DETROIT - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered a firearm and ammunition in a passenger’s belongings at a security checkpoint in Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) Tuesday.
At 10:35 p.m., during the X-ray screening of the passenger’s bag, the TSA officer detected a loaded .38 caliber firearm with two magazines of ammunition. TSA officers contacted law enforcement officers who questioned the Ohio man and confiscated the gun. The traveler was cited and missed his departing flight.
“Firearms are never allowed at our TSA security checkpoints and should be properly checked in with your airline according to their rules and regulations,” said Steve Lorincz Detroit’s TSA Federal Security Director. “Travelers are solely responsible for the contents of their carry-on baggage and should perform a double-check before arriving at the airport security checkpoint.”
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at check-in with the airline. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, and locked. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.
TSA officers have detected 15 firearms at DTW security checkpoints in 2020. A total of 47 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 the passenger cabins of airplanes, even with state-issued concealed firearm permits.
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