Lloyd, I do it both ways but if it is practical I am much more comfortable shipping the gun to where I plan to use it so I'm sure it has arrived before I leave. And Invariably when I return home I seem to have a more cavalier attitude and risk it in checked baggage. No big deal if it's late arriving home.....if it arrives at all.....

When an old man dies a library burns to the ground. (Old African proverb)