Update On Procedures For Flying While Armed

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated the procedures for state and local officers to fly armed aboard commercial aircraft, requiring the sending of  National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System  (NLETS) messages to TSA prior to travel. They have sent an announcement of these new procedures to state and local agencies, and these changes may be found in upcoming training material.

The new procedures do not apply to federal officers. Rangers and agents are not required to follow them and are not required to send an NLETS message prior to travel.  This notice is being distributed in anticipation of potential confusion that could occur should someone see these procedures and mistakenly believe that they apply to federal officers.

If procedures are revised for federal officers, we will provide training updates and distribute them widely.