This firearm was detected in a carry-on bag of a King of Prussia, Pa., man by TSA officers at a Philadelphia International Airport checkpoint on July 11. (TSA photo)
PHILADELPHIA – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted two firearms at checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport on Thursday, July 11, thus stopping two individuals from carrying loaded guns onto their flights.
A King of Prussia, Pa., man was cited by police after TSA officers detected a .40 caliber handgun in the man’s carry-on bag. The gun was loaded with 15 bullets with one in the chamber. In addition, a Collegeville, Pa., man was caught with a 9mm handgun that was loaded with 11 bullets including one in the chamber. Police confiscated the weapons. The incidents were not related.
“Travelers need to pay more attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags. In addition, responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation. Each of these individuals can expect that TSA will issue them a costly Federal civil penalty.”
Spero praised the TSA officers for their good catch. “This is the busiest period of travel that our agency has seen and I commend our officers for remaining vigilant and staying focused on the mission during this busy time.”
Firearms caught at TSA checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport, 2017 to 2024
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 As of 7/11/24 |
|
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) |
35 |
25 |
20 |
26 |
39 |
44 |
45 |
21 |
TSA has details on how to travel with a firearm and ammunition posted on its web site. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have 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 individuals 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 individuals with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried through a checkpoint. 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).