DALLAS – In a ten-day period ranging from May 26 to June 4, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Dallas Love Field Airport intercepted ten firearms in traveler’s carry-on items.
The handguns were caught as the travelers entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bags, which required a closer inspection by TSA officials. The firearms were removed by the Dallas Airport Police, who confirmed the presence of the weapons. TSA does not confiscate firearms caught at checkpoints, law enforcement officers take the case for adjudication and make case determination
This is a properly packed firearm. Pack unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided case. Take the case to the airline check-in counter to declare that you want to fly with it. The airline will transport it in the belly of the plane for the flight. (TSA photo)
“Time and time again we are seeing travelers continue to bring their firearms to our checkpoints instead of properly packing them for a flight,” said Amy Williams, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. Pack the unloaded gun in a hard-sided locked case. Take the case to the airline check-in counter and declare that you want to fly with it. The airline will make sure it is transported to your destination in the belly of the plane so that nobody has access to it during the flight. It really is that simple.”
The travelers also face a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
Firearms caught by TSA officers at Dallas Love Field Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2024
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 As of 6/04/24 |
||
|
Guns caught at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) checkpoints |
103 |
54 |
112 |
127 |
125 |
73 |
||
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).