Any Regulations Regarding Travel With An Airgun?

[XpRtNooB]

Hey guys how's it going? I have a trip to Mexico coming up in December,and I wanted to take one of my air guns that I have with me here,I have a Mendoza Rm1000 over there but kind of like the ones I have here more. Can I take my air gun with me on the plane,of course not on the carry on bag. Also I wouldnt want to buy one over there,I saw a hatsan 125 sniper going for more than $550. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

[OleTomCat]

The TSA will most likely treat it as if it were a real firearm requiring advance notice of travel with it and put in a special lockable case, most hard side gun cases meet this requirement.

[BenjiHunter]

Are you sure it's not 550 pesos?
That would be a great deal.

[XpRtNooB]

The TSA will most likely treat it as if it were a real firearm requiring advance notice of travel with it and put in a special lockable case, most hard side gun cases meet this requirement.

I dont want to go through all the hassle of dealing with checking in and explaining to them that its not a real fire arm. *sigh* And I think they will probably "lose" or "misplace" my gun case as soon as I get to mexico. Was thinking more of taking apart the gun and putting it in my check in baggage 

[XpRtNooB]

Are you sure it's not 550 pesos?
That would be a great deal.

Hahaha I wish,with that price I wouldve turned my house in mexico into a Hatsan Warehouse. No in actual pesos it was more of $7,005 

[OleTomCat]

The TSA will most likely treat it as if it were a real firearm requiring advance notice of travel with it and put in a special lockable case, most hard side gun cases meet this requirement.

I dont want to go through all the hassle of dealing with checking in and explaining to them that its not a real fire arm. *sigh* And I think they will probably "lose" or "misplace" my gun case as soon as I get to mexico. Was thinking more of taking apart the gun and putting it in my check in baggage 

That would most likely get you arrested...

[BillK]

I would also be concerned about how the Mexican authorities feel about bringing air guns into the country.

[XpRtNooB]

I would also be concerned about how the Mexican authorities feel about bringing air guns into the country.

Im more worried about this side of the border,I went through the mexican secretary of defense (marines)webiste regulations regarding air guns,and they are considered toys...surprisingly. From what Ive seen and heard,almost every walmart,sears,costco,and major retailers,even local hardware stores sell air guns to anyone that wants to buy one,so it wouldnt be much of a problem over there. They dont allow CO2 guns into the country at all though. My problem is I dont want to purchase something that will most likely have low qc.

[BenjiHunter]

Are you sure it's not 550 pesos?
That would be a great deal.

Hahaha I wish,with that price I wouldve turned my house in mexico into a Hatsan Warehouse. No in actual pesos it was more of $7,005 

That is expensive!!

[Bicycleman]

"Was thinking more of taking apart the gun and putting it in my check in baggage"

I has been nice knowing you.

[Bicycleman]

Food for thought:

Friends of a friend drove down to Mexico to hunt doves and brought their shotguns (expensive one).  The authorities detained them for a couple of months.  A friendly guard  carried a note out for them.  The note reached home and they were ransomed out of the lockup.  The shotguns were not so lucky - the shotguns still live in Mexico somewhere.  This was in the mid 70s but I don't think things have changed much since then.

[Gtownjake]

Ship it to yourself in Mexico?
Label it "Hobby Supplies"

[Roadworthy]

I've been thinking about you're situation.  My decision - scrap this idea!!  Why?  You're dealing with about four separate entities, and your freedom hangs on the decision of some petty bureaucrat at each level.  You have to deal with TSA when you board the aircraft at this end and Mexican customs at the other end.  Even if the official policy allows the airgun to travel there is no guarantee the individual with whom you are dealing knows it will be allowed.

When you go to leave Mexico you still must deal with getting the gun onto that plane and upon arriving back in this country you will be at the mercy of our Customs people.  Are you really so naive as to believe you can waltz through all four of these?  I wish you well, but I certainly wouldn't try it.  Don't worry about what I think - I wouldn't go to Mexico in the first place.  There must be a reason the populace is all migrating to the US.  Oh, since TSA took over I don't fly much any more, either.  If I can't go by car the trip probably wasn't worth it.

