DES MOINES, Iowa — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a loaded firearm early this morning at the security screening checkpoint at Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
The firearm, a 9mm Glock loaded with five rounds, was discovered by TSA Transportation Security Officers during X-ray screening of a passenger’s carry-on bag at the checkpoint. Per standard procedure, TSA alerted law enforcement. The Des Moines Police Department responded, took possession of the weapon and cited the passenger on a local charge. The passenger rebooked on a later flight.
“This is the fourth firearm we’ve found at the Des Moines International Airport security checkpoint already this year, compared to six we found in all of 2017,” said TSA Iowa Federal Security Director David Dailey. “So this is a good time to remind passengers that you can’t bring a firearm to a security checkpoint, which will result in a referral to law enforcement and a civil penalty from TSA.”
TSA has the authority to level a civil penalty of up to $13,000 against a passenger who brings a firearm to an airport security checkpoint. Ammunition, firearm parts and realistic replicas, also cannot be carried through any TSA security checkpoint. Firearms, as well as these items, are allowed in checked bags, if declared to the airline and properly packed in a locked, hard-sided container.
TSA found a record-breaking 3,957 firearms at airport security checkpoints around the country in 2017, a 17 percent increase over 2016.
For more information, visit http://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/prohibited-items and http://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition at www.tsa.gov.