you had better know the laws where you're going. Some states will arrest you just for having what's perfectly legal back home. For information about state gun laws and whether your permit is good in another state, check out USCCA.com/travel.

6,678 GUNS

TSA caught 6,678 guns at checkpoints in 2024: 94% were loaded.

1,200%

Firearms fines have jumped 1,200% since 2018.

$23M

TSA fined travelers nearly $23M in 2024 for guns in carry-ons.

17,00 Guns

Fines start at $1,500 and can exceed $17,000 for repeat offenses.

What if your flight is diverted?

Flight diversions happen. If you end up in New York or New Jersey with your gun, don't claim your bag. Ask the airline to send it on to your original destination. If you take possession of your firearm and don't have the proper permits, you can expect to be prosecuted.

TSA rules change, and different airports sometimes interpret those rules differently. For current info, call the TSA Contact Center at 1-866-289-9673.

The USCCA also has solid resources on traveling with firearms that cover the state-by-state stuff TSA won't tell you about.

Don't trust forum posts or your buddy's advice from five years ago. Get it from the source.

Links to the major domestic airlines firearms policies.

• Alaska Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

If you are traveling internationally with a firearm, see our International Travel page for information.

Questions About Flying With Your Firearm?

How should I pack ammunition when flying?

• Pack ammunition only in checked baggage. TSA does not allow ammo in carry-ons.
  
  
• Use the original manufacturer's box or a purpose-made ammo box (fiber, wood, plastic, or metal). Absolutely NO loose rounds in your luggage!
  
  
• Observe quantity limits. Many airlines and international rules limit ammo to about 11 lbs. per passenger. Check your airline to verify.
  
  
• Know local and destination laws. Airlines and TSA enforce transport rules, but do not guarantee possession is legal at your destination.

Remember: Failing to follow these rules can lead to fines, delays, and confiscation.