Muzzle-Loader stopped by TSA in Boston
A traveler was stopped by the TSA in Boston after a muzzleloader was found to be ‘improperly declared’ in his checked baggage. The photo embedded below shows how the muzzleloader was packed for traveling and then found by the TSA.
Traveleing with a muzzleloader is not illegal, but the TSA does have strict rules on how a muzzleloader, or any firearm or gun needs to be packed in order to travel. In this case, I agree with the TSA on the point of pullin the muzzleloader from the baggage system. Transporting a traditional side lock muzzleloader in a soft duffle bag without any padding seems like a really bad idea. It’d be one thing if the muzzleloader was made of modern metals and plastics, but the TSA stopping this traveler likely saved this muzzleloader from being destroyed in transit.
Sadly, Massachusetts State Police took the rifle because the traveler didn’t have another case to properly package the rifle, the TSA said. Afterwards, the man was then allowed to continue on his travels. No other details on any possible penalties were provided.
I hope the 71 year old traveler is able to reclaim his muzzleloader at somepoint and the penalties aren’t too severe. Traveling with a muzzleloader can be tricky due to the length of the long rifle profile. The Log Cabin Shop and other businesses offer a variety of soft padded cases to help secure your muzzleloader while traveling, but it’s difficult to find a hard case as required by the TSA for flying with a longrifle.
Long Muzzleloader Hard Cases for Traveling
Since publishing, friend of the site Tim B. has shared a tip for those traveling with muzzleloaders, an “adjustable hard ski case”. These cases are made for skiis, but can be modified and padded to accomodate a nice long muzzleloader.
Check out this option on Amazon
While not as nice as some of the Pelican brand hard cases we see, these would cetainly be better than a soft duffle bag.