This loaded handgun was detected by TSA officers at Philadelphia International Airport in November 2022. (TSA photo)
PHILADELPHIA--Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working at Philadelphia International Airport continue to see travelers bringing their guns to the airport in their carry-on luggage and TSA wants to remind travelers of the proper and legal way to transport firearms for their flights.
TSA officers at Philadelphia International Airport detected 44 guns in carry-on luggage in 2022. The 44 guns caught set a record for the most guns that were detected at the airport’s security checkpoint in the 21-year history of TSA. Thirty-three of those guns, 75 percent, were loaded.
“Our TSA officers are good at their jobs in helping to ensure that passengers get to their destinations safely and get home safely,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. Each firearm caught has been discovered during the routine screening of carry-on items at the airport checkpoint. During the first nine days of 2023 already our officers have prevented two travelers from bringing their guns onto airplanes.”
When a TSA officer spots the image of a handgun on the x-ray monitor, TSA immediately alerts the local police, which responds to the security checkpoint and resolves the matter. In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face stiff federal civil penalties for bringing guns to the security checkpoint. TSA evaluates each gun incident on a case-by-case basis.
“The most common excuse we hear is that someone claims that they forgot that they had their loaded gun with them,” said Spero. “If you own a firearm, you should know where it is at all times. It is part of being a responsible gun owner. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not allowed to board an airplane with the gun in carry-on luggage. The idea is that nobody should have access to a gun during a flight. However, you can transport it with checked baggage if you do so properly.”
TSA Firearms Caught at the Philadelphia International Airport checkpoint, 2017 to 2022
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Guns caught at PHL security checkpoints |
35 |
25 |
20 |
26 |
39 |
44 |
Guns can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane. Additionally, replica firearms also are prohibited in carry-on baggage and also must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts.
“Prior to traveling, individuals who want to transport their firearm should do some homework and check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with all local and state laws,” Spero advised. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements for transporting firearms.
Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. Citations for carrying a weapon can reach $15,000, depending on the circumstances. These civil penalties apply to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online.
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with guns will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked.
TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition posted on its website.
TSA reminds passengers to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, either or neither.
Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.