Flying With Firearms

Important Legal Notice

This page is general travel information, not legal advice. Firearm laws and airline policies can change without notice. The traveler is responsible for confirming current federal, state, local, airport, airline, and destination-country rules before every trip.

Never assume that a concealed-carry permit from your home state is valid at your destination. If your itinerary changes or an airline returns your checked firearm during an overnight delay, do not assume you may legally take possession of it in that jurisdiction.

TSA: The Basic Rules

Firearms belong in checked baggage only. Never take a firearm through a TSA passenger screening checkpoint.
The firearm must be completely unloaded.
Use a locked, hard-sided case that cannot be easily pried open.
Declare the firearm at the airline ticket counter when checking the bag. Do not use curbside check-in for a firearm.
Keep the key or combination with you. TSA may ask you to open the case for inspection.
Ammunition must be properly packaged. Most U.S. airlines limit small-arms ammunition to 11 lb / 5 kg per passenger. Airline rules may be stricter.

TSA Firearms Guidance

ATF / Federal Interstate Transport

Federal law provides limited protection for lawful interstate transportation when a person may legally possess the firearm at both the origin and destination and the firearm is transported unloaded and not readily accessible. For a vehicle without a separate trunk, the firearm and ammunition should be in a locked container other than the glove box or console.

Do not treat federal “safe passage” as a substitute for checking state and local law. Your destination, stopover, hotel stay, airport baggage claim, and any voluntary deviation can create separate legal issues.

ATF Traveling With Firearms 18 U.S.C. § 926A

Major U.S. Airline Policies

Always open the airline’s current policy before travel. Codeshare and partner-operated flights may follow the operating carrier’s rules.

Airline	Checked Firearm	Ammunition	Key Notes	Official Policy
American Airlines	Yes — unloaded, locked hard-sided case; declare at counter.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg, securely packaged.	Passenger must be 18+ for domestic transport. Rifle cases require locks on each end.	View
Delta Air Lines	Yes — unloaded, locked hard-sided case; declaration required.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg.	Delta may place firearm cases at the Baggage Service Office for ID pickup.	View
United Airlines	Yes — checked, secured and declared.	Check current limit and packaging requirements.	Review the current sports-equipment/firearms section before departure.	View
Southwest Airlines	Yes — unloaded, separate locked hard-sided firearm case; declare at ticket counter.	Check current ammunition packaging rules.	No curbside firearm check-in. Passenger retains key/combination.	View
Alaska Airlines	Yes — checked baggage subject to current firearm policy.	Check current limit and packaging rules.	Confirm policy for all Alaska/Hawaiian-operated segments.	View
Hawaiian Airlines	Yes — unloaded, hard-sided firearm case, declared.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg; no loose ammunition.	Hawaiian requires magazines/clips removed and empty under its published conditions.	View
JetBlue	Yes — unloaded, locked hard-sided firearm case; declaration tag.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg; ammunition housed separately from locked firearm under JetBlue policy.	International transport may require prior government approval and documents.	View
Frontier Airlines	Domestic U.S. flights only — unloaded, hard-sided locked case; declare.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg.	Frontier states firearms and ammunition are not accepted on international flights.	View
Allegiant Air	Domestic U.S. flights only — unloaded, locked hard-sided container; declare.	Check current restricted-articles table.	Passenger must be 18+ and retain the key/combination.	View
Avelo Airlines	Yes on eligible domestic routes; not accepted to San Juan or on international flights.	Up to 11 lb / 5 kg.	A locked hard-sided firearm container is required; a locked suitcase alone does not qualify.	View
Breeze Airways	Accepted as checked baggage on domestic flights subject to TSA and carrier rules.	Check current contract/policy before travel.	Adult traveler must declare the firearm/ammunition.	View
Sun Country Airlines	Checked baggage only; declare at airport check-in.	Check current packaging and weight limits.	No international carriage of firearms/ammunition under current published policy.	View

High-Risk / Restrictive U.S. Destinations

These jurisdictions deserve extra research before you book or fly with a firearm. This is not a complete list.

New York City / New York

HIGH RISK

New York City has its own licensing system. A permit from another state does not automatically authorize possession in NYC. Avoid assuming that merely landing at JFK, LGA or another New York airport makes possession lawful.

