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Memphis TSO Discovers Loaded Gun

News & Happenings

December 18, 2007

Francine Kerner, TSA chief counsel, and John Drennan (center), acting deputy chief counsel for enforcement, congratulate TSO John Dolbi on the gun discovery.
Francine Kerner, TSA chief counsel, and
John Drennan (center), acting deputy
chief counsel for enforcement,
congratulate TSO John Dolbi on the gun
discovery.

While working the X-ray machine at Memphis International Airport's checkpoint B recently, Transportation Security Officer (TSO) John Dolbi discovered a loaded 9-mm gun in a passenger's bag.

The monitor showed two guns in the passenger's bag, which is extremely rare. It turned out that one image was of the gun and the other a threat image projection (TIP). Dolbi pressed a button and received a message that confirmed he had successfully identified a TIP.

Dolbi called his supervisor and the bag was sent again through the machine. After the gun appeared a second time, airport police took custody of the passenger and gun. The passenger said packing the gun was "careless," and was issued a citation for unlawful possession of a weapon.

"He did exactly what he was supposed to do, determining that the image was not just a test, but simultaneously presented a real gun," said Federal Security Director Donald Barker.