How to label gun case to avoid theft when travelling

[High Lord Gomer]

People used to joke about labelling their enclosed motorcycle trailers with things like "John's Septic Service" to discourage theft.

I'm considering checking a gun case as baggage and trying to figure out what would discourage anyone from taking too much of an interest in it.

I have thought about "DVC Delivery Systems - Specimen Collection Kit #2"

Any other ideas?

[Bryan 45]

"Danger- Live Snakes"

[CocoBolo]

BIO HAZARD LABELS. and Property of Uganda National Aids Research Foundation.

[Classic_jon]

On the funny side:

Marking it "Bio-Hazard: Ebola culture" would be funny.

On the serious side,

I would not label it at all other than "fragile" and put it in something that does not look like a gun case.

If you put a "funny" label on it you may end up with it being whisked away because of it being an improperly declared/transported/marked Bio-hazard etc....

Edited May 11, 2010 by Classic_jon

[XD Niner]

Put it in a larger, non-descript piece of luggage. That way it draws no undue attention. I always ship my guns inside another piece of luggage.

[lynn jones]

"Danger- Live Snakes"

that's the first thing that came to my mind.

lynn

[redwoods]

Label it....diaper bag or used diapers

[Corey]

"Danger-high explosive inside" ?

lol

[CSEMARTIN]

Put it in a larger, non-descript piece of luggage. That way it draws no undue attention. I always ship my guns inside another piece of luggage.

I think this is the way to go.

[TMC]

Band and music stickers, or put them in a beat up golf club case.

A few months ago we went to DC on vacation and flew into Dulles. While we sat waiting for our friends in the baggage pick-up area we watched a large Pelican case with NRA stickers on the baggage carousel go around for about an hour and no one looked twice and it was there long after the crowd had left. The guy who finally picked it up was definatley the owner (you can tell). So I guess you don't have to worry so much, even in less than gun friendly areas.

[bbbean]

Label it....diaper bag or used diapers

I know several pro photographers who use diaper bags instead of camera bags when they're shooting in the city. They say nobody steals a diaper bag.

[CocoBolo]

I hope you know I was kidding about the Bio Hazard. I ship mine in a plain pelican carry on size with wheels, its always made it, no label except name and address.

[Aristotle]

Every time I fly to shoot somewhere, I just stick my range bag and gun in a now well worn Nike duffle bag that's lockable. It's easy to spot because it's bright yellow, and less suspicious. Knock on wood, I've never had any problems. On the outer mesh pockets, I usually stick my dirty socks on the way home... for extra padding. :-) No airline ramper wants to spend any extra time around a stinky bag and the TSA guy seems to always be in a rush when inspecting my bag. win/win

[oldcurmudgeon]

People used to joke about labelling their enclosed motorcycle trailers with things like "John's Septic Service" to discourage theft.

I'm considering checking a gun case as baggage and trying to figure out what would discourage anyone from taking too much of an interest in it.

I have thought about "DVC Delivery Systems - Specimen Collection Kit #2"

Any other ideas?

My handgun case goes inside my luggage. My rifle/shotgun case goes plain. I'm not about to test the humor of the security people by being cute. ("I was just joking," hasn't worked yet as a "get out of jail" pass.)

[CrankyCrash]

I'm a Road Warrior -- Executive Platinum on American Airlines, 100K+ miles per year, blah blah blah.

I take my pistol(s) with me everywhere I legally can and have never had a problem with my baggage being lost that has my guns in it. I've had my other bags misplaced for a few days, but never the bag that had my guns.

Depending on the airline, there are specific rules regarding the type of case your pistol(s) can be in. TSA doesn't seem to have an all inclusive process that it enforces in all airports, for instance: At my hometown airport, the ticket agent notifies TSA that I have checked a bag with a weapon and TSA inspects it in the secure baggage area. In the Atlanta airport, I have been escorted to the TSA large baggage area, TSA inspects the bag and the gun case, marks the baggage tag, and turns it over to a baggage handler (I can no longer touch the bag) to take back to the ticket agent and have them put it on the baggage belt. In Nashville, the ticket agent marks it and notifies TSA, which has a scanner directly behind the American counter, you have to wait until they have scanned it.

You need to make sure that you have completed the appropriate form that has your flight number, signed it, and placed it in the container with your gun(s).

Also, remember that your ammunition is governed by the airlines rules as well. American Airlines allows up to 11 pounds of ammo, in a hard case box (cardboard, plastic, etc...) AND most importantly IT CANNOT BE IN THE SAME BAG AS YOUR GUN! So, if you don't have status with American you are going to pay for checking TWO bags... I also recommend you place the boxes containing your ammo on a zip lock bag, I can't tell you the number of times that TSA didn't properly close my plastic ammo boxes (I even put rubber bands around them) and I ended up with cartridges all over the place until I started putting the boxes in zip lock bags.

