I doubt it, but sometimes counter agents will want to see that (your real firearm) is unloaded and stowed in the proper kind of case (hard-sided - I use a very

I doubt it, but sometimes counter agents will want to see that (your real firearm) is unloaded and stowed in the proper kind of case (hard-sided - I use a very large Pelican). More often than not, the TSA will want to hand-inspect firearm-containing baggage (with you present), and I couldn't say what they'd do if they didn't find the firearm in the bag they were breaking their routine to check. Just buy a flare gun or a starter pistol and declare it if you don't want to or can't use the real thing.