MILWAUKEE - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a firearm and ammunition in a passenger’s belongings at a security checkpoint in Mitchell International Airport (MKE) Monday.
At 8:07 p.m., during the X-ray of the passenger’s bag, checkpoint screeners detected a loaded .38 caliber firearm with six rounds of ammunition. TSA officers contacted the Milwaukee County Sheriff Office who questioned the Wisconsin man and confiscated the gun. The traveler stated he forgot the weapon was in his bag and law enforcement officers issued him a citation.
“Firearms are not allowed at our TSA security checkpoints,” said Mark Lendvay Wisconsin’s TSA Federal Security Director. “Our highly trained officers will continue to remain vigilant during this pandemic to stop prohibited items at our airports.”
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at check-in. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.
This is the fourth firearm detected by TSA officers at MKE security checkpoints in 2020. A total of 16 firearms were detected during screenings last year.
Individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges. 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. Guns are prohibited items in airports and in the passenger compartments of airplanes, even with state-issued concealed firearm permits.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA. The civil penalties are posted online.
For more information about TSA prohibited and allowed carry-on items please follow these links:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition