Wichita, Kan. — In separate incidents this week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered two loaded firearms at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) at the security screening checkpoint.
On Sunday, March 25, TSA discovered a .38 caliber Ruger LCR firearm, loaded with five rounds, and on Thursday, March 29, TSA officers intercepted a 9mm Glock, loaded with six rounds. Both were detected during x-ray screening at the checkpoint. When TSA finds a firearm at a security checkpoint, local law enforcement is notified. At ICT, the Wichita Airport Police department responds, takes possession of the weapon and interviews the individual.
“Firearms are not allowed at airport security checkpoints,” said TSA Kansas Federal Security Director Jay Brainard. “They can only be transported in a checked bag, if declared to the airline at the ticket counter and properly packed in a locked, hard-sided container.” Firearm parts, ammunition, and realistic replicas also are not allowed through security checkpoints, but can travel in checked bags.
The two catches this week bring the total number to seven firearms discovered at ICT so far this year. In calendar year 2017, TSA found four firearms at ICT. Nationwide in 2017, TSA officers found 3,957 firearms in carry-on bags at airports across the nation, an average of almost 11 per day.
TSA has the authority to levy a civil penalty of up to $13,000 against a passenger who brings a firearm to the checkpoint. The average civil penalty for carrying a loaded firearm to a checkpoint is $3,900. Any determination about a criminal charge is up to law enforcement. For more information, visit the prohibited items and firearms and ammunition pages at tsa.gov.