.45 caliber Glock 30S handgun discovered by TSA Tuesday morning at SEA
SEATTLE - Officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) found three loaded firearms and an inert grenade Tuesday during routine screening at the airport’s security checkpoints.
The first firearm of the day - a .45 caliber Glock 30S handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition - was discovered around 5:15 a.m. in the carry-on bag of a male passenger ticketed for travel to Newark Liberty International Airport.
The second firearm - a 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P 9 pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition - was discovered around 8:30 a.m. in the carry-on bag of a male traveler headed to Spokane International Airport.
The third firearm of the day - a 9mm Canik TP9 Elite SC pistol loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition - was discovered around 10:20 p.m. in the carry-on bag of a female traveler headed to San Antonio International Airport.
For each incident, TSA notified officers with the Port of Seattle Police Department who responded to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removed the firearms from the X-ray tunnel and made contact with the travelers. What happens to the firearm and the travelers is up to the discretion of the airport law enforcement agency.
There is no indication any of the gun discoveries are linked. Each traveler was eventually permitted to continue on their travels.
In addition to these three firearms, TSA officers also discovered a grenade in a traveler’s carry-on bag Tuesday. Fortunately, the grenade was eventually determined to be inert, but it did require security screening to stop in the checkpoint while a TSA explosive specialist resolved the matter. Grenades are never permitted to be transported in carry-on or checked luggage.
“Yesterday’s firearm discoveries at SEA bring the total number in the month of May to seven. Let this statistic prompt all travelers to recommit to ensuring that our carry-on luggage is free of prohibited items, whether it is firearms, ammunition, grenades or other items not allowed in the cabin of the aircraft,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “I remain grateful for all TSA officers who are committed to their security mission and work tirelessly to protect the traveling public from potential threats.”
So far in 2024, TSA officers at SEA have detected 49 firearms in carry-on luggage and 91% of those have been loaded. At this same point last year, TSA at SEA had discovered 41 firearms. Nationwide, TSA officers have discovered more than 2,500 firearms this year to date and 93% of those have been loaded.
During the 2024 Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27, TSA screened 10.5 million travelers at airports nationwide. This is an increase of 8% over 2023 volumes.
Locally at SEA, TSA screened approximately 224,000 people during the four-day, 2024 Memorial Day weekend. Last year during the same period, TSA at SEA screened nearly 205,000 people, for a year-over-year increase of 9%.
With high travel volumes expected this summer, TSA is asking passengers to be vigilant and not bring firearms or other prohibited items to the airport. Doing so slows down the screening process for all travelers.
In addition to potential criminal citations for bringing a firearm in carry-on luggage, TSA can levy a civil penalty of up to $14,950 against the traveler. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck® expedited screening benefits revoked for at least five years. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations. They will also receive enhanced security screening during their travels.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage. Travelers are asked to use a non-compliant TSA lock on the case to ensure that only the owner of the firearm has access to it during their travels.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and other laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
TSA has additional traveler information specifically related to the transportation of firearms and ammunition. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is also available.
TSA reminds passengers to be aware of 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 or not at all.
Travelers can use the “Can I Bring” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” 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 daily from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST.