GA transportation of (personal) firearms and ammo

AffordablePlanesWhen

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CaptainSlower
Long time reader, first time poster. I don't have a plane at this time but am on a wait list for a local club (50+ deep) and been passively watching airplanes for sale for the last 6 months (hence the username which continues to go unanswered).

Anyway, one of my primary missions will be transporting some of my guns/ammo/toys between home in Ohio and friends' land in the South Carolina and Colorado. Assuming all non-aviation-related factors are taken into account for State-dependent lawful possession, what legal and safety factors arise with GA carriage of firearms and ammo? I'm interested in any travel tips, anecdotes, or horror stories you may have.

FWIW, I am talking 4-5 long guns, a handful of pistols, cleaning accessories and field tools, and 150 lbs of ammo on average for training and competition shoots.
 
I don’t think the average ga plane can handle nearly 200# in the back, so calculate your weight and balance!

As to the rest of it, I have no idea. Ammunition stability in an engine out scenario?
 
I think this is a great question and one I have wondered about myself. I think the key is that you meet the legalities of the states and fed laws as you would if transporting by car. It might cause extra scrutiny unloading your cargo at the airport as well.
 
Long time reader, first time poster. I don't have a plane at this time but am on a wait list for a local club (50+ deep) and been passively watching airplanes for sale for the last 6 months (hence the username which continues to go unanswered).

Anyway, one of my primary missions will be transporting some of my guns/ammo/toys between home in Ohio and friends' land in the South Carolina and Colorado. Assuming all non-aviation-related factors are taken into account for State-dependent lawful possession, what legal and safety factors arise with GA carriage of firearms and ammo? I'm interested in any travel tips, anecdotes, or horror stories you may have.

FWIW, I am talking 4-5 long guns, a handful of pistols, cleaning accessories and field tools, and 150 lbs of ammo on average for training and competition shoots.
What I have done with success is contact the FBO manager well in advance of the trip. If they will accept and hold an ammo order for you, purchase and ship the ammo direct to the FBO.
 
??

Be certain your possession is legal in any states you fly over and may land in due to weather or mechanical issues. Obviously, no loaded firearms except those on your body. Firearms with one in the tube are a fire hazard. The chambered round can cook off and unlike loose ammo which explodes "relatively" harmlessly one in the chamber becomes a projectile.
 
AOPA has covered this. If all of the concerned states have reciprocity then the transport of the firearms themselves may not be much of an issue, but you would want to contact the respective offices of each state and county to ensure no problems. This would include the airport managers, and for goodness sake, get EVERYTHING in writing (email is sufficient), print it out, and carry it all with you.

The ammo is probably going to be the biggest hurdle as that is considered HazMat and generally speaking must be shipped by ground.

 
Not sure how members of a club would feel with your mission. But your mission screams pa32
 
Make sure of legalities to possess and transport in States that you intend on flying over, not just to.

An emergency or precautionary landing in a non-compliant state is going to get additionally complicated when/if law-enforcement shows up. Maybe even worse, your in-flight decision making under duress may be further affected by the legal questions and you may be forced to make a bad decision.

Going from OH to CO has you flying over IL unless you detour N (big lake) or S (PIA, and I don’t mean Peoria). Decide wisely.
 
That AOPA article on GA firearms is just as bananas as much of their other silliness.

Oh Lordy… does anyone realize the amount of hunting and personal protection ammo carried on GA? There are a host of ATP type aircraft regulations, especially since guns and ammo must be brought through a public airport terminal.

Ammo is safe even in a crash situation if it is packed correctly, like cartridges packed flat and in a box or plastic reloaders box. Also in a an ammo can is good idea. Others will have more ideas, but pack it correctly as intended and ammo is safe knock around without incident.
 
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As someone who’s actually done this, plan where and how you’re going to secure the various cases/containers, especially long gun cases. Ammunition concentrates weight in a small area, so it’s better to spread it across as much real estate as possible…think 1 layer of 20/50rd boxes.

