When TSA officers opened this duffle bag, they removed a loaded handgun sitting among a traveler’s clothing. (TSA photo)
ALBANY, N.Y. – A Troy, N.Y., resident was caught with a loaded. 380 caliber gun in his carry-on bag by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Albany International Airport (ALB) on Monday, June 19. The gun was sitting in the man’s duffle bag along with his clothes.
When the TSA officer spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office were alerted, came to the checkpoint and initially confiscated the weapon from the traveler, a resident of Troy, N.Y. Law enforcement officers eventually allowed the man to depart the airport to secure his gun because he had a state gun permit.
The man faces a stiff federal financial penalty for bringing his gun to the airport. Federal penalties can reach as high as $15,000 for bringing a weapon to an airport checkpoint, depending on the circumstances.
“Summer travel season is in full swing and the airport is extremely busy,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for 13 airports in Upstate New York. “Carrying prohibited or illegal items to security checkpoints slows down the security lines for everyone. If you’re flying this summer, it is vitally important to know that the items you have in your carry-on bag are allowed through our security checkpoints. My best advice is that when you’re ready to pack, start with an empty bag so you know with certainty what you’ve got inside and you know that there is nothing prohibited in a side pocket, zippered pouch or just in the bottom of your bag. That goes for backpacks, roller bags, handbags, messenger bags and duffle bags,” he added.
“We’ve seen a noticeable increase in travel volume this month, and I am personally grateful that TSA officers here at Albany and across the country remain focused on their mission. I’m hopeful that this incident serve as a reminder to others who are traveling with a firearm, to take a few moments before you come to the airport to refresh your familiarity with the proper procedures on how to pack a gun for a flight. Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”
Individuals who want to bring their guns with them when they fly need to pack them properly in their checked luggage, and declare them at their airline check-in counter to be transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to firearms during a flight. 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.
Monday’s gun was the third one caught at the airport checkpoint so far this calendar year. Nationwide, TSA has prevented more than 3,000 guns from getting through security checkpoints so far this year. Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. This applies 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. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
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.