Pack a Gun to Protect Valuables from Airline Theft or Loss
 

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a...-theft-or-loss

"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 can take advantage of the TSA's own security rules by�eek�packing a gun.

Most of the time, travelers are on the short-end of TSA regulations. In this instance, however, you can use travel rules to your advantage. If you're traveling with equipment you would prefer locked up and watched more closely than your run of the mill luggage, you can pack a firearm with the equipment or luggage. Whether or not you own an actual firearm isn't important�the TSA considers a starter pistol a firearm, and it must be checked in and secured properly. Bruce Shneier, on his security and privacy centered blog, highlights how some creative professional photographers have been using this rule to their advantage. One of the photographers writes:

A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.

I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.

That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever.

You can pick up a super basic starter pistol for around $16-20�really nice starter pistols can easily cost $100-200, but you're not concerned about the quality�a rather small sum to ensure that your case of photography equipment or personal effects will be watched more carefully and only opened in your presence."

Re: Pack a Gun to Protect Valuables from Airline Theft or Loss
 

Though this did work for some time, unfortunately it is not SOP anymore.

With TSA trying to "randomize" everything, the last several times I flew carrying a weapon the used different measures to clear it, even sending it down ignoring that lock rule.

I lodged formal complaints (about 9 months ago) and they said (no joke) that firearms on airplanes were being cleared and dealt with at the descresion of the airport.

I had showed up at the airport gun case unlocked, rifle unloaded and claimed it like I had to legally. I had the keys in my hand (to the case) prepared to lock after a TSA visual as per the rules. I waited 30 minutes for a TSA guy to show up only to say he didn't want to see it, lock it up and send it down and if someone has a problem they'll get in touch with me.

Aside from researching me through the flight manifesto and then having me pulled aside during boarding to inform me of a problem, how would that have worked?

How would they have handled my non-TSA locks on the gun case when they decided it needed to be opened? You KNOW they'd have cracked it right open, and now ANYONE in that secured area would have anonymous easy access to a firearm.

Really smart.