BISMARCK, N.D. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a passenger from bringing two handguns onboard an airplane at Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS) Friday.
These are the first two firearms detected at a BIS checkpoint this year. Three firearms were detected at BIS security checkpoints in total last year.
During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. TSA officials immediately alerted the Bismarck Police Department. A law enforcement officer responded and confiscated the firearm. Both firearms were loaded, and additional ammunition was also discovered in the carry-on bag.
“Passengers are allowed to travel with their firearms and ammunition as long as they follow the proper procedures,” North Dakota TSA Federal Security Director David Durgan said. “Responsible firearm owners always know where their guns are, and they should never bring them to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”
Nationally, more than 6,700 firearms were stopped at airport checkpoints in 2023.
In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to approximately $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hard-sided 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.