Exactly, that's the whole point I'm pushing here. We are just looking for legal loopholes to get this special baggage treatment. I think legally you would have

Exactly, that's the whole point I'm pushing here. We are just looking for legal loopholes to get this special baggage treatment. I think legally you would have more success across the world with a long gun (rifle or shotgun). BUT that's a bigger item that's a PITA to pack. So the loophole here is you only need to transport the piece that has the serial number on it because that is legally the "gun" part. So for example the lower receiver of an AR with nothing attached to it is smaller than most pistols but that's the part that is considered a "rifle" to exercise this loophole.