Visiting FL, few questuons about area

[ping.brady]

Hey there. We booked a beach house for a week in early October. Since FL honors my CO concealed carry license I wish to take a few firearms with me.

1. Anyone know of any good shooting ranges or gun related things near Sanibel Island? I Google mapped around and see the basic registered stuff, just curious if there were any recommendations from locals or others?

2. Thinking about taking my 40C and Shield M&Ps. Anyone known if I can check them in the same box? I have a GunVault 1000 that I believe is TSA approved, but not sure if I can transport with 2 or more weapons in it or do they need to be checked separately?

3. When I declare my firearms, will they take me through security separately? DIA and TSA website don't clearly state how that works. Also, I will be traveling with my family (wife, 11 yr old and 2 yr old) and my wife's parents. Would I get separated from them or does everyone come with me. Or just immediate family?

TIA for any insight!!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[miklcolt45]

Call your airline and ask them about both firearms in the same container.
I can't imagine why it would be an issue, but we are talking logic and guns in the same sentence, so who knows?

Go inside to check in. Tell them you have a firearm to declare (not "I have a gun!").
They should check to see that it is unloaded (action back).
Check your airline's regs on ammo.
They should have you close and lock the case (your lock, not TSA).
Fill out their little form, which they will tape to outside of your locked guncase.
I use a center of mass safe which I lock to my suitcase internal frame.
Close your suitcase, and you should be good to go.
Some airlines might have you wait around a few minutes until the suitcase has been x-rayed.

Welcome to FL.

ETA: you won't be separated from anyone, and it shouldn't add significantly to the time it takes you to get through security.

[MadMac]

Let me add one thing to miklcolt's good suggestions: there is no such thing as a "TSA-approved" gun case, In fact, you defintely do not want a TSA lock for your weapons case that they can open. Make sure you use a good locking device or a safe for which only YOU have the key or combination. I, too, use a COM safe for travel, and lock it to the frame.

As stated already, you may have to wait while you checked baggage is scanned. Other than that, it's no big deal.

[bigmacque]

Fort Myers has a range on Fowler, Fowler Firearms and Gun Range, that I really like, I stop in there to shoot often when I'm down that way. Google it, it's just North of Page Field, which is a small executive airport in town.

[Andrew G]

I shop and shoot at shoot straight in tampa, they have a store in fort Myers as well. I have not been there but I have never had a problem with shoot straight, except for the odd sales person not being interested in showing me toys... the range has always been satisfactory.

[bigmacque]

I didn't know there was a Shoot Straight in Fort Myers, I would shoot there when I'm down there -- where is it located?

I do have a problem with Shoot Straight prices when it comes to guns though, they tend to be a little high.

[DoctorBob]

The absolute best and most detailed advice I've seen is found at
Mac's Guide to Flying with a Firearm: - Glock Talk

You MUST not attempt to go thru security with your weapons or even get close to the security line. As you enter the terminal, go to the ticket line. If there is an attendant at the entrance to the line area, tell her that you have an unloaded firearm to check and shwe will sometimes direct you to a separate counter but your family can go with you. After they check your gun and give you the form to tape to the outside of your gun case (which is inside your luggage), they may escort you to the TSA CHECKED LUGGAGE SCREENING area where you tell them that the luggage contains an unoloaded firearm that has been checked by the ariline and they may want you to hange around for a few minutes while they xray the suitcase or ask you to open up again and show them the form taped to the outside of the weapon box. Do NOT let anyone tell you that the form has to go on the outside of your luggage suitcase.

If your read thru Mac's post and follow the instructions you will have NO problem. I've checked 3 guns in one box on Southwest with no problem.
You should print out the TSA, Federal (FOPA) regs, and the airline regs from their websites and have a copy with you - preferably in the box that holds your guns. It may be useful to win a discussion if you run into an official that doesn't know what s/he is taling about. MAKE A COPY OF YOUR PERMIT AND HAVE IT IN THE BOX.

There is plenty of ammo in Florida avaialable at almost every WalMart. you probably don't have to bring any with you.

Allow an extra half hour for check in but you probably won't need it.

On arrival, check to see that your locked gun case is in your luggage BUT AVOID OPENING THE GUN CASE IN THE AIRPORT.

DO NOT USE THE WORD "GUN;" say "unloaded firearm."

[noway2]

One thing to consider is that there is nothing that says that you have to put a gun case inside of another (unlocked) bag. Instead you can use a lockable case for your luggage, with your lock on it. The outside of the bag is also NOT allowed to be marked as containing a firearm, per federal regs.

[Glockanista]

From Sanibel back into FT Myers is a bit of a haul (traffic in Ft Myers is tough). Once you get onto Sanibel Island, you will be placed into a trance and not want to leave the island or maybe the sky high tolls they charge to cross the bridge that casues that feeling. It is one of my favorite places on earth. Hope you have a gret time.

[The Fish]

One thing to consider is that there is nothing that says that you have to put a gun case inside of another (unlocked) bag. Instead you can use a lockable case for your luggage, with your lock on it. The outside of the bag is also NOT allowed to be marked as containing a firearm, per federal regs.

Using this set-up,I have always worried about the TSA cutting off the lock since they would not know there were firearms inside.
I always go with locked gun case (only I can open) inside regular suitcase which can have a TSA lock.

An acquaintance of mine works for the TSA on the checked baggage inspection station. He says that the x-ray can see if the gun is unloaded,i.e no mag in and no round in chamber.They get a bunch of guns here in FL so seeing one is not a big deal.

[zonker1986]

Sanibel Island is a great vacation spot. I live in Florida, and I like it to get away. Good luck with the airlines and your guns.....and welcome to the Gunshine State when you arrive.....and beware of "Little Blue Haired Tank Pilots" in Florida....they are probably packin'. Fort Myers is like the retirement capital of the planet.

[Andrew G]

I didn't know there was a Shoot Straight in Fort Myers, I would shoot there when I'm down there -- where is it located?

I do have a problem with Shoot Straight prices when it comes to guns though, they tend to be a little high.

UI have to agree on the prices of firearms at Shoot straight tend to be high, but i have been in small shops that were quite a bit higher up here in the north side of tampa. I could not give you directions to the SS in Ft Myers as when im down that way im in cape coral and I don't generally make my way anywhere but the pool and to out into the gulf on my uncles boat.

[GotSig?]

Nothing more to add then have a good time in the gunshine state.