MINNEAPOLIS — A Transportation Security Administration officer at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) stopped two loaded handguns in separate incidents on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The officer detected the first gun in a carry-on bag in the checkpoint X-ray machine at 4:45 a.m. In his same shift and in the same lane, at 10:55 a.m., the officer spotted another firearm in another passenger’s bag. In both cases, MSP Airport Police were alerted, responded to the checkpoint, and confiscated the weapons.
“Our TSA officers continue to do an outstanding job detecting these weapons, but any time dangerous items are presented in the checkpoint, we have serious safety concerns for all in the area, and the resolution disrupts the screening process for the passengers waiting behind the offender,” said Marty Robinson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Minnesota. “Individuals who own firearms should familiarize themselves with regulations regarding where their weapons can and cannot be carried.”
So far this year, TSA officers have stopped nine firearms at MSP checkpoints. In 2022, 58 firearms were stopped over the entire year.
TSA recently announced that the penalty for bringing weapons to the airport increased and can reach as high as $14,950, depending on the circumstances. TSA determines the penalty amount for a violation based on the circumstances in each case. TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
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.