How Do I Check In With A Firearm

Continental accepts one item of shooting equipment per customer as checked baggage. One item of shooting equipment is defined as one hard-sided shooting equipment case containing up to five firearms, with or without scopes, 11 lbs (five Kgs.) of ammunition and articles used in the firearm sport.

• Firearms will be accepted only from a customer who is 18 years of age or older.
• International firearm regulations vary by destination and transiting country. Contact appropriate consulates or embassies to obtain specific entry requirements applicable to destination(s).
  • Firearms are not accepted to/from Israel.
  • Firearms are not accepted to/from Denmark
  • For travel to/from the United Kingdom, pistols, rifles and shotguns must be packed in a hard side rifle case.
  • Customers traveling to/through Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) with checked firearms/ammunition must obtain permission from the Netherlands Consulate/Embassy in their country of origin prior to departure. Weapons are subject to confiscation in Amsterdam unless the owner can show all required permits. Customers traveling on military orders with checked firearms may do so without prior consent from Dutch Customs. Checked military ammunition is forbidden. For your convenience, the application for permission is available for download in Adobe PDF format.
• Curbside check-in of a firearm is not permitted.
• The firearm must be packaged in a hard-sided container capable of being locked. The container must be locked and the key or combination must remain in the customer's possession. If a hard-sided container is needed, see the container section of this site.
• Handguns must be packed in hard-side lockable luggage. Baggage containing handguns must be locked at the time of acceptance by Continental Airlines and the key or combination retained in the passenger's custody.
• The firearm will be transported in a section of the aircraft that is inaccessible to the customer. Proof of registration is not required.
• Firearms carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.
• No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container. Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container.

If applicable, the first or second bag fee applies to checked firearms.

Yes, you have to declare a firearm when you check in to the ticketing desk.  Failing to do so can result in heavy fines and even jail time.  It will need to be put in your checked baggage.