Flying with a firearm doesn’t have to be complicated. In this installment of my Flying with Guns series, I traveled from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), checking my firearm in a Pelican V100 case packed inside a larger piece of luggage.

The process at the MSY ticket counter was quick and straightforward. I declared the firearm to the airline agent, opened the suitcase, and showed the locked Pelican case. They had me sign and place the declaration card as usual.

The bag arrived in Las Vegas without any issues. No delays. No special calls from TSA. Just a smooth flight and an uneventful baggage claim pickup.

A Few Quick Reminders for Traveling with Firearms

• Always declare your firearm at the airline counter when checking in. I like to use the verbiage, “I’m declaring firearms.”
• Use a hard-sided, lockable case like a Pelican.
• Make sure the firearms are unloaded and keep ammo stored according to airline and TSA regulations.
• Keep your keys or combination with you—no one else should have access to that case.
• Build in extra time in case TSA does want to inspect the case after check-in.

Even when everything goes smoothly, following the correct procedure every time keeps you covered and avoids unnecessary headaches.

This was another easy, no-drama flight with a gun. If you’re new to flying with firearms, check out our full guide to flying with guns for a detailed walkthrough.