Post by 2nd Bat on Aug 20, 2014 17:23:57 GMT -5
This question frequently comes up when big national airsoft events are being held. Here is your answer:
You absolutely can bring your airsoft guns. Several of us from the Northwest have flown all around the country for assorted large scale airsoft events and I have never had ANY issues flying with airsoft guns. There are some specific rules you must follow which are mostly common sense. You obviously can't bring them as carryon and have to check them. they must be in a lockable gun case and you must use a TSA lock which they can remove and relock should an inspection be done (it always is!). You treat them like actual firearms and declare them at the ticket counter where you recieve a disclaimer form which you put in the case. I always put a large note stating that they are Airsoft Toys. They must be unloaded with the battery detached. Obviously items like simulated explosives, grenades etc should never be shipped even in checked luggage.
My guns do not have orange tips as this is simply a requirement for importation into the US although state law here may vary. The gun cases arrive at a seperate carousel usually with oversized items. Dozens of trips with airsoft guns although we frequently ship gear seperately to a trusted friend near the event to avoid lugging them to and from the airport. Oddly enough bags of BBs and speed loaders with BBs are the only thing I have ever had confiscated when I inadvertantly left some in my carryon bags. The large batteries and BB bags look quite omminous to the TSA X Ray machines.
There is always a great deal of interest in our luggage (especially when lots of us are flying together) and it always a good idea to leave yourself a little extra time but never any issues.
You absolutely can bring your airsoft guns. Several of us from the Northwest have flown all around the country for assorted large scale airsoft events and I have never had ANY issues flying with airsoft guns. There are some specific rules you must follow which are mostly common sense. You obviously can't bring them as carryon and have to check them. they must be in a lockable gun case and you must use a TSA lock which they can remove and relock should an inspection be done (it always is!). You treat them like actual firearms and declare them at the ticket counter where you recieve a disclaimer form which you put in the case. I always put a large note stating that they are Airsoft Toys. They must be unloaded with the battery detached. Obviously items like simulated explosives, grenades etc should never be shipped even in checked luggage.
My guns do not have orange tips as this is simply a requirement for importation into the US although state law here may vary. The gun cases arrive at a seperate carousel usually with oversized items. Dozens of trips with airsoft guns although we frequently ship gear seperately to a trusted friend near the event to avoid lugging them to and from the airport. Oddly enough bags of BBs and speed loaders with BBs are the only thing I have ever had confiscated when I inadvertantly left some in my carryon bags. The large batteries and BB bags look quite omminous to the TSA X Ray machines.
There is always a great deal of interest in our luggage (especially when lots of us are flying together) and it always a good idea to leave yourself a little extra time but never any issues.