Shotgun slugs are heaviest at about 10 shells per pound; for 9mm/5.56, 150lbs of ammo is about 3000 rounds, which is hard to shoot thru in a weekend match, so I expect you probably aren’t hauling that much weight in ammo. A .50 ammo can of 5.56 is about 1200 rds and weighs about 35lbs. Maybe OP meant 150 total pounds of cargo, but that’s still a lot of firearms and ammunition.

So long as you avoid airports that have a TSA presence and the firearms and accessories are legal to possess it’s a nothing burger, especially at an uncontrolled field where you can pull a car right up to the plane to load/unload.

If you’ve gotta haul stuff thru a building to a parking lot, that’s usually nothing more than an inconvenience, but call ahead and see if they have any particular procedures.
 
What I have done with success is contact the FBO manager well in advance of the trip. If they will accept and hold an ammo order for you, purchase and ship the ammo direct to the FBO.
This certainly isn't a bad idea with a twist - just have ammo delivered to friends' houses as a weight saving solution.

Obviously, no loaded firearms except those on your body. Firearms with one in the tube are a fire hazard. The chambered round can cook off and unlike loose ammo which explodes "relatively" harmlessly one in the chamber becomes a projectile.
I won't be carrying any loaded firearms. I travel now with everything in hard Plano or similar cases or soft padded "tacticool" gun bags. Ammo is loaded in mags carried in plastic or steel ammo cans or unopened OEM boxes.

The ammo is probably going to be the biggest hurdle as that is considered HazMat and generally speaking must be shipped by ground.
I'm fairly certain that if I was shipping ammunition the HAZMAT thing would be at issue but transporting it with my person and on a personal vehicle, that just so happens to be airborne, I don't think is a legal concern - but I may be wrong hence looking into it all.

Not sure how members of a club would feel with your mission. But your mission screams pa32
PA32 is on my short list of desired aircraft. A36 Bo as well (much less likely given their pricing). As far as the club goes - not sure yet. They have late 90s through early 00s 182s and a 206 which could be candidates but I have no bylaws or agreements to read yet - I joined the very long waitlist on the spot a few months ago at a local meet and great having never heard of them before. Sounds like I have atleast a year before I'll be offered a membership position and can figure this out by attending an open meeting in the mean time and asking.


As someone who’s actually done this, plan where and how you’re going to secure the various cases/containers, especially long gun cases. Ammunition concentrates weight in a small area, so it’s better to spread it across as much real estate as possible…think 1 layer of 20/50rd boxes.

Shotgun slugs are heaviest at about 10 shells per pound; for 9mm/5.56, 150lbs of ammo is about 3000 rounds, which is hard to shoot thru in a weekend match, so I expect you probably aren’t hauling that much weight in ammo. A .50 ammo can of 5.56 is about 1200 rds and weighs about 35lbs. Maybe OP meant 150 total pounds of cargo, but that’s still a lot of firearms and ammunition.

So long as you avoid airports that have a TSA presence and the firearms and accessories are legal to possess it’s a nothing burger, especially at an uncontrolled field where you can pull a car right up to the plane to load/unload.

If you’ve gotta haul stuff thru a building to a parking lot, that’s usually nothing more than an inconvenience, but call ahead and see if they have any particular procedures.
Yes you hit the nail on the head. I was mistaken in my first post. I figured roughly 150 lbs for the firearms, ammo, and cleaning/maintenance supplies I'd bring along. I have the plastic Plano ammo cans that fit 18 fully loaded PMags in them so that's roughly 20 lbs, another 200 rounds (10 lbs) of 6.5CM. 250 rounds of 230gr .45 and another 250 of 125gr 9mm adds up to another 30ish lbs between loaded mags in foam-insert ammo cans + 50-round retail boxes. Another 35ish lbs for guns (Ruger Precision Rifle being most of that), 50 lbs of equipment, clothes, personal items, etc. and my 220 lb butt. Spreading this out and securing it all to the floor in something like a 206, PA32, or similar is something I may want some tips on.



