Last Monday afternoon, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) found an anti-tank rifle in checked luggage. The rifle, described to be an 84mm calibre weapon, resembled a Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle. The presence of the undeclared rifle has been tipped to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
Although it is legal to possess an anti-tank rifle in Texas, provided that the owner clears crucial background checks and registers the weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), one must declare the presence of the weapon prior to having the luggage checked in with the airline. In addition, at the bare minimum, guns in checked baggage must be unloaded, locked, and stored in a hard-sided container. (Note that gun laws vary by state.) Information about transporting firearms and ammunition can be found here.
With that being said, the owner of the weapon, who was en route to Las Vegas for the Shooting and Hunting Outdoor Trade Show, was able to provide paperwork to indicate that the rifle was demilitarised. He managed to rebook his flight to Vegas, although a family member had to retrieve the anti-tank rifle instead. There are no charges pending from SAPD at this time.