Keith Mack
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the Federal Air Marshal program was introduced to prevent skyjackings. This program consists of specially trained armed teams of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) civil aviation security specialists. However, the cost of deploying these air marshals on every domestic flight is extremely high. As a result, law enforcement officers who are already flying for other reasons can be authorized to act as Air Marshals. These officers must meet specific criteria and complete training to qualify for flying with firearms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Law enforcement officers carrying firearms on airplanes | Must meet all federal qualifications to fly armed, unless otherwise authorized by TSA |
| Must be a federal law enforcement officer or a full-time government agency employee at the municipal, county, state, tribal, or territorial level | |
| Must be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration statutes | |
| Must be authorized by the employing agency to have the weapon in connection with assigned duties | |
| Must complete the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course | |
| Must present an operational need to have the weapon accessible from the time of checking it in until the time it is claimed after deplaning | |
| Must submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System message at least 24 hours prior to travel | |
| Retired law enforcement officers carrying firearms on airplanes | Excluded from flying armed |
| Must place their non-loaded weapon inside a locked gun case and place it inside checked luggage | |
| Must declare the weapon with the airline at the time of check-in | |
| Air Marshals carrying firearms on airplanes | Must be an approved applicant who has completed a comprehensive training program and been issued Air Marshal status by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| Should notify the booking agent of their authorized Air Marshal status without disclosing their name or seat assignment until moments prior to departure |
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What You'll Learn
- Law enforcement officers must meet federal qualifications to fly armed
- Retired officers must place unloaded weapons in locked cases in checked luggage
- Federal Air Marshal program: armed teams of Federal Aviation Administration specialists
- Law enforcement officers must complete the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course
- State, local, territorial, tribal and approved railroad law enforcement officers must submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System message 24 hours before flying armed
Law enforcement officers must meet federal qualifications to fly armed
Firstly, the officer must be a federal law enforcement officer or a full-time municipal, county, state, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officer who is a direct government agency employee. They must be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration statutes and be authorized by their employing agency to have the weapon in connection with their assigned duties.
Secondly, the officer must have completed the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course. This course ensures that officers are aware of the policies and procedures regarding the safe handling and transportation of firearms while flying.
Additionally, municipal, county, state, tribal, or territorial officers must demonstrate an operational need to have their weapon accessible during the entire duration of the flight. This need must be determined by the employing agency and based on specific criteria, such as being assigned to a protective duty or travelling to a location where they will need immediate access to their weapon upon arrival.
Finally, law enforcement agencies must select a single instructor or point-of-contact to request training material and instruct their officers on the federal regulations regarding flying armed. This individual must be a full-time law enforcement officer who meets the instructor qualification standards of their agency and must submit a request for training materials using a government email address.
By meeting these federal qualifications, law enforcement officers can ensure they are compliant with the necessary regulations when flying armed.
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Retired officers must place unloaded weapons in locked cases in checked luggage
While HR 218 permits retired officers to carry a weapon, they are excluded from flying armed. Therefore, retired law enforcement officers must place their unloaded weapons in locked cases in checked luggage. This is a mandatory requirement, and failure to comply may result in legal consequences.
To comply with the regulations, retired officers should ensure their firearms are unloaded before placing them in a locked hard-sided case. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific requirements for these cases, and it is essential to purchase a TSA-approved option. This ensures that the case meets the necessary security standards and helps to avoid any potential issues when travelling. It is also crucial to keep your firearm in good working order and maintain proficiency, even when travelling.
Once the unloaded weapon is securely locked away, it must be placed inside checked luggage. Retired officers are not permitted to carry firearms in their carry-on baggage or have them easily accessible during the flight. The checked luggage containing the firearm must be declared to the airline during check-in. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the airline is aware of the weapon's presence and can take any necessary measures or make special arrangements if needed.
In addition to following these procedures, retired officers should also stay up to date with any changes in relevant laws and regulations. The requirements for transporting firearms can vary across different states and modes of transportation. Therefore, it is essential to educate yourself on the specific laws that apply to your particular travel circumstances. Keeping your LEOSA qualification card current and obtaining LEOSA/Concealed Carry insurance are also recommended steps to ensure compliance and protection.
By adhering to these guidelines, retired law enforcement officers can ensure they are following the proper protocols when travelling with firearms. Placing unloaded weapons in locked cases within checked luggage is a key aspect of these regulations, prioritising the safety and security of all individuals involved.
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Federal Air Marshal program: armed teams of Federal Aviation Administration specialists
The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the supervision of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Federal Air Marshal Service began on March 2, 1962, as the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Peace Officers Program, deploying the initial group of 18 volunteer law enforcement officers from the FAA's Flight Standards Division. They received training from the U.S. Border Patrol at Port Isabel, Texas, and later went through recurrent yearly training in Brownsville, Texas.
