A lot of people who don't want to lie (which may not be illegal, but I wouldn't recommend it personally) will get a starter pistol. They're cheap, small, safe (don't fire rounds, just blanks) and legally have to be declared as a firearm to fly. So you buy a starter pistol and stick it with your nice camera when you fly. It will be locked with something only you can open and will probably be handled more carefully in transit