As for all of the comments above aout transporting through various states, i.e. gun-unfriendly-Illinois, my (albeit limited) understanding of 18 USC 962A seems to indicate that it is Federally protected to cross state lines with firearms and ammo provided they are lawful in the origination and destinations sates while in your vehicle and secured appropriately (gun cases, reasonably out of reach, another compartment if able, etc.). Even an overflight of Illinois and a diversion to a major airport with TSA on-scene should be entirely legal and perhaps some explanations as to the rules but ultimately safe passage should be awarded.

But then again, I am not a lawyer; I only fly airplanes and I want to protect myself from hassle and legality as much as possible while still enjoying the much faster mode of transport available to me because the drives are suuuuuuuuuch a draaaaaaaaaaag.
 
You are allowed to transport your firearm so long as it's legal to possess in your home state and your destination state. Generally speaking, if it's unloaded and in a locked case you're good to go. See: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A

The only concern is if you have an emergency landing in a gun unfriendly state at a large airport. Or maybe a military base :oops:. I'd like to think you'd still be protected, but some police departments have been known to "hold" guns indefinitely.

I'm not aware of any restrictions on carrying ammo in a part 91 operation. Very few state bans on ammunition either with the exception of .50BMG. I assume that would fall under the protection of the FOPA above, but you might be a test case.

Personally I would have zero concerns assuming your not going to large, TSA controlled airports. As others have mentioned, maybe phoning the destination FBO to make sure they aren't going to give you any grief.
 
From NRA-ILA regarding interstate transport where the individual was wrongly arrested:

“Each of these gun owners filed a civil rights suit in federal court. In each case, however, the courts interpreted the law to deprive travelers who comply with its provisions of any effective remedy after they’ve been arrested or detained by police for violation of state or local law. Many other cases have resulted in guilty pleas to reduced charges, civil penalties, and delayed travel in situations where FOPA should have provided protection.”

Source: https://www.nraila.org/get-the-facts/firearm-transportation/

Just because we think it’s legal and if actually is doesn’t mean you’re not going to pay a price. I would worry about unplanned landing in Illinois and not much else.

Safety-wise you’re fine.

Have fun.
 
… As for all of the comments above aout transporting through various states, i.e. gun-unfriendly-Illinois, my (albeit limited) understanding of 18 USC 962A seems to indicate that it is Federally protected to cross state lines with firearms and ammo provided they are lawful in the origination and destinations sates while in your vehicle and secured appropriately (gun cases, reasonably out of reach, another compartment if able, etc.). Even an overflight of Illinois and a diversion to a major airport with TSA on-scene should be entirely legal and perhaps some explanations as to the rules but ultimately safe passage should be awarded….
Overflight isn’t an issue; diverting or a fuel stop can be because you just landed at a destination.

Also, I seem to recall CO has a 15 round limit for magazines, but there’s some exceptions and I haven’t lived there since 2016, so I haven’t followed all the ins and outs.
 
This reminds me of a bit of a comical/semi-serious event that touches all of the above.

My son was overseas on an extended sightseeing tour courtesy of Uncle Sam when his grandfather passed so when he was home for a visit I rented a plane from the flight school I had my training and we flew from the local class C to a small GA airport close to the family farm. Incidentally, that is about a 4-hour drive one-way.

His uncle (my BIL) had several long guns and a pistol, which had been left to my son, along with a significant amount of ammo applicable to the aforementioned platforms that he wanted out of the house. We loaded these into the back seat of a 172 and took off about 5pm in early November, which would put us on the ground shortly after sunset.

As we approached the class C space and I began to think about the procedures for the return it dawned on me that we would be going through Signature Flight Services lobby and walking past some staff, which could be a problematic. We started talking about how to handle things and decided the boxes, as well as the loose ammo would easily fit in the carry cooler taken along that morning for a couple of water bottles. We had each taken a slightly heavy jacket which we decided could be loosely folded over the long guns, and, if carried properly, allow them to hang down without being seen to the casual observer. The last thing we decided was that he would enter slightly behind me, and to my left away from the view of the desk staff, then exit quickly through the parking lot door on the left a few steps away.

