Carrying in an airport.

[Hammertime]

As I learn more about carry laws in Indiana and abroad, I noticed that some states say its illegal to carry a handgun "inside the secured area of an airport".

Can anyone explain what that means? The way I interrupt it is, that I can carry a handgun into the airport but not past security? Am I wrong or is there more to it?

Like for example, if I was dropping someone off at the airport and walked them in to security, would I be okay?

This is just a curiosity thing, not something I'm planning on doing.

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[17 squirrel]

When you hit the security checkpoint, you are entering Federal Laws.
Before you get to security you are under State Laws..

You are good, just don't try to go through security yourself.

 

[Hammertime]

When you hit the security checkpoint, you are entering Federal Laws.
Before you get to security you are under State Laws..

You are good, just don't try to go through security yourself.

Interesting. Good to know! Appreciate the prompt response sir!

 

[Jarhead77]

Tyler, first, welcome. My routine is to go to each airports website and check their policy....not sure it is the case everywhere, but it seems the individual state where the airport is can influence airport policy. I've never had any troubles. Your question is a good one....the most important thing is that you cannot go through the TSA inspection points with a weapon. Here in Indy, you can enter the airport while carrying and should have no trouble, but to emphasize, you cannot cross through the TSA checkpoint with a weapon. Hope this helps.

 

[17 squirrel]

Well you can try to carry through the checkpoint, you will just miss your flight.

 

[Hammertime]

Tyler, first, welcome. My routine is to go to each airports website and check their policy....not sure it is the case everywhere, but it seems the individual state where the airport is can influence airport policy. I've never had any troubles. Your question is a good one....the most important thing is that you cannot go through the TSA inspection points with a weapon. Here in Indy, you can enter the airport while carrying and should have no trouble, but to emphasize, you cannot cross through the TSA checkpoint with a weapon. Hope this helps.

Yeah, I would definitely not go through the TSA Checkpoints. The farthest I would go is to where the Terminals begin and you see all the stanchions.

 

[LP1]

handgunlaw.us is an excellent source of information

 

[MCgrease08]

One of the few places where I would recommend CC over OC.

For me personally, it would not be worth the hassle that I'm sure would come with open carrying in the airport.

 

[Hammertime]

One of the few places where I would recommend CC over OC.

For me personally, it would not be worth the hassle that I'm sure would come with open carrying in the airport.

Yeah I could understand why you'd want to do that. I'm not sure how I feel.

For one, I'm not sure I'll be able to conceal a full size sidearm easily. (Still trying to find something full size to EDC).
But if I'm not breaking any laws I dont see why I wouldnt feel comfortable just going about my business. I suppose you're right that I'd most likely be harassed since its an Airport of all places. Lucky IND isnt very big.

 

[Paul30]

As posted, you just can't carry through the security check point. I dropped a friend off at the airport and sat with her until it was time for her flight having some morning coffee before the check point. She asked me if I wanted to go sit with her and wait for the flight. I told her they would not like me very well if I tried to go through the check point. She looked alarmed and asked "you don't have that with you do you"? I replied that I have her covered on this side of the check point, the guys patting you down will have to protect you on the other side. Walking through a airport parking lot at night or early morning, I prefer to be armed like I do anywhere else. This guy escorted someone through the airport with his AR15, it made national news.

Georgia man legally carries gun through Atlanta airport terminal | abc13.com

 

[Hammertime]

As posted, you just can't carry through the security check point. I dropped a friend off at the airport and sat with her until it was time for her flight having some morning coffee before the check point. She asked me if I wanted to go sit with her and wait for the flight. I told her they would not like me very well if I tried to go through the check point. She looked alarmed and asked "you don't have that with you do you"? I replied that I have her covered on this side of the check point, the guys patting you down will have to protect you on the other side. Walking through a airport parking lot at night or early morning, I prefer to be armed like I do anywhere else. This guy escorted someone through the airport with his AR15, it made national news.

Georgia man legally carries gun through Atlanta airport terminal | abc13.com

I do remember seeing that! Thanks for the clarification guys!

 

[ccomstock001]

If I'm not breaking any laws I dont see why I wouldnt feel comfortable just going about my business. I suppose you're right that I'd most likely be harassed since its an Airport of all places. Lucky IND isnt very big.

You should ask the guys on here who have been tackled by police just for walking down the street. I have no problem with OC in fact I have been doing it for the past week I just feel there are certain places I wouldn't do it.

 

[Hammertime]

You should ask the guys on here who have been tackled by police just for walking down the street. I have no problem with OC in fact I have been doing it for the past week I just feel there are certain places I wouldn't do it.

Well then, I've certainly not read enough to see that yet. Thats really interesting. I suppose though thats a risk I take, when bringing a firearm in to the Airport?

 

[Paul30]

I support Open Carry, I just prefer not to do it myself. Even those who do open carry will likely tell you that there are times it is wiser to concealed carry. This is one of those situations to me. Some businesses that have posted signs no weapons are good candidates to conceal carry if you don't want to be asked to leave. Some will boycott these business, but some times when the wife and kids want to go there you have to decide if that is the proper battle to fight when you can simply conceal carry into the theater and let the kid watch is movie.

 

[9mmfan]

I've carried (cc ) in the South Bend airport some years ago but never went past the metal detectors. Don't need a federal rap.

 

[Alamo]

State criminal law generally applies on airport territory. There maybe federal laws that apply as well. Some states have made possession of a firearm in an airport's secure area a state crime. TSA penalties are civil penalties (fines), so if they catch with a gun in your carry on, they will summon local law enforcement to handle any criminal violation. Thus you may get zapped with a fine from the Feds and possibly a criminal charge from the locals. (However, if it appears you didn't just forget the gun but were possibly attempting a hijacking, then you will get to talk to the federales, since hijacking an airliner is a federal crime). In Texas, the law recently changed to give you a chance to take your gun back to your car or whatever if accidently left it in your carry-on and TSA catches you, but it is still illegal to take it on into the secure area.

Outside the secure areas, state laws hold sway as well. Some states do not allow firearms to be carried even in the non-secure areas of an airport, unless it is unloaded and locked in a case to be sent as checked luggage. I know Florida used to forbid concealed carry in an airport, but I haven't checked that lately. In Texas, and it appears Indiana as well, you can carry on your license in the non-secure public areas.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Ah, Texas law! Rhino owes me ammo!

Indiana's statute is at 35-47-6-1.3 (remember TACS, Title-Article-Chapter-Section. 35 is criminal. 47 is weapons).

IC 35-47-6-1.3
Firearm, explosive, or deadly weapon; possession in controlled access areas of an airport
Sec. 1.3. A person who knowingly or intentionally enters an area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property while the person:
(1) possesses:
(A) a firearm;
(B) an explosive; or
(C) any other deadly weapon; or
(2) has access to property that contains:
(A) a firearm;
(B) an explosive; or
(C) any other deadly weapon;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.

 

[eldirector]

I have open carried in baggage claim here in Indy. Paul Blart on his Segway didn't seem to care as I helped my in-laws grab their bags and load them in the car.

 

[04FXSTS]

I have carried several times in the Indy airport when picking my wife up and no problems. As said earlier it depends on the state, Illinois airports are by law GFZ's. Jim.

 

[tlandon]

As one of the original batch of TSA Screeners in 2002. I can say that if you know where to put a small handgun, chances are pretty high you could get thru the checkpoint. I saw the TSA Red Team get four people thru two different checkpoints at Indy. Two had all the components of an IED in their laptops and two had metal pistols. I wont tell you where the pistols where. But I will say they where both women.