I am so sick of seeing the pro-gun people and con-gun people duke it out over gun rights. Let's move on, shall we? Would you guys get off your soapboxes and stop preaching?
It amazes me how cuttthroat everyone gets over this stuff. My boyfriend and I have completely opposite views on guns and gun control and we manage not to rip each other's throats out over it, why can't you?
The poster asked a polite question and I'm sure would appreciate a nice answer. My answer is talk to the airline about it. They will know what you can and cannot do.

nina & traveling man: No, I do not have children at home (at my age the question should be asked regarding grandchildren, but the answer is the same for them also) nor are there ever any children in my house who are not under close supervision. I freely admit that my system is not proof against curious and inventive kids with lots of unsupervised time on their hands and I do not recommend it as such. My intention is to avoid the situation in which an intruder gets to the loaded gun before I can, and that's all.

ttt for personal freedom.