To New Orleans With A Gun?

[Hi Salenity]

I'm going to Fly down to New Orleans at the end of September for my anniversary. It will be me my wife, a Friend of mine and his daughter.

My question is how do I get my gun to New Orleans? Sorry I don't fly alot so this may be a stupid question but can I check it in at the airport? Obviously I'm not talking about a carry on.

I've also thought about mailing it to the Hotel and just picking the package up as I check in but I'm sure the ATF would frown on that because it was not shipped to a FFL holder...

Me and the same buddy went to New Orleans last year and had a blast! I love the French Quarter but it's definitely the dirty south. There were places late at night including our hotel (WORST HOTEL EVER!!!!!!!!!!) that I have no desire taking anyone including myself without a 45 or 2.

On a side note Anyone that wants to take a couple guys fishing or show us some Gators in the swamp let me know.

[preach4bass]

Sounds like you need to take your wife somewhere else.

[Highhawk1948]

Call the airline and they will give you there rules and regs. I have taken one several times on flights and its real easy. Locked Hard Case, Ammo in orginal box/s seperate from gun. Fill out a form. No problems.

[Hi Salenity]

Thanks, I knew their would be a way but I haven't booked a flight yet so It'll have to wait till then.

My other problem is we are returning on a Tuesday and my wife has night class on Tuesday evening If our flight is delayed I'd hate to make her wait on me to get the gun.

How does it work Do they bring it to you after the flight ? It surely doesn't come up the escalator with everyone else's stuff? And we will have a layover. and may switch planes.

[Hi Salenity]

Sounds like you need to take your wife somewhere else.

Yea that place makes Sturgis look like Church camp!

[JamesD]

Alright, luckily for you, I have flown with a handgun before.

After driving from Jackson, MS to Phoenix, AZ I had to fly home.

I flew via Southwest and called long ahead of time and spoke to a Rep about what I needed prior to the flight.

As of Sept '10 I had to have the weapon, unloaded, inside a locked hardcase. I used the original case for my XD .45. The magazines must be empty, and NOT inserted into the gun.

The ammunition must either be in a separate hardcase, or original packaging. Since I didn't at the time have an empty box for 50+ rounds of ammunition (Two 10's and three 13's) I bought a Plano ammo box from academy for a few dollars.

The other stipulation is that the weapon, ammunition, and magazines must be inside locked luggage, preferably hard luggage, but I flew with a zippered back without issue. As long as it can be locked, it is not an issue.

When I entered the airport, with my weapon already prepped for travel, locked and so on, I checked in with the ticket counter & informed the girl that I would be flying with a weapon today. She then got another individual, who asked me to show them and went through the security check to make sure it was up to the airline & tsa standards. They gave me two small tags to fill out, one that went on the weapon's case, and another that went in/on my luggage. Afterwards, my bag was put through an exterior metal detector to verify that I wasn't flying with anything other than what I'd already told them. From there, it was loaded onto the plane by one man (at least this guarantee your bag will NOT get lost). They informed me that I would have to retrieve my bag from the Jackson Intl. airport security desk, but it came through the conveyor like any other bag. I walked out, went to my car, loaded my weapon and drove off.

Since I was in phoenix and their gunlaws are FANTASTIC I was not concerned about walking into the airport with it in the bag that way.

I do not know your local laws, so I don't know how they will feel about that.

anyway, Louisiana is one of 25 states that reciprocates the MS Concealed carry permit. You can check http://www.handgunlaw.us/ to check your state permit's reciprocity.

LA functions under Napoleonic law. They DO let you carry a weapon in your vehicle, but I've never been stopped in LA and had to explain why I carry, why it's loaded, and so on.

Good luck, have fun, and STAY SAFE!

[RobertBG]

Alright, luckily for you, I have flown with a handgun before.

After driving from Jackson, MS to Phoenix, AZ I had to fly home.

I flew via Southwest and called long ahead of time and spoke to a Rep about what I needed prior to the flight.

As of Sept '10 I had to have the weapon, unloaded, inside a locked hardcase. I used the original case for my XD .45. The magazines must be empty, and NOT inserted into the gun.

The ammunition must either be in a separate hardcase, or original packaging. Since I didn't at the time have an empty box for 50+ rounds of ammunition (Two 10's and three 13's) I bought a Plano ammo box from academy for a few dollars.

The other stipulation is that the weapon, ammunition, and magazines must be inside locked luggage, preferably hard luggage, but I flew with a zippered back without issue. As long as it can be locked, it is not an issue.

When I entered the airport, with my weapon already prepped for travel, locked and so on, I checked in with the ticket counter & informed the girl that I would be flying with a weapon today. She then got another individual, who asked me to show them and went through the security check to make sure it was up to the airline & tsa standards. They gave me two small tags to fill out, one that went on the weapon's case, and another that went in/on my luggage. Afterwards, my bag was put through an exterior metal detector to verify that I wasn't flying with anything other than what I'd already told them. From there, it was loaded onto the plane by one man (at least this guarantee your bag will NOT get lost). They informed me that I would have to retrieve my bag from the Jackson Intl. airport security desk, but it came through the conveyor like any other bag. I walked out, went to my car, loaded my weapon and drove off.

Since I was in phoenix and their gunlaws are FANTASTIC I was not concerned about walking into the airport with it in the bag that way.

I do not know your local laws, so I don't know how they will feel about that.

anyway, Louisiana is one of 25 states that reciprocates the MS Concealed carry permit. You can check http://www.handgunlaw.us/ to check your state permit's reciprocity.

LA functions under Napoleonic law. They DO let you carry a weapon in your vehicle, but I've never been stopped in LA and had to explain why I carry, why it's loaded, and so on.

Good luck, have fun, and STAY SAFE!

good post I'll add that it is also wise to have copies of the laws printed and near or with you and your handgun.I personally dont have a ccw but while traveling with a friend who is a police detective and does for a hunting trip it came in handy.I figure if he (State Police)does it it cant hurt in these times