Advice Please - Get Pistol Home

[teflon6string]

FedEx | System Down

Interesting final paragraph in the section about non-[FFL] licensees shipping to themselves. I bring this up because I recall shipping a pistol to Ruger for repair and getting it back a few weeks later at the regional shipping hub (Swan Island, Portland OR). No FFL involved. Worth a call to get some details if the idea appeals. Ask at the hub since a storefront clerk might not know.

Condolences for your loss. It's been years for me, so I can say that ownership of a father's gun (or mom's, granddad's, aunt's, whoever) can become a gentle comfort that endures. Rather than dwelling upon their eventual decline, it allows us to picture loved ones in their prime, actively enjoying hobbies in simpler times. Like shooing trespassers off the damn lawn.

 

[GWS]

S'poze it coulda been someone in baggage handling thinking they were playing a cute joke on folks.
All I know was it wasn't there when I handed over the case in DC but it was on the case when I picked it up at SEATAC...

That blows! I hope you raised hell with the airline over that. Putting a "Steal me now!" sticker on your case is an invitation to lawsuits IMO.

 

[sobo]

That blows! I hope you raised hell with the airline over that. Putting a "Steal me now!" sticker on your case is an invitation to lawsuits IMO.

I did not. I was so horrified to see the sticker that I discreetly grabbed my case, turned it so the sticker-side was toward my body to (mostly) obscure it, and hustled on outta there. I have refused to travel on airlines with my firearms ever since as a result of that single experience.
Given what a couple of others have posted here yesterday and this morning, I may actually give it a try once again.
My dad lives in Virginia and I'll be visiting him in the near future. Hence the return flight out of Dulles.

 

[TXhunter87]

I don't travel without firearms. Flying with them is no big deal. Hard sided locked case, unloaded, declared, in your checked bag. That recipe will suffice for nearly every airline. Extra time is a must. Occasionally, TSA can not scan through certain bags and require a visual inspection. They might ask you for the key, you have a choice to make now, hand the key to a TSA agent and let them look at your belongings without you present, or, request they bring the bag back to you outside of security so you can watch them check the bag.
the first time is nerve wracking, at least it was for me. Now, it's only as big a deal as the teller's make it, which is normally nothing. Do your research on your airline and answer their questions before they ask. Hope this helps, I know I've repeated a few things that others have said, this is all personal experience. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all!
I'm terribly sorry for your loss, no matter the age, or condition, or circumstances, loss is never painless.
-John

 

[3MTA3]

The best instructions I've ever seen from someone who flies regularly

Traveling with your CCW best friend: or how I pack to pack

I am packing to head home from a 10 day trip to the PNW and everytime I come here, I carry my little friend ....a Glock 35 since I have a non resident...

www.survivalmonkey.com

 

[RicInOR]

I found the box. No sales slip. Purchased in Lombard IL. I lived in that area in the mid 60-s to mid 70s.
Blue cardboard.
The pic is in RAW format, so I can't share here.

 

[coop44]

Not a transfer, a transport. Keep the information you share with airline employees to a minimum. You have "owned" it for years. Who is to say otherwise? Given its age and the length of time since purchased it's virtually untraceable. "They" have no "magic" way of " knowing". Dealing with anyone in an official capacity is easy, just give them enough information to get them to do what you want. TMI is a real thing.

 

[Flopsweat]

Not a transfer, a transport. Keep the information you share with airline employees to a minimum. You have "owned" it for years. Who is to say otherwise? Given its age and the length of time since purchased it's virtually untraceable. "They" have no "magic" way of " knowing". Dealing with anyone in an official capacity is easy, just give them enough information to get them to do what you want. TMI is a real thing.

Reminds me of this Ron White quote: "At that time I had the right to remain silent. But I did not have the ability."

I think you're on the right track. The alleged intent of the applicable laws is to keep us safe. No reasonable person would pick nits over this one. You'd just get wrapped around the axle about who is the executor and what paperwork do they need to fill out or did you actually inherit the gun some time ago and only now have to move it because the house is going to be sold and so on and so forth, ad infinitum. It's best for every party involved and any not yet involved for OP to just transport the firearm in whatever manner seems most expedient. And no, that's not advice; it's just my layman opinion.

 

[RicInOR]

Reminds me of this Ron White quote: "At that time I had the right to remain silent. But I did not have the ability."

"They call me Tater Salad" Saw him live at the Schnitz.

 

[RicInOR]

I looked at Walmart, Tractor Supply and a couple of other gun shops. At American Gun and Pawn, got an Apache 2800 box. Office Depot for locks.
A bit more than I wanted to spend, but it is a lifetime purchase. It was less expensive on-line, but I needed one in hand.

I found a suitcase for check-in in my dad's stuff that this will fit inside.

 

[RicInOR]

Hold a good thought / prayer for me. I head to the Tampa airport tomorrow morning at 0-dark-thirty.

 

[Member 52301]

Hold a good thought / prayer for me. I head to the Tampa airport tomorrow morning at 0-dark-thirty.

Prayers said for you.

Take care!

Cate

 

[TTSX]

I feel like I remember reading on the ATF website some years back that one could ship a firearm from themselves to themselves via usps

 

[DLS]

Not a handgun.

 

[RicInOR]

TL;dr - Home with pistol no issues.

Tampa Airport, Delta airline.
Got boarding pass, went to counter
Soft side luggage, TSA lock, hard case as above. Made declaration.
Agent had me sign that declaration and place the signed red note inside my luggage. Not a pocket, same compartment with plastic box.

Then escorted to TSA large luggage scan. I wait, TSA x-rays, , TSA gives me approval.
I didn't know it but they zip-tied my bag.

I then head to regular TSA boarding.

Arrive in PDX, go to the Airline luggage office ... don't know where it is. Delta's is a kiosk right next to the belt. Alaska is at the far end of the baggage claim area.

.


The note was on the back of a punch card - haven't had one in hand in a number of years.



The original box




.

Oh yea, I got out right before the hurricane Eta.

 

[DLS]

Pretty straight-forward isn't it? There are some who tell tales of doom and gloom, but most of those stories stem from the '80s when it was a nightmare to travel with a gun. Each airline pretty much did what they wanted then, and that did cause chaos at times.

I'm glad you are home safely, and am sorry for your loss.

PS: I loved seeing the flag in your baggage ...

Semper Fi!

 

[sobo]

PS: I loved seeing the flag in your baggage ...

 

[Benchrest]

Sorry for your loss OP, and I realize you found your solution, but, for anyone else in such a situation: Gun Shipping - Fast, Legal, Affordable

I've used it, it works

 

[Member 52301]

I agree with what DLS said.

Take care!

Cate