air travel with a shotgun

[colthead]

Dear Friends , I have to travel with a shotgun from delhi to mumbai , in view of the red alert in the country , I want to know which airlines permits the carrying of guns , I have all the travel doccuments like NOC for purchase and TRAVEL PERMIT to bring the gun from delhi to mumbai , what are the procedures to be followed at the airport , this is my first time and I don't want to get stuck , please guide me regards colthead

[jonahpach]

Hello colthead,
You would need a hard case for a longgun (It probably wouldnt fit in a suitcase) If it does fit, warn the blokes at the X-ray machine in advance otherwise they will go bonkers! Needless to say you cant carry it in your inflight airbag. If you have the correct papers I dont think you will have any trouble.

Good luck!

Jonah

[Shamsher]

Dear Colthead

You need to email or fax the airlines that you intend to carry with you your liscenced shotgun with you.

It would be packed in a hard case & it will be delivered at the airlines counter at the airport.
Upon reaching the destination it should be delivered by the airlines counter at that airport.

Please make sure you get a reply in writing from the airlines confirming the above.

Further the airlines should also insure the shotgun while it is in their posession.

I am sure they would ask some funny questions - do let us all know.

Regards
Shamsher

[TenX]

Can I suggest you carry a case that can have a lock. Also keep with you, a small lock, with two keys...

[Anand]

Hello colthead,
I regularly travel with a handgun on flights and the procedure I outline here is the same through out the country with minor variances if any. In light of the current situation additional time may have to be allocated for this process. All airlines that I know of, permit LEGAL transportation of firearms in checked baggage. I have done this with, Indian Airlines, AirDeccan, Kingfisher, Paramount, JetAirways and Indigo.
The exceptions will be in very small aircraft where there is no separate space for check in baggage.

1.First pack the shotgun in a re-lockable hard case.
2.You have to ask for a "firearm declaration form" at the check-in counter while at the same time
mentioning that you have a license. Most counters will not have the form, and some one will be asked to
bring it from elsewhere. So there will usually be a wait of 10-15 minutes
3. The form/declaration will have to be filled in asking them to transport your firearm for you on the airline
in checked baggage. Your license and the firearm will be inspected by the airline personel/security, after
the firearm particulars are crosschecked with your license and the filled out form and your air ticket,
they will ask you to re-pack/lock the firearm and then put it through the x-ray machine.
4. Then they will get a signature from the airport manager/airline authorities and then your boarding card,
baggage tags will be issued, then the card/tag details are also entered on the form.(sometimes this is in
reverse order)
5. The form is in duplicate so one copy will be given to you so you can collect the firearm at the
destination. You will again sign for the firearm at the time of collection.
6. Your firearm case will be marked with a 'W' as in 'Weapon', and kept separately, and finally escorted
personally by the airline staff to the aircraft.

A few things to remember, allow your self at least an extra 45 mins for this process, more in light of the current terror watch. All licenses must be in ORIGINAL, no copies allowed.Transport of Cartridges in excess of Fifty (50) no.s will require the permission of the DGCA. The only exemption to this (I was told) is, if you are a renowned shot (dont know if this applies to Rifle club members). The case/ box must be hardsided in order to protect the firearm. Sometimes the security personel start checking your baggage even before you actually go near the check in counter so be sure to quietely inform them without drawing too much attention. Dont expect everyone in the airline staff to know all the rules regarding this process. A lot of VIPs and Police/Defence people carry firearms so there is an established procedure for this. As in most cases politeness goes a long way,
Thats about it,
Best of Luck,
Anand

[kanwar76]

Colt,

So as soon as you get off the plane, inform ground staff about your gun. Aircrafts have a seperate section to keep guns/ammo. Thats what they told me when they forgot to unload my rifle and took it to Bombay from Delhi .

[mundaire]

BTW, someone sent me an SMS earlier today about Big B being detained at Mumbai airport for being in possession of a handgun. Anyone have details on this?

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[marksman]

Diskaon and all,
Mr. Bachhan maybe having seperate book for each of the fire arm he possesses and he managed to get his hands on the wrong one in a hurry without bothering to see the details. No big deal since a lot of our target shooters prefer to have more then one book, generally one for the handguns and the other for the long arms. He does possess a shotgun besides the revolver mentioned.
Marksman

PS: The proceedure described by Anand is what one must follow while travelling with a fire arm. It is a wee bit time consuming but legal and safe.

[colthead]

dear friends ,
finally after almost a month and a half could all the paperwork get sorted out and i could bring the gun from delhi to mumbai
as anand mentioned the procedure was to the T
actually it took me just 15 mins to get the paperwork sorted out and the staff was very cooperative and friendly
i flew by king fisher airlines
as soon as i entered the airport check in area i informed the first cop i saw that i was carrying a gun
he directed me to go to the x ray screening machine and speak to the airline security personal
once i informed them i had a gun they were not at all peturbed
infact they gave me a printed weapon decleration form that i filled , they inspected the serial no asked me to pad lock it and then x rayed the gun ,
after that they sealed it and escorted me to the check in counter and gave me the second copy of the form after the duty manager had signed it
then they issued me a boarding pass and stuck the tag on the boarding pass
they gave me a front seat on the flight so that i could get off the plane fast
on arrival the gun was with the duty officer he saw the tag no on my boarding pass and asked me to sign on the form again as acceptance that i have received the gun in the same condition that i had handed over in delhi
it was a breeze
thanks for the help and guidance
by the way i have bought a perazzi mx 8 , 30 " barrel in good condition
as i want to persue trap shooting
will post pics later
regards
colt head

[TenX]

Congrats Colthead.. this makes it a grand year start for you

[andy_65_in]

What are the rules for travel by train with a firearm(sorry for butting in a airline thread).

[ebenezer]

Hi Andy,

I don't know what the rules are in other places, but to transport my father's shotgun from Chennai to Coimbatore by train I enquired with the Southern Railway PRO, who told me that I would have to get a 'security clearance certificate' from the Police Commissioner's office along with the original licence book. I abandoned the idea and took it by car.

Regards,
Ebenezer

[HydNawab]

I dont think there should be any problem with travelling with your weapon by air if you have a valid license, carry permit and a NOC.

Try carrying this DGCA notification also if possible.I dont think it is that important since most airlines know the procedure.

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Ashar