CEDAR RAPIDS —The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a loaded firearm at The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) this morning at the security screening checkpoint. This is the fourth firearm found at the CID checkpoint this year, surpassing the total of three in 2018.
The Glock 43, loaded with six 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.
TSA also reviews the incident and 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.
There is a way for passengers to travel with a firearm, but only in a checked bag, if it is 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.
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.