CEDAR RAPIDS, IA —The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a loaded firearm at The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) on Sunday, June 9 at the security screening checkpoint.
The Taurus G2 9mm firearm, loaded with four rounds, was detected during x-ray screening. An officer from Eastern Iowa Public Safety responded, interviewed the passenger, and took possession of the weapon. Any determination about a criminal charge is up to law enforcement.
“This is another good opportunity to remind passengers that firearms cannot be transported through TSA security checkpoints,” said TSA Iowa Acting Federal Security Director John Bright. “However, passengers can travel with them in a checked bag, if they are declared to the airline at the ticket counter and properly packed in a locked, hard-sided container.”
TSA can assess a civil penalty of up to $13,333 per violation. Factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded. Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA Pre✓® expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time.
This is the third firearm discovered at CID so far this year. In 2018, TSA intercepted three total firearms at the CID checkpoint. TSA found a record-breaking 4,239 firearms--an average of 11.6 per day--at airport security checkpoints around the country in 2018, a 7 percent increase over 2017.
For more information, visit the prohibited items and firearms and ammunition pages at tsa.gov.