If you’re flying domestically or internationally, you might be concerned that your airsoft gun might need to be left behind. You might want to bring it and can quite likely bring it long, as long as you know what not to do.
In general, you can bring your airsoft gun on a plane in checked baggage. As long as you do not have access to the gun on the flight, you will be allowed to take it along. The only exception is when the departure or arrival destination has outlawed airsoft guns.
This article covers every angle of flying with an airsoft gun, so make sure to read it till the end. It includes the best practices of flying with an airsoft gun, the states not to travel to while carrying an airsoft gun, and how to minimize any conflicts that might occur because you have an airsoft gun.
Do You Need To Declare An Airsoft Gun?
You do not need to declare an airsoft gun at an airport if the airport is in a state where airsoft guns are not seen as weapons or imitation firearms (which is most states). In some states, you might have to declare the airsoft gun. It is safer to declare it.
Can I Have An Airsoft Gun In My Hand Carry?
You cannot have an airsoft gun in your hand-carry luggage. It must be in the checked baggage and out of your access when you’re on the plane.
Will I Get Stopped For Carrying An Airsoft Gun?
You will most likely not get stopped for having an airsoft gun in your checked baggage unless the state laws prohibit airsoft gun ownership. In most cases, there is no legislative framework to distinguish an airsoft gun from a toy gun. Still, there are instances when you should not bring an airsoft weapon to an airport.
When Not To Bring Your Airsoft Gun On A Plane
There is no federal ban or restriction on carrying an airsoft gun on a plane. But some states treat airsoft weapons as actual guns. Others treat them as imitation weapons. In both cases, there are frameworks for carrying and handling airsoft guns.
You should not bring airsoft guns on a plane if you are flying from or to Michigan, Chicago, Arkansas, San Fransico, Washington, DC, and New York. Avoid being in possession of an airsoft gun while traveling if the states you will be in view airsoft guns as firearms or imitation weapons.
To be safe, avoid traveling with an airsoft gun if you’re under 16 because many states do not allow minors under 16 to carry or own airsoft weapons. Aside from these two contexts, airsoft is seen as a toy gun.
Best Practices Of Traveling With An Airsoft Gun?
If you’re traveling with an airsoft gun, you might not be in legal trouble, but you have the responsibility of making sure your gun doesn’t harm or scare anyone. Use the following best practices to ensure a seamless travel experience.
Research The Destination’s Attitude Towards Airsoft Guns
Please note that even if you’re not flying internationally, you should check the attitude of the departure and arrival destination regarding airsoft guns. If you read my post on whether you can shoot airsoft in a forest, you’ll realize that it is illegal to possess an airsoft gun in some states.
So, while you won’t get in trouble for flying an airsoft gun, at least with the TSA, you might get into serious trouble upon exiting the airport.
Place The Airsoft Gun In Checked Baggage
Do not put your airsoft gun in any bag that you will have access to on the flight. That’s a recipe for looking suspicious. Flying airsoft guns as gifts or for personal use across state lines or even international borders is normal.
Have An Orange Tip Fixed To The Airsoft Gun
Some ill-informed airport security staff members might blow the presence of an airsoft gun out of proportion. To avoid having to explain yourself, fix an orange tip to the front of the gun. Many states mandate the orange tip by law, so it is legally safer, anyway.
Do Not Carry Ammo In The Same Bag As The Airsoft Gun
To make airport security’s job easier, you shouldn’t carry airsoft BBs. This ensures that you’re not capable of harming anyone at the airport. I recommend this if you’re flying to or from a small airport.
Security staff in low-traffic airports don’t see airsoft guns being flown as often as in main airports. If you happen to be the first passenger they see with an airsoft gun, they might detail you for around an hour, eventually concluding their “interview” with an apology.
Cooperate With The Authorities
Know that the people at the airport aren’t there to make life inconvenient for you. They’re just doing their jobs. If they’re not fully informed about the fact that the airsoft gun is a toy, they might ask questions. Your attitude will lubricate the situation.
Be Willing To Let Go Of The Gun
In very few cases, you will be asked to leave the airsoft gun behind. Be willing to part with it if you want to catch your flight. Statistically, the odds of this are lower than 1%, but it still helps to be fully prepared.
When In Doubt, Declare
The worst-case scenario when declaring an airsoft weapon is that the service staff will chuckle. But it will free you of the stress of thinking you might be doing something wrong. The last thing you need is to appear nervous. Looking nervous can get you in more trouble than actually carrying an airsoft gun.’
Final Thoughts
An airsoft gun is treated as a toy gun by many states, so owning it won’t land you in trouble. When you travel from one such state to another, you can place the airsoft gun in checked baggage and fly without even declaring it. In some states, the gun must have an orange tip, so fix that before flying. And some states see airsoft guns as actual weapons, so declare the gun if you fly from or to such a state. Other than that, cooperate with the authorities and understand that they’re just trying to create a safe environment for everyone.