LINTHICUM, Md.-- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport intercepted a loaded handgun on Sunday, May 26, that was in possession of a retail shop employee who works at the airport.
The 9mm gun was loaded with eight bullets when TSA officers detected the firearm among the retail worker’s belongings when he was screened at the checkpoint on his way to work.
Airport police were contacted, responded to the checkpoint where they confiscated the firearm, cited the Baltimore man on firearm charges and took possession of the man’s airport identification badge. Without the badge, the man is unable to work at the airport.
“This was a good catch on the part of our TSA officers as it addressed a possible insider threat situation,” explained Christopher Murgia, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland. “Similar to passengers, individuals who work at the airport are prohibited from bringing any prohibited items onto the secure side of the checkpoint. We are always on alert for employees who may have possible bad intentions, which could possibly represent a threat to aviation security.”
In addition to losing his ID badge, which prevents him from working at the airport, the individual also faces a possible federal financial civil citation, which could cost thousands of dollars.
“Airports across the country have been extremely busy during the Memorial Day Weekend travel period and our officers have remained vigilant in focusing on their mission,” Murgia said. “We want people to get to their destinations safely and get home safely.”
Sunday marked the 21st firearm that TSA officers have detected at BWI Airport checkpoints so far this year. Last year 42 firearms were intercepted at the airport checkpoints.