Firearms

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. Read about civil penalties for prohibited items.

For items not listed here, our AskTSA team looks forward to answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am - 6 pm (ET).

X: @AskTSA
Facebook Messenger: www.fb.com/AskTSA
Apple Business Chat: AskTSA
Text Message: Text "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872)

Item	Carry on bags	Checked bags
Parts of Guns and Firearms Firearm parts, including frames, receivers, magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on, but may be transported in checked bags. Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags. Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms. When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international government.	No	Yes (Special Instructions)
Pellet Guns Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags. Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms. When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international government.	No	Yes (Special Instructions)
Realistic Replicas of Firearms Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms.	No	Yes
Rifle Scope (Scope Only) Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read the guidelines. Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply.	Yes	Yes
Rifles Firearms carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags. Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms. When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international government.	No	Yes (Special Instructions)
Rocket Launcher	No	No
Shell Casings Empty shell casings are allowed in carry-on bag as long as the projectile is no longer intact. They are allowed only if the primer has been removed or has been discharged. If the projectile is attached & the powder has been drilled out, it is considered a replica and not allowed in carry-on.	Yes (Special Instructions)	Yes
Starter Pistols Starter pistols carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Check with your airline to see if they allow firearms in checked bags. Read the guidelines for traveling with firearms. When traveling, be sure to comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international government.	No	Yes (Special Instructions)

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Officers may ask you to power up your electronic device, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. TSA does not read or copy information from your device.