Firearms Safety and Proficiency

Hello students and all interested in improving your firearms safety and proficiency. In April I traveled to Arizona to visit some friends and participate in an IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association), level 1 shooting match with Prescott Action Shooters.

Participating in matches like this and those with USPSA, are invaluable in training for when you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, where it may be necessary to quickly draw your firearm and fire several accurate shots in defense of your life or your loved ones. Additionally, it is a whole lot of fun, and you get to meet many other like-minded individuals. Safety is the number one priority at these events and whenever I attend, I learn so much more about the thought process of carrying a firearm, proper grip, proper stance, muzzle awareness, proper sight alignment and all those other things that you will learn in an NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting class.

Travelling with a firearm takes some planning but it’s totally doable. There are several websites where you can find out the laws pertaining to taking your firearm with you, whether you're traveling by air or by car. (U.S. Concealed Carry Association) For now, I will just relate to you, my experience. Check with TSA. Their website is helpful. And your airline. I usually travel on American Airlines. They allow you to take a certain amount of ammo, 11 lbs. or less, as long as it’s in the original boxes from the manufacturer. It must be in your checked luggage. And you need to inform the ticket agent when you check your luggage.

The TSA requires that your firearms be unloaded and in locked containers separate from any ammunition and checked at the ticket counter. Again, please check their website. I'm not offering legal advice here. You need to do your own homework. It is not an overly burdensome process, however. I recommend that you allow some extra time at the airport. After reading several articles and accounts of people traveling with their firearms unloaded in locked containers and how they locked them I've learned a couple of things. First, start off your trip with your firearms locked with TSA approved combination locks on every locking ring of your hard case. And always bring a full set of padlocks with a shorter shank that will still completely lock every possible locking hole on your case. At Savannah Hilton Head (SAV) and Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) the TSA locks were sufficient however when I went through Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) the gate agent unlatched case and discovered that she could squish her fingers into the gap a little way. This could have been a major problem if I hadn't planned ahead and brought the padlocks. I immediately changed out the TSA locks with my shorter shank padlocks. I had already checked to make sure they would fit. So, I put them on and was good to go. I hate to think what would have happened if I had to leave my firearms at the airport or buy locks from them that didn’t fit. They did offer to sell me locks but I can't guarantee that it would be the case at other airports if they show concern about the TSA locks. My advice is not to assume that your padlocks will be accepted by all TSA Agents. At PHX two Agents unlocked my case and inspected every firearm before sending the case to the plane. And, yes, that nice clean, pretty case is going to get scuffed up and scratched just like your suitcase.

Hope this helps a little bit. Hope you enjoy the blog. See the pictures and always remember; “Owning a firearm won't make you safer. Knowing how and when to use one will.” So, get trained and get to the range.

Your Instructor Brian