[palonej]

+1. One of my good friends is a TSA agent in Newark airport. The hassle involved with a small Swiss Army knife is horrendous!! When there is the slightest doubt you will be detained. Not worth it bro.
Check in luggage is periodically opened up or X rayed. Not the best idea.

[maripaul]

Last trip to Mexico was to what is called the "Mexican Riviera" on a cruise ship out of Long Beach. At check in before boarding a 4" knife showed up in my jacket pocket as we went through x-ray. It was confiscated, and later mailed back to me by the cruise company.

There is no way I would try to bring anything that even looked like a weapon into Mexico! Even the typical tourist traps have minimal security for the touristas.

Roadworthy has the best advice here - "Scrap the idea!!"

[QVTom]

Checking AG with the TSA is no problem.  Yes they do treat them as firearms but have a nice and easy policy in place.  All  you need is a airline approved case with your own lock or TSA approved lock.  Bring your unloaded AG in it's case to the counter and declare it as an AG, the counter clerk will call over a TSA, they will ask some questions,have you sign a declaration (same as a firearm) and take your case somewhere to inspect.  If you have TSA locks you're done and or they will borrow your key and return it.  The airline treats it as regular luggage and there  is no additional charge.  The two times I have done this, it was fast, smooth and friendly. (one was LAX).  The only restrictions were no charged air tanks or Co2, I was only asked this at one end of my trip.  Do not try to convince them that an AG is not a firearm, to the TSA it makes no difference if it's a Red Ryder or a 50bmg.  They will accommodate either.

Mexico.........  Little advice to give.  I do remember a story about a US Marine that spent months chained to a bed in a cell for bringing into Mexico a legally declared antique shotgun to give to his dad.  Keep in mind that many officials do not know their own laws (even in the US), so in you don't have someone in Mexico to handle customs I'd give up on the Idea. 

Tom

[XpRtNooB]

Thanks for all the info and your advice guys,I really appreciate it. Jeez,thanks guys,now im even scared to go on my vacation haha. But yeah,I won't risk it,ill just stick to my Mendoza     Since I cant take the AG,you guys think Ill have trouble if I take some pellet tins? And I have a Buck knife,im pretty sure there isnt a problem if I take it on my check-in baggage right?

[Habanero69er]

Mexico.........  Little advice to give.  I do remember a story about a US Marine that spent months chained to a bed in a cell for bringing into Mexico a legally declared antique shotgun to give to his dad.  Keep in mind that many officials do not know their own laws (even in the US), so in you don't have someone in Mexico to handle customs I'd give up on the Idea. 

Tom

+1. And the fore mentioned Marine did everything by the book, complying with Mexican law & the Federalis still snatched him up. If I remember correctly, they were the ones holding him hostage. You're dealing with a generally corrupt group of people south of the border.

[Bicycleman]

Tom said:  "Keep in mind that many officials do not know their own laws (even in the US),"

And I would like to add that NO ONE KNOWS ALL THE LAWS.  Many officers KNOW certain laws that are their favorites and they enforce those with regularity.  But there are other laws that they may misunderstand.  An example of this has to do with a "local" who stopped some bicycle riders and stated they were in violation of a certain law.  One of the bicycle riders was the liaison person concerning bicycle safety in the big city next door.  He informed "Barney" that he was mistaken and could check Municipal Code # ----- and the answer would be found there.  The officer was embarrassed and stated so.  He apologized to the group and even gave them a courtesy escorted through a heavy traffic area. 

Not exactly about air rifles but I felt like saying it.  Sorry to hijack the thread.

[Jason in TN]

Would not risk taking it. Sounds like a good way to spend so e time in jail in Mexico. They will lock you up for about anything to get some money to let you out.