NYPD firearms information

New Jersey

HIGH RISK

New Jersey has strict possession and transport rules, including limits on where and how firearms may be transported. Confirm lawful possession, magazine/firearm configuration, and transport requirements before entering the state.

NJ State Police firearms information

Massachusetts

HIGH RISK

Massachusetts generally requires a state firearms license to possess or carry firearms unless an exemption applies. Non-resident licensing and transport rules should be checked in advance.

Massachusetts firearms laws

California

RESTRICTIVE

California requires transported handguns to be unloaded and in a locked container and restricts certain firearm configurations and magazines. Do not assume a firearm legal in your home state is legal to bring into California.

California DOJ transport guidance

District of Columbia

HIGH RISK

D.C. has firearm-registration and carry-license requirements. MPD advises non-residents merely traveling through with an unregistered firearm to pass through without stopping or deviating and to comply with D.C. transport law.

DC Metropolitan Police firearms information

Maryland

RESTRICTIVE

Maryland does not recognize out-of-state carry permits. The state also restricts certain firearms and many carry locations. Review transport rules and the Maryland State Police firearm database before travel.

Maryland State Police firearms information

Illinois / Chicago

RESTRICTIVE

Illinois has specific rules affecting assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Non-resident interstate transport protections have conditions, including time and accessibility requirements.

Illinois State Police guidance

Connecticut

RESTRICTIVE

Connecticut regulates assault weapons, magazines and handgun carry. Interstate transport through the state must satisfy federal-style unloaded and inaccessible transport conditions.

Connecticut firearms information

Hawaii

HIGH RISK

Hawaii has registration and local county requirements for firearms brought into the state. Travelers should verify registration deadlines, firearm/magazine restrictions and carry rules before arrival.

Hawaii firearms information

International Travel: Do Not Assume U.S. Rules Apply

Declaring a firearm to an airline does not give you legal permission to import it into another country. Many destinations require advance government permits, and some effectively prohibit ordinary travelers from bringing firearms or ammunition.

Turks & Caicos

EXTREME CAUTION

Firearms and ammunition are prohibited without local authorization. Even a single forgotten round can result in arrest, detention, fines and potentially lengthy imprisonment.

The Bahamas

EXTREME CAUTION

Firearms and ammunition are illegal without proper authorization, including small quantities accidentally left in luggage.

Jamaica

EXTREME CAUTION

Do not bring firearms, ammunition, spent shells or casings without proper authorization. Violations can result in arrest and severe penalties.

Mexico

EXTREME CAUTION

U.S. carry permits are not valid. Bringing firearms or ammunition into Mexico without Mexican government permits is a serious crime.

Best practice for Caribbean and Mexico vacations: use travel luggage that has never been used as a range bag or ammunition bag, and inspect every pocket, liner, pouch and compartment before packing.

U.S. State Department Firearms Guidance

TeamCOTS Pre-Flight Firearm Checklist

Before Booking

Check destination law, connection airports, airline restrictions, magazine/firearm configuration, carry-permit reciprocity, and international permits if applicable.

Before Leaving Home

Unload the firearm. Remove any round from the chamber. Secure it in a hard-sided locked case. Properly package ammunition. Inspect every bag for loose ammunition.

At the Airport

Go to the staffed airline ticket counter. Declare the firearm. Complete the airline declaration. Remain available in case TSA needs access to the locked case.

During Disruptions

If you are rerouted or forced to overnight in a restrictive jurisdiction, ask the airline about keeping the checked firearm within the baggage system rather than taking possession of it.

Need Help Planning a Firearm-Friendly Trip?

Team Carry On Travel Services can help with flight routing, connection planning, baggage-rule research and identifying destination restrictions. We do not provide legal advice or guarantee firearm-law compliance.

Travelers should independently verify all firearm laws immediately before departure.

Contact TeamCOTS

Disclaimer

Information on this page is provided for general travel-planning purposes only and is not legal advice. Team Carry On Travel Services does not represent that this information is complete or current for every jurisdiction. Firearm, ammunition, magazine, licensing, registration, possession, carry, transport, airport and airline rules may change at any time. Travelers are solely responsible for verifying and complying with all applicable federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, airline and international laws and regulations before travel.

Last reviewed: September 12, 2026.