As we taxied up I decided to park at the far end of the ramp away from a view at the door and allowing us to get unloaded without being closely watched. This gave us ample opportunity to adjust our carry loads, for instance that cooler bag was significantly heavy now. He crossed behind me as the sliding doors opened and passed across the lobby quickly as I carried the cooler and the flight bags out walking now behind him.

A few minutes later we were laughing at the thoughts of all of the possibilities. We still chuckle about that today.

Let me add this clarification - I in now way condone flagrant violation of laws or regulations and recommend gathering all the necessary information needed to make appropriate plans in advance of future planned transportation events.
 
I am pretty confident that if you land at my airport or any of the nearby small town rural airports in IL nobody is going to care. Same for most small airports in other states really.

What I'd be most worried about is landing in a more urban area airport and having someone behind the counter who doesn't know the law call the police... and then potentially dealing with police who also may not know the law. We all know how people have incorrect ideas about what's illegal around planes/airports.... same thing goes for guns and if you mix those things I just feel like it's a recipe for someone to initiate a flustercluck.

What I would do is pack such that the guns aren't easily visible in the plane, then pull my vehicle directly up to the plane in a way that obscures anyone's view and transfer stuff over discreetly. No reason why anyone but you needs to know it's there and if they don't know about it they can't cause any trouble over it.
 
Just because we think it’s legal and if actually is doesn’t mean you’re not going to pay a price. I would worry about unplanned landing in Illinois and not much else.

A sad state of affairs, but it is the reality. That goes outside of the topics at question. I watch many of the police body cam videos and breakdowns and court cases where both sides can be incredibly inept.

Overflight isn’t an issue; diverting or a fuel stop can be because you just landed at a destination.

Also, I seem to recall CO has a 15 round limit for magazines, but there’s some exceptions and I haven’t lived there since 2016, so I haven’t followed all the ins and outs.

CO has a grandfather clause for magazines owned/possessed before July 1, 2013. I haven't had any issues driving out there over the years with this and can prove that of the 20 or so I bring with me (including large frame pistols) are all purchased before this date if ever questioned.

How it works for automobiles when traveling across unfriendly states is as long as you are following 18 USC 962A, leave the firearms in the car, it is legal. I.e. you stop at a gas station, rest area, or lunch. As long as the property is secured in your vehicle, it is Federally protected (but convincing someone of that is another issue). I see no reason why the same would not apply to aircraft. The Federal statues only refers to vehicles, not just Earth-bound vehicles.such

I should also clarify, I am not tempting legal issues with Section 962B which has to do with concealed carry across state lines (and reciprocity and whatnot). I know where I can and can not carry once at my destinations or, when driving, in between at stops.

This reminds me of a bit of a comical/semi-serious event that touches all of the above.

My son was overseas on an extended sightseeing tour courtesy of Uncle Sam when his grandfather passed so when he was home for a visit I rented a plane from the flight school I had my training and we flew from the local class C to a small GA airport close to the family farm. Incidentally, that is about a 4-hour drive one-way.

His uncle (my BIL) had several long guns and a pistol, which had been left to my son, along with a significant amount of ammo applicable to the aforementioned platforms that he wanted out of the house. We loaded these into the back seat of a 172 and took off about 5pm in early November, which would put us on the ground shortly after sunset.

As we approached the class C space and I began to think about the procedures for the return it dawned on me that we would be going through Signature Flight Services lobby and walking past some staff, which could be a problematic. We started talking about how to handle things and decided the boxes, as well as the loose ammo would easily fit in the carry cooler taken along that morning for a couple of water bottles. We had each taken a slightly heavy jacket which we decided could be loosely folded over the long guns, and, if carried properly, allow them to hang down without being seen to the casual observer. The last thing we decided was that he would enter slightly behind me, and to my left away from the view of the desk staff, then exit quickly through the parking lot door on the left a few steps away.

As we taxied up I decided to park at the far end of the ramp away from a view at the door and allowing us to get unloaded without being closely watched. This gave us ample opportunity to adjust our carry loads, for instance that cooler bag was significantly heavy now. He crossed behind me as the sliding doors opened and passed across the lobby quickly as I carried the cooler and the flight bags out walking now behind him.

