I have just watched a TV documentary about Stansted, during which a (perfectly legal) gun was found in some checked in baggage. It was properly packed in a hard gun case and packed within softer articles in the case. The owner of the bag was called down and his already open bag was displayed to him. The only reason that the (unloaded, gas powered) gun was highlighted was that although legal in both UK and the destination country, the airline had a rule about not carrying guns. How I wonder, was the owner supposed to transport his sporting gun to his destination if airlines won't carry them?
I gave up locking my suitcases years ago on the premise that luggage padlocks are useless anyway. I simply use a keyring to secure(?) the cases.