Do guns get stolen from checked luggage?

The Southwest Airlines passenger had said his pistol was taken from his luggage. Officials say they then identified seven reports of guns stolen out of checked luggage traveling though Lambert Airport on Southwest Airlines flights between March 28, 2020 to Aug. 22, 2020.



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You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted.

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Lock Checked Luggage Some suitcases come with locks pre-installed that require a combination in order to open the bag. If your suitcase does not have this, you can invest in a TSA-approved luggage lock to keep your valueables safe.

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Here's what the TSA says about transporting guns and ammo, in a nutshell: Your firearm must be packed and unloaded in locked, hard-sided pistol cases in your checked baggage. Never attempt to carry on a firearm.

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The TSA says that passengers claiming to forget they even have a gun is the most common explanation and is frequently accepted by the police.

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In the United States, there is no limit to the number of firearms that a passenger can transport in checked baggage on a commercial flight. However, each firearm must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container that is specifically designed for transporting firearms.

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According to the Department of Transportation, luggage theft is a common problem. U.S. airlines reported more than three mishandled bags for every thousand in March. More than 1 million bags were stolen in 2018. It resulted in $1.2 billion in missing valuables.

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If you're not packing any valuable items in your checked bag, you don't necessarily need a lock. All bags will go through security screening, and you'll know if your bag has been physically opened if you find a notice inside your bag or if your non-TSA-approved lock is missing.

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If your bag is unlocked, then our officer will simply open and screen the baggage if any item alarms. However, if you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open it through other means, then the locks may have to be cut. For soft-sided baggage, this process will not damage your zippers or zipper pulls.

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