A few minutes later we were laughing at the thoughts of all of the possibilities. We still chuckle about that today.

Let me add this clarification - I in now way condone flagrant violation of laws or regulations and recommend gathering all the necessary information needed to make appropriate plans in advance of future planned transportation events.

I vaguely remember the last time I researched this topic (10+ years ago as a college grad CFI) that it came down to if the FBO buildings were government owned or not (i.e. county government, state government) and the State's individual rules on firearms in government owned buildings. This is where asking the FBO manager ahead of time for getting a vehicle on the ramp and using a gate is legally necessary. I'm sure a small rural airport would make this part of the process trivial.

FWIW, the airports on my radar for travel are KAKH Gastonia, SC and KBDU Boulder, CO. Both have friends or family within 20 minutes.
 
As for all of the comments above aout transporting through various states, i.e. gun-unfriendly-Illinois, my (albeit limited) understanding of 18 USC 962A seems to indicate that it is Federally protected to cross state lines with firearms and ammo provided they are lawful in the origination and destinations sates while in your vehicle and secured appropriately (gun cases, reasonably out of reach, another compartment if able, etc.). Even an overflight of Illinois and a diversion to a major airport with TSA on-scene should be entirely legal and perhaps some explanations as to the rules but ultimately safe passage should be awarded.
I'll state up front, I've not transported firearms by GA. When I was actively competing, I did transport quite a bit by commercial airlines, and I recently made a cross-country move which may be instructive.

One is often protected by Federal law when moving firearms that are otherwise legal between two states where you can legally posses them. NY famously ignores the Firearms Owners Protection Act, and may arrest gun owners and confiscate firearms found being transported between residences. There have been threads on this board about it happening at the NYC airports, but in speaking with a NY firearms attorney he confirmed it has also happened to people driving through the state on an interstate move.

I had to research this early in 2024 as I was planning my own move from NJ to Idaho. I knew up front I'd need to rent a trailer to move the firearms, ammunition, and reloading components, plus a host of other things that movers won't take: any liquids, fire extinguishers, etc. Most bizarre: two big-name moving companies wouldn't take SCUBA tanks unless they had an official certification that they were empty. I noted that I'd removed the valves. Didn't matter, needed certification. I pointed out you could drop marbles in the tanks, you could look inside with a flashlight and see the bottom, you could poke a stick through the neck and into the tank. Didn't matter, no official certification that the tank was empty, no move. And neither company had any idea who would provide such a certification. But I digress...

Anyway, I knew I'd be towing a U-haul trailer for 2700 miles--not through NY, fortunately--so I had to do some research first. Most of the states on the route were either gun-friendly or at least gun-agnostic. Only NJ and IL are openly hostile, and I already knew NJ law pretty well. So I consulted an IL firearms attorney, who enthusiastically backed my plan to not take the direct route around Chicago. Stay out of northern Illinois entirely, he advised, they'll prosecute, and it would be a long, expensive, and not necessarily successful battle to prove that Federal law was on your side. He allowed that driving across the middle of the state was less likely to be problematic...law enforcement tended to me more reasonable and less political there...but if I chose to do so, do it non-stop. No overnight, no fuel or food or restroom stops until safely out of the state. Driving around the southern tip of Illinois would be the safer option.

So if you are avoiding airports with a TSA secure zone that you might find yourself in after an emergency landing, and if you are flying over most any of the states, I'd say it can be done without issue. Flying over NY, NJ, MA, IL, CA, WA, OR would be cause for concern, especially if you were to find yourself on the ground in any county containing one of the main urban areas. Law enforcement in the more rural parts of those states tends to be more reasonable, but it can depend a lot on the particular officer with whom you may be interacting.

Good luck.
 
Just to add to the 'fun' here in IL, there are some state gun laws that almost every county level sheriff's department announced they would not enforce. So depending on which county and which agency you happen to interact with, enforcement may be completely different.
 
