AUSTIN – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport prevented a traveler from bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight on Friday, Oct. 20.
The gun was caught as the traveler entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection. The firearm was removed by the Austin Airport Police, and is the 100th firearm found by officers at AUS airport security checkpoints this year.
The traveler also faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
“Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation,” said Gilbert Almaraz, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “People who bring their guns to our checkpoints create a potentially dangerous situation through their own actions. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are and they know not to bring them to a checkpoint.”
Almaraz was at the airport when the transportation security officer located the gun in the passengers’ carry-on bag. He presented the officer with an “Eagle Eye” award to recognize his actions. It was moving and a moment of pride for FSD Almaraz to hear the officer say, “This is the 16th gun I have found in my 20 years with TSA— This is why I come to work.”
In addition to AUS airport, TSA Federal Security Director Almaraz manages airport security operations at Waco Regional Airport (ACT), Amarillo Rick Husband International Airport (AMA), College Station Easterwood Airport (CLL), Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport (GRK), Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB), Midland International Airport and San Angelo Mathis International Airport (MAF). Included is a summary of firearms detected and prevented from making it onboard airplanes in the AUS Airport operational area from Jan. 1 – Oct. 20, 2023.
YTD Firearms
|
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ACT |
3 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
AMA |
17 |
17 |
13 |
8 |
15 |
|
CLL |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
GRK |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
LBB |
16 |
18 |
21 |
11 |
21 |
|
MAF |
28 |
29 |
20 |
18 |
31 |
|
SJT |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
|
AUS |
100 |
150 |
111 |
49 |
79 |
*Figures for 2023 are from January 1 – October
*Figures for 2022 – 2019 are from January 1 – December 31
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case must be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).