Has anyone ever gone thru security with a AR lower?

Does the TSA permit one to carry a lower in carry on baggage?  

Anyone have any experience with this?  I am going to be flying and I won't be checking my bag.  I want to pack a lower in my carry on.

Suggestions?

Eh.  My post was too long and complicated.



Short version - it would be illegal to carry on.  Put it in checked luggage, or ship it to yourself (USPS/UPS/FedEx) whereever you are going.  


(Shipping across state line without going through an FFL is perfectly legal if you are shipping to yourself.)

What are you, crazy?  The lower is the registered part of the firearm and no way can you carry it on.  Hell, up until a couple of weeks ago you couldn't have a screwdriver bit in your briefcase.

Methinks the "lower" is considered by the ATF as the "firearm", therefore, it stands to reason that the lower must be cased as per the airlines' policy for firearms. Even stripped, it's still a "firearm".


That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.


For now.

At one time I had a list of GO/NO GO items and any firearm part is not allowed in your carryon. You let enough people carry a part into the secure area and eventually you could have a whole gun there.

Try it, and post your results! It'll be good reading!

No.....

TSA link

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition

Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts may only be transported in checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers (LEOs) who are authorized to fly armed by meeting the requirements of 49 CFR § 1544.219.

Following is a summary of key regulatory requirements to transport firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage:

All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process.  
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
It is preferred that the passenger provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the screener must open the container, the TSA and/or airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the passenger.  If this is unsuccessful, the container will not be placed on the plane since unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) are not permitted on aircraft due to Federal regulations.  
Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.
Black powder and percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.

The regulations are strictly enforced.  Violations can result in criminal prosecution and the imposition of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.  

Air carriers may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition an individual may place in checked baggage.  Therefore, travelers should also contact the air carrier regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.


It is pretty simple.

1) Receiver, firearm or ammo ammo must be packed in a hard cased container that must be lockable.

2) When checking in at the airport counter you declare that you are checking in a firearm, firearm related part or ammo

3) The clerk will ask you to open the hardcase container to make sure what is being shipped and to make sure the weapon is clear

4) They fill-out an orange tag and put it inside the hardcase

5) They escort you to the TSA security check point (sometimes they allow you to cut to the front of the line )

6) TSA will ask you to open the hardcase once again for final ispection(in front of you) at which point they ask you to lock the hardcase. At this point the Airline clerk takes the hardcase for loading onto the plane.

7) Upon landing at your destination you haul ass to the lugage pickup and wait for your hardcase.

THANKS FOR INFO; #7 COULD NOT BE MORE TRUE!!!

I carry a 7.62 bullet on my key-chain. The security screeners raised hell with me. Keep in mind that this was only a "bullet", no case, no primer, no powder.
I would not try taking a lower on the plane

I have never traveled with my AR's however, I do travel quite frequiently with handguns and the procedure is almost the same.  With a handgun you must put the locked container in your check in luggage (it can be soft sided) and you must lock the luggage.  You then take it to the TSA X-Ray machine where they run it through and put a tag on the handle that says "Inspected By TSA Do Not Open".

Check in has always been fast and you get to lock your luggage without fear of the lock being cut off and contents stolen.

MadDog