Hello,
We just had a bonehead try to fly out of Hartsfield with a 9mm handgun in his carry on.
Needless to say they nabbed him and now he is in the Clayton Cty jail. Duh I forgot it was in there.. his excuse. So your question peaked my interest. I realise you asked about checked luggage but this FAQ pretty much covers it:
Regards
Dave Bodkin
Cumming, GA.
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Q. What items are prohibited beyond the passenger screening checkpoint?
A. The FAA prohibits airlines from allowing dangerous or deadly items through the passenger screening checkpoint. Because of the subjective description of dangerous or deadly items, it is the airline's responsibility to determine what they will allow. Most airlines will prohibit items such as scissors, trade tools, and items resembling firearms.
The following are prohibited from being carried beyond the checkpoint:
Knives of any length, composition or description
Cutting instruments of any composition or description, including carpet and box cutters, (and spare blades)
Any device with a folding or retractable blade
Ice picks
Straight razors
Metal scissors
Metal nail files
Corkscrews
Baseball bats
Golf clubs
Ski poles
Hockey sticks
Items which may be transported:
Walking canes
Umbrellas
Nail clippers
Safety razors
Syringes (with documentation of medical need)
Tweezers and eye lash curlers.
* Man: attacked with eye lash curler.... news at 11. Just joking folks :-)
Q. I want to carry a firearm with me on my trip. What should I do?
A. The FAA requires passengers carrying firearms in checked baggage to declare that firearm to the airline. Firearms must be unloaded, and in a lockable container suitable for air transportation and the bag is checked in at the ticket counter. In addition, we recommend that you contact your airline to determine any airline specific requirements.
Q. What is the regulation that covers the carriage of firearms?
A. Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 108.11, covers the carriage of firearms. Part 108.11 may be found on the FAA's web site at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfrhtml_00/Title_14/14cfr108_00.html.
Same goes for ammo. It must be in checked luggage there is a maximum allowed too....