TSA officers detected this loaded .38 caliber handgun in a woman’s carry-on bag at Philadelphia International Airport on Dec. 15. (TSA photo)
PHILADELPHIA – Transportation Security Administration officers at Philadelphia International Airport have stopped two guns from getting past checkpoints and onto airplanes in the last two days.
A woman was caught with a .38 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets on Sunday, Dec. 15, and a man was caught with a 9mm handgun loaded with 14 bullets, including one in the chamber on Monday, Dec. 16. In each instance, TSA contacted the police, which came to the checkpoints, confiscated the guns and detained the individuals for questioning before citing them on weapons charges.
It marked the 19th and 20th guns that TSA officers have detected in a carry-on bag at the airport so far this year.
Airport | Guns caught in 2018 | Guns caught in 2019 (As of 12-16-19) |
Philadelphia International | 25 | 20 |
When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.
Nationwide last year, 4,239 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 11.6 firearms per day, approximately a 7% increase nationally in firearm discoveries from the total of 3,957 detected in 2017. Eighty-six percent of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded and nearly 34% had a bullet in the chamber.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags. If an individual is a TSA Pre✓® member, that person could even lose TSA Pre✓® status. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of penalties is posted online.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.