Can I carry on a commercial flight?

[OCResident]

Q: Can a licensed CA CCW holder carry oboard a commercial airline? What about a LEO?

This probably goes without saying, but no. Any CCW holder that tries to carry through airport security will find that their CCW magically expires very soon after. Probably their freedom too.


Why?

U.S. Government Code – Title 49, Chapter 26, Section 1472(1) and Federal Aviation Regulation 121.583, a license to carry a concealed weapon does not authorize a person to carry a firearm...aboard commercial airlines. [As of 3/2007]

LEOs wishing to travel armed are advised to seek advice elsewhere on this issue. That being said, here is some guidance:

Feds fly armed all the time. City County and State must fly in the perfomance of their duties. A letter from the chief, proof of the FAA training class and a three part LEO letter.

About Artesia — Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

You are reminded that all Federal law enforcement officers must be in compliance with 14 CFR Part 108 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. These governing regulations place certain restrictions on both airlines and federal law enforcement officials. Under these regulations, law enforcement officers in official travel status who are required to report armed and immediately ready for duty are permitted to travel armed (weapon in their immediate control) on board a commercial aircraft. These are additional qualifying conditions for flying armed, including: agency firearms authorization based upon arrest authority, completion of a certified training course covering Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines and alcohol abstinence. Additionally, you must present proper credentials and complete required airline forms.

LEOs carrying weapons in their checked baggage seem to require the same procedures as non-LEOs.

Note, however,

Mace, Pepper (OC), and other chemical agents are prohibited on board aircraft.

The information in this FAQ post should be considered "as-is" and is not guaranteed to be accurate in any way. The maintainers of this site make an effort, when possible, to try to verify the information, but we are not lawyers and, therefore, we cannot and will not give legal advice. If you need accurate answers, hire an attorney who is licensed in the state in question that specializes in firearms. It is completely up to the reader to verify ALL information contained in this FAQ post.