I recommend putting TSA locks on your gun case and all your luggage, they are cheap and TSA has the master key so they can open it without you being around ... most of the time.

Being prepared in advance will save you alot of time and frustration and prevent you from missing your flight.

Edited May 11, 2010 by CrankyCrash

[smokshwn]

On the serious side,

I would not label it at all other than "fragile" and put it in something that does not look like a gun case.

Definitely go with "FRAGILE", baggage handlers the world over are known to respect this label and their honor code dictates that it is never to be taken as a challenge

Edited May 11, 2010 by smokshwn

[markcic]

American Airlines allows up to 11 pounds of ammo, in a hard case box (cardboard, plastic, etc...) AND most importantly IT CANNOT BE IN THE SAME BAG AS YOUR GUN!

Ammo can go in the same bag as you gun. I just flew with 2 guns in separate cases and 2 boxes of ammo from Tucson to Dulles this week. I decleared at the American counter, the sent the bag to the back, and the TSA didn't search it (I have the indicator locks that tell you when the TSA opens them with their key).

[Classic_jon]

On the serious side,

I would not label it at all other than "fragile" and put it in something that does not look like a gun case.

Definitely go with "FRAGILE", baggage handlers the world over are known to respect this label and their honor code dictates that it is never to be taken as a challenge

Of course! To Baggage handlers Fra-Gi-Le is a french word meaning to shake vigorously and throw it against a wall several times.

[Pezco]

I fly Delta and always put my ammo in with my guns. TSA always checks everything and I've never had a problem, knock on wood!

[RobMoore]

try this

Edited May 11, 2010 by RobMoore

[bbbean]

try this

Hmmm, is labeling guns as musical instruments kind of like labeling your camera bag a jewelry box?

I try to never label any bag anything that is popular at pawn shops.

[CSEMARTIN]

AND most importantly IT CANNOT BE IN THE SAME BAG AS YOUR GUN!

I don't agree with this.

I recommend putting TSA locks on your gun case and all your luggage, they are cheap and TSA has the master key so they can open it without you being around ... most of the time.

Once you have declared your firearm(s), and the bag has been searched, locked and sent on its way to the plane, TSA is not allowed to open your gun bag until they have made a reasonable attempt to contact you so you can be physically present for any further inspection.

[Vlad]

I would try a "Fresh Animal Sperm, DO NOT FREEZE" label. I'd guess no one will want to break into it, and baggage handlers should be unwilling to treat it roughly out of fear of splashing.

[Tyro Shooter]

Having to travel with Firearms for work.

I have learned two lessons

#1: Having to fly out and do some training up state I found out the hard way to carry a few extra TSA locks in your gun case.

The friendly low IQ TSA gorilla Bent the living crap out of my TSA locks on my Pelican case.

They informed me that "NO lock . . . No flight"

I tried to reason that I did have approved locks and that the nice lady behind the ticket counter verified that I had to unlock the case to put in the little card.

"No lock . . . No flight"

So I missed my flight going to the other end of the airport to find a store that had TSA locks. GO back through the security dragnet.

And get to the destination 4 hours late.

That ok they made up for it,

Lesson #2: Keeps all of the important info concerning your Firearms(S/N#) and a digital photo of your Luggage /Pelican case on you. (Copy of FFL optional)

On the return flight they forgot to put my pelican case on the same plane as me.

I went to the Southwest lost luggage office and where they started to casually look for my case.

They told me to file a lost luggage report.

I told them as my name was on the FFL and these were company firearms I did not feel obligated to deal with them. And that I was going to step out side to call the ATF and report a theft from an FFL in the course of Company business, and then I was going to call the FBI and go home. . As the ATF & FBI knew where I lived and how to get a hold of me I thought I would be more comfortable filling out the theft reports at home. . And wished them good night. . . . They did shift into high gear looking for the case now. (This is where the photo of my Pelican case came in handy) I did call the ATF and they gave me the form to download & start filling out and told me to call in the morning.

I went back into the terminal and hid in the bar & 5 hours later my case arrived. . Intact and my company paid for the extra travel time and a $150.00 bar & dinner tab.

[FranDoc]

Any biological specimen ("live piranha", "hemorrhagic fever virus", "frozen pit viper sperm", etc) is subject to very specific packaging, labeling, handling and transportation requirements. Attempts to be "cute" may get your bag hauled off the conveyor, and you tied up for hours with humorless bureaucrats.

Hide in plain sight -- the old, beat up, LOCKING gym bag; get something non-descript at Goodwill; consider a pink "Hello Kitty" suitcase (looks like it belongs to some 10-year-old).

Remember that TSA WILL be inspecting the bag. What you want is something that the baggage handling system won't give a second look. Make it boring ....