Know before you go: Traveling with firearms

As air travel ramps up this summer, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) are seeing an undesirable travel trend: firearms making it to security checkpoints.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the authority on traveling with firearms and ammunition, with many regulations in place to allow for the safe and secure transport of these items. AUS is dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of its staff and passengers and is here to bring you information on how to properly pack and travel with a firearm per TSA regulations.

Even before arriving at AUS, passengers intending to travel with a firearm or ammunition must be in compliance with TSA requirements. Those who are not in compliance are subject to fines, penalties and potential arrest. They also seriously delay operations at AUS. Save yourself the delays, fines, and penalties by reading the TSA regulations on traveling with firearms and ammunition before arriving at AUS.

Take the time to review all of their regulations, and note a few key ones:

• Before traveling with a firearm, make sure to check and comply with local, state, and international laws regarding possession of firearms.
• Firearms must be unloaded and sealed in a TSA-approved hard-sided case with a lock.
  • Don’t assume the original case of the firearm is up to TSA standards! Check first.
• Firearms must be declared and checked at the airline ticket counter. Do not pack them in your carry-on or attempt to bring them through TSA security checkpoints.
• Traveling with ammunition has its own set of TSA rules and requirements – be sure to read the guidelines on traveling with ammunition.

Learn about traveling with firearms or ammunition by reading the TSA regulations. Thank you for knowing the rules and doing your part to ensure a safe and comfortable AUS for all travelers.