Question about flying/declaring a firearm with a layover flight.

I've searched google over and over and still can't find an answer.Next week I will be flying from Detroit to Birmingham, AL with a layover flight in Atlanta. My question is, when I get to Atlanta where I'll catch a connecting flight, does my firearm automatically get loaded onto the next plane or do I have to go retrieve it from baggage claim, go to some other counter and declare it again? I would hope it's just loaded onto the next flight but I have no idea.I've never checked a firearm for a flight before and I figured this short work trip would be a good learning experience. via /r/CCW https://ift.tt/2DahQvn