... Most bizarre: two big-name moving companies wouldn't take SCUBA tanks unless they had an official certification that they were empty. I noted that I'd removed the valves. Didn't matter, needed certification. I pointed out you could drop marbles in the tanks, you could look inside with a flashlight and see the bottom, you could poke a stick through the neck and into the tank. Didn't matter, no official certification that the tank was empty, no move. And neither company had any idea who would provide such a certification. But I digress...

That almost should be posted in the humor thread. Definitely made me laugh...
 
You are allowed to transport your firearm so long as it's legal to possess in your home state and your destination state. Generally speaking, if it's unloaded and in a locked case you're good to go. See: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/926A

The only concern is if you have an emergency landing in a gun unfriendly state at a large airport. Or maybe a military base :oops:. I'd like to think you'd still be protected, but some police departments have been known to "hold" guns indefinitely.
FOPA is an affirmative defense. So you could be arrested, but it would be a compelling argument at your trial.

The only state that seems to get hard core is New Jersey. They have arrested people who were transiting Newark, but ended up having to claim their bags and stay over. They knew of the firearms, waited until the person touched their gun case and arrested them. AFAIK, they were all acquitted at trial.
 
I’d probably get a concealed carry license and check the reciprocity agreements online. I have yet to run into someone who checked my airplane or baggage. Although people are afraid of weapons, so I would do it discretely. Weapon cases can look similar to camera equipment cases, so you could choose something that is more vague on its contents. Maybe add a couple camera video stickers on the case as well.
 
I’d probably get a concealed carry license and check the reciprocity agreements online. I have yet to run into someone who checked my airplane or baggage. Although people are afraid of weapons, so I would do it discretely. Weapon cases can look similar to camera equipment cases, so you could choose something that is more vague on its contents. Maybe add a couple camera video stickers on the case as well.
A concealed carry permit is a way to call attention to your some states. They put the fact that you have one in the online records and many states make it a condition of reciprocity to require that information be shared. Couple of high profile cases in MD where those who had permits but didn't even have guns with them were stopped and harassed by the Maryland law enforcement.

It's about as useful of a field in the online data as race. It invites abuse.
 
A concealed carry permit is a way to call attention to your some states. They put the fact that you have one in the online records and many states make it a condition of reciprocity to require that information be shared. Couple of high profile cases in MD where those who had permits but didn't even have guns with them were stopped and harassed by the Maryland law enforcement.

It's about as useful of a field in the online data as race. It invites abuse.
Yikes! I guess all vehicles now need to be in company names to avoid this?
 
Weapon cases can look similar to camera equipment cases, so you could choose something that is more vague on its contents. Maybe add a couple camera video stickers on the case as well.
Fine if the case is never out of your direct control, but otherwise camera/video stickers would make it a more attractive target for theft. I'd go with some type of a case that doesn't look like a gun case, and leave off any labels that would hint at contents.
 
I always liked the idea of using diaper bags for handguns and equipment.

WHO would steal a diaper bag????? :D :D
 
I always liked the idea of using diaper bags for handguns and equipment.

WHO would steal a diaper bag????? :D :D

it dep... er.... you haven't heard that people were hoarding diapers and formula?
 
Disassemble and pack into regular luggage if you want externally discrete.
 
Long time reader, first time poster. I don't have a plane at this time but am on a wait list for a local club (50+ deep) and been passively watching airplanes for sale for the last 6 months (hence the username which continues to go unanswered).

Anyway, one of my primary missions will be transporting some of my guns/ammo/toys between home in Ohio and friends' land in the South Carolina and Colorado. Assuming all non-aviation-related factors are taken into account for State-dependent lawful possession, what legal and safety factors arise with GA carriage of firearms and ammo? I'm interested in any travel tips, anecdotes, or horror stories you may have.

FWIW, I am talking 4-5 long guns, a handful of pistols, cleaning accessories and field tools, and 150 lbs of ammo on average for training and competition shoots.
Treat them just like the full sized tube of toothpaste and water bottles you bring aboard. Draconian TSA rules do not apply to Part 91.
 
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