9 mm Ruger P94 pistol discovered in carry-on at Boise Airport
BOISE, Idaho - Officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Boise Airport found two firearms Friday morning during the routine X-ray screening of carry-on luggage at the security checkpoint.
The first firearm was a 9 mm Ruger P94 pistol loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition detected in the carry-on luggage of a male passenger ticketed for travel to Denver International Airport. This discovery occurred around 5:30 a.m.
A second firearm was found around 10:25 a.m. in a bag of a male traveler headed to Salt Lake City International Airport. The 9 mm Springfield Armory handgun was loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.
Upon discovery of each firearm, TSA notified officers with the Boise Airport Police Department, who responded to the security checkpoint. They interviewed the travelers and confiscated the weapons.
These are the eighth and ninth firearms discovered by TSA in carry-on luggage at Boise in 2022. At this same point in 2021, TSA officers had detected five firearms in carry-on luggage. In all of 2021, TSA found 31 guns at the Boise Airport security checkpoint.
TSA reminds travelers to be aware of the contents of their bag to ensure they are not bringing firearms, or other prohibited items in carry-on luggage.
“No traveler, at any time, for any reason, should bring a firearm in their carry-on luggage to the security checkpoint. It is past time that firearm owners consider the safety of TSA employees, the airport community and other passengers and follow the rules for traveling with a gun on a commercial aircraft,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho Andy Coose.
TSA reviews the circumstances of firearm incidents and may levy a civil penalty against the passenger. The recommended civil penalty for a firearm starts at $2,050 and can go up to the statutory maximum of more than $10,000 per violation. TSA evaluates each incident on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense, and if there is a repeated history of violations.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames, receivers, clips and magazines are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger should go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
More information on traveling legally with a firearm is available on TSA’s website. For information on how to travel with any type of item, visit TSA’s “Can I Bring” website.