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Just a reminder that if you want to prevent theft from checked luggage on domestic flights in the USA, check a firearm in your luggage. TSA tracks those bags v
by gumby 3y ago
Just a reminder that if you want to prevent theft from checked luggage on domestic flights in the USA, check a firearm in your luggage. TSA tracks those bags very carefully and they won't steal from them (or let anyone else do so either).
Learned this from a musician friend and have since learned it's SOP for people who have to check expensive gear (photographers etc).
- neilv 3y agoFor the firearms-averse, this I've heard can be a flare gun or starter pistol, and I'm not sure it has to be a functioning one.
- ed25519FUUU 3y agoOr A small box of .22 ammunition blanks.
- cypherpunks01 3y agoThat's a good trick, but if it's a real firearm, you need to pay close attention to firearm laws at your destination. You don't want to fly into NYC with a firearm that's not registered in NY state, for example, people are slapped with felony charges for this on a regular basis without having any idea they were committing a crime.
- kavavita 3y agoA starter gun will also do the trick.
- appleflaxen 3y agoas will an empty gun used to fire signal flares
- brendoelfrendo 3y agoThis may have been true at one point, but current TSA rules indicate that flare guns are not allowed through security, even in checked bags: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/flare-guns https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/... Note that this is separate from the flares themselves, which are also not allowed.
- wildzzz 3y agoProbably because too many people have accidentally packed loaded flare guns on the plane. A loaded gun is only dangerous if someone uses it. A flare gun probably doesn't have much in terms of safeties so it has a better chance of going off and starting a fire. A single bullet isn't going to do nearly as much damage if the gun somehow went off on its own.
- gumby 3y agoYou have to show the check in counter that the gun has no bullets in it. So I don’t understand how you could accidentally pack a loaded one.
- justinclift 3y ago"Mistakes were made" :/
- delfinom 3y agoTSA got upset their low level employees couldn't be subsidized by stealing from bags with flare guns checked in them (which were the easiest to obtain compared to a gun)
- bootlooped 3y agoI believe starter pistols are also regulated in New York City.
- koolba 3y agoI think you get the same effect by just transporting ammunition which tends to have less inane^Wstringrent laws.
- arielweisberg 3y agoWhere possessing a firearm is illegal the ammunition is also frequently illegal to possess.
- koolba 3y agoI’m not aware of any State that all ammunition alone is illegal. Some States do have specific laws banning possession or transport of handgun ammunition or hollow points, but none that would apply to a box of 12-gauge shells or .22 rounds.
- TedDoesntTalk 3y ago> Where possessing a firearm is illegal In which US jurisdiction is possessing a firearm illegal?
- arielweisberg 3y agoMA and NY both require a license to possess any kind of smokeless powder firearm. MA allows black powder without a license and I am not going to guess what NY allows.
- elguyosupremo 3y agoNew York State does not require permits for long guns, NYC has more stringent licensing though.
- arielweisberg 3y agoShould have spent more time researching!
- NickNameNick 3y agoThis approach can be a little problematic. I'm particular, communications between the airline and tsa aren't all that reliable. See for example: https://youtu.be/l0IwVrC56tc https://youtu.be/l0IwVrC56tc
- midoridensha 3y agoMaybe you could use a plastic (toy) gun. Is there some kind of penalty for declaring a firearm, and then it not being real? Of course, if this becomes a big trend, it could cause real problems if 50% of the flying public carries a toy gun in their luggage just to prevent thefts by airport employees.
- gumby 3y agoYou have to show it, and show that it is rendered safe, to the check in agent who takes your bag.
- notyourwork 3y agoIt depends, I’ve checked firearms and had various levels of thoroughness in the inspection.
- Simulacra 3y agoThis is really bad advice and can lead to unforeseen consequences. How about leave the guns at home and put a lock on the luggage, or put the marijuana in the checked baggage?
- notyourwork 3y agoLocks have to be TSA approved, your advice won’t add any protection to luggage. Edit: there must be a comprehension problem. Op suggested to use a lock, TSA locks are not helpful for luggage without a firearm. Traveling with a firearm and using a non-TSA approved lock is suggested and the right approach. Never did I say use a tsa lock with a firearm.
- geoduck14 3y ago>Locks have to be TSA approved, your advice won’t add any protection to luggage. Allow me to repeat that to people that are unfamiliar with the TSA. Your locks on your luggage have to be approved by the TSA -so they can break into your luggage
- notyourwork 3y agoYou missed my point.
- randombits0 3y agoNegative, eager, young space cadet! TSA locks are expressly forbidden on gun cases. You must use your own, non-TSA lock.
- monksy 3y agoYou're suggesting checking a firearm with weed in the same bag. Are you out of your mind?!
- colordrops 3y agoNo, they are suggesting checking in a firearm with anything that you absolutely do not want stolen.
- gliixo 3y agoFun fact: A BB gun falls under this as well. Which means you can literally buy a $50 bb pistol in order to secure valuables in your luggage. I did exactly this when checking a lot of expensive equipment. You get your bags brought out to you at baggage claim too! Got a lot of dirty looks lol
- methou 3y agoEdit: the link I remember seeing one of these DefCons[0] mentioned that you can use a gun part as well. Like a buustock would do the trick. [0]: https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2017/DEF%20CON%2017%20presentations/DEF%20CON%2017%20-%20deviant_ollam-transporting_firearms.pdf https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2017/DEF%20CON%2017%20pre...
- rainbowzootsuit 3y agoPacking in the friendly skies DEFCON 17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfqtYfaILHw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfqtYfaILHw But I would probably also want a lawyer on retainer if venturing into the minefield of the Northeast USA.