In 1961, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. presented the idea of armed security forces on commercial flights. President John F. Kennedy ordered federal law enforcement officers to be deployed to act as security officers on certain high-risk flights. The Federal Air Marshal Service was thus born, and it became an integral part of the Civil Aviation Security Division of the FAA. As early as 1963, after an article in FAA Horizons Magazine, the FAA peace officers were referred to as Sky Marshals internally within the FAA.
Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) are deployed to assess, address, and mitigate varying potential risks and threats to transportation and travellers. They are highly trained, dedicated personnel who protect the nation's transportation system and provide law enforcement augmentation to transportation and national security priorities. They must train to be highly proficient marksmen, blending in with other passengers on board aircraft and relying heavily on their training, including investigative techniques, criminal terrorist behaviour recognition, firearms proficiency, aircraft-specific tactics, and close-quarters self-defense measures to protect the flying public.
To support the mission of TSA and LE/FAMS, Federal Air Marshals hold assignments at various headquarters locations, including liaison opportunities within DHS and with other federal law enforcement partners. They also serve as important members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), assisting in investigations of potential terrorist-related activities and suspicious incidents.
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Law enforcement officers must complete the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course
Law enforcement officers (LEOs) must complete the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course to meet federal regulations to fly armed. The course is designed to prepare LEOs for the specific challenges and safety protocols of flying while armed. It covers relevant federal regulations, safety procedures, and emergency response protocols.
The TSA requires that all law enforcement officers meet specific criteria before they can be authorized to fly with their firearms. Firstly, they must be federal law enforcement officers or full-time municipal, county, state, tribal, or territorial law enforcement officers who are direct government agency employees. They must also be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration statutes and be authorized by their employing agency to have the weapon in connection with their assigned duties.
The employing agency plays a crucial role in authorizing its officers to fly armed. The agency must first select a single instructor or point-of-contact to request training material from the TSA. This individual must be a full-time law enforcement officer who meets the instructor qualification standards of their agency. They are responsible for instructing their fellow officers and ensuring they meet federal regulations.
To obtain the training material, the instructor/point-of-contact must complete a request form, send the request from a government email address, and, in some cases, submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System message at least 24 hours before travel. The training material covers the specific protocols and procedures for flying armed, including any required paperwork, such as Person Carrying Firearm (PCFA) forms.
Completing the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course is a mandatory step for law enforcement officers who need to fly with their firearms. This training ensures that officers are aware of and can adhere to the strict safety protocols and federal regulations governing this type of travel. By following these procedures, LEOs can ensure they meet the necessary standards to safely carry out their duties while flying.
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State, local, territorial, tribal and approved railroad law enforcement officers must submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System message 24 hours before flying armed
Law enforcement officers are permitted to carry firearms on airplanes in certain circumstances. However, they must meet specific federal qualifications and adhere to the policies and directives of their employing agency. To carry a firearm on an airplane, a law enforcement officer must be a full-time federal, municipal, county, state, tribal, territorial, or railroad law enforcement officer who is a direct government agency employee. They must be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration statutes and be authorized by their agency to carry a weapon in connection with their assigned duties.
Additionally, municipal, county, state, tribal, and territorial officers must demonstrate an operational need to have their weapon accessible at all times during travel. This need must be determined by the employing agency and based on specific criteria, such as protective duties or official travel requirements.
For State, local, territorial, tribal, and approved railroad law enforcement officers, there is an additional requirement to submit a National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) message at least 24 hours before flying armed. This NLETS message replaces the original Letter of Authority, also known as the "Chief's Letter." Failure to submit this message within the specified timeframe will result in denial of entry to the sterile area for non-compliance with the Letter of Authority.
The NLETS message is part of the Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed training program, which provides a structured lesson plan, slide presentation, FAQs, NLETS procedures, and applicable codes of federal regulation. This training ensures that law enforcement officers are properly instructed on the regulations and procedures for flying armed on commercial aircraft.
It is important to note that retired law enforcement officers are not permitted to fly armed. They must place their unloaded weapon in a locked gun case inside their checked luggage and declare it to the airline during check-in.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, law enforcement officers can carry firearms on airplanes, but they must meet all federal qualifications to fly armed, unless otherwise authorized by the TSA.
The requirements vary depending on the type of law enforcement officer and the agency they work for. However, some general requirements include being a federal law enforcement officer or a full-time government agency employee, being sworn to enforce criminal or immigration statutes, and having completed the necessary training, such as the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course.
Yes, law enforcement officers must notify the airline and complete any required paperwork, such as Person Carrying Firearm (PCFA) forms. They may also need to present acceptable credentials and demonstrate an operational need to have the weapon accessible during the flight.
Retired law enforcement officers are not permitted to fly armed. They must place their unloaded weapon in a locked gun case inside their checked luggage and declare it to the airline during check-in.
