JACKSONVILLE – Holiday travel, especially at Jacksonville International Airport, is expected to be busy, so the Transportation Security Administration wanted to remind passengers of the proper way to fly with firearms and ammo.

Yes, travelers can fly with their firearms, but there’s a right way to do it.

More than 750 firearms have been detected at TSA security checkpoints in 19 airports across Florida this year. A record 854 guns were found last year.

At JAX, TSA officers detected 68 firearms in 2023 and 73 last year.

The trend could continue upward, with passenger volume meeting and exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage only. When checking your bag at the ticket counter, you must declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure it when it is transported in checked baggage.

Contact AskTSA or TSA Contact Center with questions about TSA firearm regulations and what you may transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.

When traveling, comply with the laws concerning the possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.

If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements before traveling.

Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.

Firearms must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container, and transported as checked baggage only. A loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber, cylinder or magazine inserted in the firearm. For civil enforcement purposes, TSA also considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger. For example, suppose an individual has a firearm in an accessible baggage and ammunition in their pocket, or any combination where the individual has access to both. In that case, the firearm is considered “loaded” to assess a civil penalty. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint.

Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage but may be transported in checked baggage.

Replica firearms, including toy replicas, may be transported in checked baggage only.

Rifle scopes can be in carry-on and checked baggage.

For more information, visit tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition.