Airline flights and trace from discharging firearms

Snakedoctor

Snakedoctor

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Hi everyone,

First of all I want to apologize if this a repost and my title is kind of akward I know, but please bear with me. I have been seeking the answer to my question for a while now and I can't seem to find any specific answers so I was hoping fellow CGN members here may help me. When I went target shooting for the first time a while ago, a fellow shooter at the range told me that I should wait 10 days before I decide to travel by air. The reason is because I would have traces of explosives that are still on me that would be transfered from discharging a firearm, and it will eventually set off the trace detectors that are in placed at airport screening. Logically, I can see how this would make sense however, I like to hear from fellow members here that may have some experience or knowledge in this area than me.

Thanks
 
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Last year I was being securityized, for a flight to Newfoundland, & they swabbed my wheelchair. It took about half an hour for me to prove beyond a doubt that the traces of propellant were from recreational shooting. I asked if this information might be kept on file to help speed up any similar delays in the future. I was told that each time I tested positive for propellants it would be treated as a new incident complete with interrogation. I'm just going to show up an hour earlier next time.
 
When leaving Victoria a couple of years ago, "Security" took away my mother in laws plastic whistle and then swabbed my camera bag....a bag that goes to the range with my every weekend....they found nothing and then asked me why I was laughing!

Scott
 
You're not allowed to laugh at airport security counters. If you do you won't look like your passport picture and they'll take you away for a full cavity search:rolleyes:

I have been swabbed a few times because I often wear the same multipocketed vest at the range and when travelling. They really got excited once when they found a spent .22 case that had gotten in...
 
I've had my range finder and spotting scope swabbed a lot. Never been positive, but I've gotten some shocked looks when I mention that it might be.:eek:
 
I was travelling in uniform once and they got all pissy about the traces...I kinda lost it on them. Really, some security guard that can barely speak english, cannot recognize the uniform when he sees it, and has no peace officer status giving me a hard time...laughable...
 
I broke my foot once and had one of those plastic casts on my foot so they had to swab me. I had been at the range in the morning, showered and changed my clothes before the flight I had no problem.
Maybe your fellow shooter didn't believe in showers.
 
firemachine69 said:
Is this even a serious question?

If you even remotely questioned the factuality of that, you're incredibly gullible, my friend. ;)
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Not quite, my friend. When I worked with explosives (in the siesmic industry, I hauled them) I had to get a NOTARIZED letter from my employer's head office in the US to account for residues when I went to Las Vegas.

My employer had sent out an e-mail to ALL employees saying, in effect, "If you are travelling to the US, call us and we will send you a letter saying that Yes, this person DOES work with explosives for us on a regular basis, so that will account for any explosives residues you may find on said person".

The US is quite particular on that point.
 
Interesting question. I never thought about it too much and if someone questioned, I would just tell the truth and went to the shooting range.

Flew to Cali for a week. Went to the range almost everyday, jumped on plane to Arizona and shot plenty more and my cousin checked in 4 handguns and 10-15lbs of ammo. Flew back to Cali and shot some more and flew back home some days later. Nothing happened to me. Phew!

BTW, first 2 days, no showers, we smelt like gun powder, even the rental car. Last day, had shower. But doubt it made difference to detectors.
 
As others have mentioned: Take a shower, wash your clothes & you should be ok... I do work in the airline business (albeit a not as a security guard). Lots of hunters & competition shooters get on flights with their firearms checked in without a problem. Once came back to Ontario for a hunt with hunting rifle & gear going around on the carousel when I got there... That didn't seem to be a problem either...?
 
I spent a day in Israel firing thousands of rds of full auto, then went to the airport and was swabbed, no hit. Got a hell of a grilling from a gorgeous (as usual in IL) trainee inspector however. But her trainer was walking her through everything in the book.
 
They don't swab for propellant, they swab for explosives (thats from the screener guy I asked). Half the time I go through security they wind up dumping out empty casings from my carry on, they swab, never had a 'positive'.
 
shredder said:
Not quite, my friend. When I worked with explosives (in the siesmic industry, I hauled them) I had to get a NOTARIZED letter from my employer's head office in the US to account for residues when I went to Las Vegas.

My employer had sent out an e-mail to ALL employees saying, in effect, "If you are travelling to the US, call us and we will send you a letter saying that Yes, this person DOES work with explosives for us on a regular basis, so that will account for any explosives residues you may find on said person".

The US is quite particular on that point.
Click to expand...




High-heat explosives, and gun propellant, are NOT the same thing. That's the point I was making.

Case in Point: I brought my oversized rifle case to the screening area prior to my flight back, they asked for me to PROVE it safe (it already was, of course).

This, after I had been playing around with the rifle (test-fired at the factory and NOT cleaned), plus manipulating rounds of ammo in my hotel room (not at the same time of course).
 
Couple of weeks back went to the range in California one evening, got up early next day, no shower, early flight, no problem. I always wash hands well right away just because of the lube,lead......
 
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