Flying with firearms: My first time

By Joanne Heathcote 

As a new firearms owner, I wanted to share what it was like flying solo with my rifle for the first time. Between the strict rules, confusing online forms and all the ‘what-ifs’ at the airport, the whole thing felt a bit daunting. 

I’d only had my Wedgetail MPR Mini .223 and Pulsar Thermion 2 DUO DXP50 thermal scope for a few months, so I was still finding my feet with the gear — let alone airport procedures. 
What followed was a mix of rookie mistakes, unexpected ease and a few lessons learnt. Click here to read about Joanne’s experience.

Firearms vs ammunition: What you really need approval for 

Contrary to what I originally thought, you don’t need special Dangerous Goods approval to fly with a rifle — as long as it’s unloaded, rendered inoperable (like removing the bolt), and locked in a secure hard or soft case. 

You do need Dangerous Goods approval for ammunition, since it’s classified as a regulated item. 

The night before my flight, I rang Qantas because I couldn’t find the Dangerous Goods form on its website. Even with help, it took some digging to locate. The staff member mentioned approval could take up to a week — cue mild panic. I scrambled to complete the online form, fearing I’d left it too late. Thankfully, Qantas processed the approval within a few hours. Crisis averted! 

For anyone new to flying with firearms, here’s a quick breakdown of the key requirements. 

 Firearms: 

• Must be unloaded and inoperable (e.g. bolt removed). 
• Must be secured in a locked case, separate from other baggage. 
• You must present a valid firearms licence or permit at check-in. 

 Ammunition: 

• Requires airline/operator approval. 
• A copy of the approval must be carried and shown at check-in. 
• Must be securely packed — usually in original packaging or an approved container. 
• Limited to 5kg per passenger. 

 General: 

• Firearms and ammunition must be declared at check-in. 
• Airline procedures vary, so always check your airline’s website in advance. 
• Some airlines, including Qantas, may allow an extra piece of baggage for firearms, within your weight allowance. 

Locking it all down 

I packed my setup into an SKB iSeries Single Rifle Case that my partner bought online from Hard Cases Australia — airline-approved, ultra-durable, and a manageable size. One of the things I love about the MPR Mini is how easily it breaks down, allowing the rifle and thermal scope to fit snugly inside the compact case. The whole setup came in at just less than 11kg, making it much easier to carry. 

A friend also recommended I lock the checked luggage containing my ammunition. I’m not sure if it’s a formal requirement, but I wasn’t taking any chances. Better safe than sorry. 

Check-in: Surprisingly smooth 

I arrived at the Qantas check-in counter early, bracing for a lengthy process. To my surprise, the woman behind the desk was calm and friendly. It was her first time checking in ammunition, so she called a colleague to assist. 

I asked whether my luggage bag — with the ammunition inside — needed to go somewhere special. Instead, they grabbed some tape, stuck it to the handle, and scrawled “AMMO” in big, bold letters across it. Then off it went with the regular luggage! I didn’t expect them to broadcast that I was carrying ammunition. 

The rifle case, on the other hand, was wrapped at both ends with bright yellow tape marked “QANTAS: Deliver to Baggage Services.” I then took it to the oversized baggage counter, as required. 

Nerves on arrival 

After landing, I joined the line at the main baggage carousel, eager to collect my bag boldly labelled ‘AMMO’. After the usual long wait, I wasted no time grabbing it off the belt, ripping the tag off to avoid attracting unwanted attention, and made my way to the oversized baggage area. 

My anxiety spiked when my rifle case wasn’t immediately visible. For a split second, I imagined the worst — had someone walked off with it? Could that even happen? 

Thankfully, it turns out firearms aren’t just left sitting around. When I showed my baggage tag to staff, they radioed through to the handlers. A security officer arrived, checked my firearms licence, and carefully matched my ID and baggage ticket to the case label before releasing it. 

The process was professional and secure — but that short wait definitely got my heart rate up. 

Final thoughts 

In the end, my first flight with a firearm and ammunition was far less stressful than I’d expected — even with the last-minute Dangerous Goods approval and a few newbie mistakes. The Qantas team were courteous and professional, and my gear arrived safe and sound. 

On the return trip, I was far more relaxed. When you’ve done this process once, it really isn’t a big deal, as long as you’re organised and follow the rules. 

If you’re preparing to fly with firearms, here are my key takeaways: 

• Don’t leave Dangerous Goods approval for ammunition to the last minute. 
• Lock everything securely and follow every condition to the letter. 
• Keep ammunition and firearms in separate cases. 
• Go straight to Oversized Baggage after landing. 

Flying with firearms isn’t difficult; it just takes a bit of planning and the right setup. And now that I’ve done it once, I won’t think twice about doing it again.