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How Packing a Gun Protects Valuables From Airline Theft
mobileworker writes "If you don't like your bags being out of your sight and it makes you uncomfortable to think that airline workers are rifling through your stuff, you should read this article by Jason Fitzpatrick of Lifehacker who explains how you can take advantage of the TSA's own security rules by — eek — packing a gun. You can alternatively decide to have your luggage shipped to your destination by FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service ground shipping. It's cheaper than having them checked with the airline, and you can be sure that you'll have them delivered, and on time!"
That photo is from the Wikipedia entry for Mateba Autorevolver. It was uploaded by LoCo CNC on 02/06/2008
It is a Mateba Model 6 Unica. My guess from the picture is that it's a 6" .357 Magnum. You could probably print the the picture, along with the Wikipedia page, and take it to a local gun shop. They may have have one, but they seem a bit pricey. Gunbroker.com has This one for $2,900 starting bid, $4,600 buy it now price.
I already have a decent selection of pistols, so for the price, I'd probably go with a FN PS-90 or Colt AR15
For a throw away gun to trust the airlines with, I'd recommend something more like a Jennings J-22. They're cheap, common, horribly inaccurate, and prone to jamming. I can group the size of a quarter at 30' with my .45's, but with the Jennings I was lucky to get a grouping the size of a dinner plate. If it was lost, you wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting hurt, unless it fell from the plane and hit them in the head.
I have transported weapons on airlines, carefully following their rules, and verifying I was doing the right thing the whole way. "Hi, I'm checking in. I have to declare a weapon in my bag. It is unloaded and locked in its case." It got special (but polite) attention on the way out.
It wasn't until I got to LAX that I worried. There was absolutely no special treatment there. I snagged by bag from baggage claim and left without anyone verifying that it was mine.
It felt a bit funny walking around a major international airport with a gun (in the luggage).
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
Be aware that each airline has its own policies. This is the best guide I know of for this subject. You should of course be familiar with the baseline federal standard.
I support the Slashcott and will not be reading or commenting from 2/10/14 to 2/17/14. Beta is steaming pile of dog shit
I'm still trying to figure the math on "cheaper to ship".
I just checked UPS.com, and a 30-pound box would cost $38.86 to ship Ground (Brown) from Maine to Texas (just picking two states at random halfway across the country) and would be in transit for 5 days. And I have to drop it off at a UPS store or pay more for pickup.
If I wanted it shipped 3-days, the bag would cost $85.84.
And if I wanted it shipped overnight, it would cost me about half what the airfare itself would cost, over $211 (or $178 next afternoon).
Delta charges $23 if I check the bag in online for the first bag, and it can weigh up to 50 pounds. So I'm paying $15.86 extra, I have to make an extra stop at a UPS store, I have to package and label it in a cardboard box, it gets handled no less gently than the airlines do, there's a greater chance of it being lost, insurance is limited at $100 or I pay extra, and I lose access to my bag for 5 days.
Even if I got my luggage down to 20 pounds, that's still $5 more than checking it, with the same problems. And if I can get my luggage to 20 pounds, I'll put it in a carryon bag and take it with me on the plane (which is how I usually travel - I have a small rolling bag designed to fit in the overhead, and a backpack for my laptop that fits under the seat in front of me, and I can fit enough clothes and gear in that to last a week. With access to a laundry facility, which most hotels have, I have no practical limit on my trip duration with that setup).
Tell me again why I would want to ship my luggage rather than checking it?
"This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
That's about the way I heard it.
For those unaware of what he said, FOPA 86 has a "Safe Passage" provision on it, basically stating that if you're traveling from Point A to Point B, and somewhere along that route has a stricter gun law than the federal laws, you're safe as long as the weapon is unloaded and properly secured. Or more specifically, this. I used to keep a copy of this printed and locked away with my weapon(s) when transporting them, along with a copy of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Just because the law says it doesn't mean that they won't lock you up until you win in court. It's not worth a year or ten of your life, just to prove that you were right.
It's better to not get caught, and the best way to do that is to not do it in the first place. :)
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.