Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have already intercepted 62 firearms at the security checkpoints across Alabama this year, with 41 of them at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM.).
If you are going to travel with your firearm it must be in your checked bag, unloaded and in a locked hard-sided case. You must declare it to the airline at check-in. Be sure you know exactly what the firearm laws are on each side of your trip or you may be cited or heading to jail instead of to your vacation or business trip. Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.
“Before you enter a TSA security checkpoint, make sure your firearm is not in your carry-on nor on your person,” said Sari Koshetz, spokesperson for the TSA. “With the vast majority of the intercepted firearms loaded, an accidental discharge could result in tragedy.”
In the past week in addition to the two firearms intercepted at BHM, TSA officers also stopped three at Huntsville International Airport (HSV) and one at Mobile Regional Airport (MOB.) The totals stopped year-to-date are 41 at BHM, 14 at HSV, five at MOB and two at Montgomery Regional Airport.
“Last year passengers across the state of Alabama brought 106 firearms to our security checkpoints. We are not even half way through the year, so simple math unfortunately forebodes that the end of the year total will be substantially higher than last year’s,” Koshetz said.
The most recent firearm stopped at BHM was yesterday when a 41-year-old woman traveling to Miami entered the checkpoint with a loaded .380 caliber Kimber accompanied by seven rounds of ammunition. On Monday a 57-year-old man heading to Atlanta with a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 9 mm and 17 rounds was intercepted by our officers.
Many of the passengers across the country who bring firearms to a federal security checkpoint are arrested or issued notices to appear in court. Regardless of whether the individual is arrested or cited by our law enforcement partners, passengers face a civil penalty imposed by the TSA that can reach nearly $15,000. If the traveler is in the TSA PreCheck program, those privileges will be lost for a period of time, possibly permanently.
Here are five tips for getting through the TSA checkpoint as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Tip 1: No firearms in carry-ons. Firearms must be in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared to the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for additional guidance. And it is your responsibility to know what the firearm laws are on both sides of your trip.
Tip 2: Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own bag before leaving home. Unsure if it’s allowed: use the “What Can I Bring?” link on TSA.gov.
Tip 3: Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID card readily available. If you are traveling with a carry-on bag follow the liquids, gels and aerosols 3-1-1 rule of 3.4 ounces or less for each item and the items should be placed in a one-quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger. To simplify your screening and even before entering the checkpoint it is best to put your phones and any other content of your pockets into your carry-on rather than into a bin in the checkpoint.
Tip 4: Help is available. Get live assistance by tweeting your questions to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.
Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck. Travel with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.