Loaded Ruger EC9 pistol discovered Thursday by TSA at PAE.
EVERETT, Washington - Officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) intercepted two loaded firearms this week during routine X-ray screening of travelers carry-on luggage at the airport’s security checkpoint. This comes in the same week TSA officers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) discovered three loaded firearms in a single day.
The first firearm discovery at PAE occurred Wednesday around 3:50 p.m. TSA officers spotted the image of a firearm - a SCCY CPX-2 - in the carry-on bag of a female traveler headed to Los Angeles International Airport. The pistol was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.
The second firearm find occurred Thursday around 3:45 p.m. when TSA officers detected a Ruger EC9 in the carry-on bag of a female traveler headed to John Wayne Airport, Orange County in Santa Ana, California. The pistol was loaded with four rounds of ammunition.
In each instance, TSA notified deputies with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s 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.
These two firearm discoveries came on a day when TSA screened 628 departing travelers at PAE. There is no indication the two gun discoveries are linked. Each traveler was eventually permitted to continue on their travels.
On Tuesday, TSA officers at SEA discovered three loaded firearms in three different travelers carry-on bag in a single day. Those travelers were headed to Newark Liberty International Airport, Spokane International Airport and San Antonio International Airport. TSA officers also found a grenade Tuesday in a traveler’s bag in the security checkpoint.
“The number of firearm discoveries at the two airports in the Puget Sound is alarming. It is especially concerning since firearms have never been allowed in carry-on luggage, yet we are seeing travelers being careless and bringing them to the security checkpoint,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “Let me say in the strongest terms possible: stop bringing your firearms to the airport unless you have packed them properly to travel in checked baggage. Each of these firearms brought in a carry-on bag unnecessarily put the traveling public, TSA officers and other airport employees at risk. If you are traveling with a firearm, please commit to following all of the procedures to do so correctly.”
Nationwide, TSA officers have discovered more than 2,600 firearms this year to date and 93% of those have been loaded. Yesterday alone, TSA officers discovered 22 firearms including the one at PAE at airports across the country
Here is a summary of firearm discoveries at PAE since 2022:
|
Through May 30 |
Full year |
|
|
2022 |
3 |
4 |
|
2023 |
4 |
7 |
|
2024 |
4 |
At SEA to date this year, TSA officers 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.
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.