LINTHICUM, Md. – A man was arrested at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) early this morning, November 21, after a Transportation Security Administration officer caught him with a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag at a security checkpoint.
The man was found to have a 9 mm caliber gun loaded with 12 bullets including one in the chamber when his carry-on bag entered the TSA checkpoint X-ray machine, where the gun was spotted on the X-ray monitor.
TSA contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man on weapons charges.
Tuesday’s gun catch brought the total number of firearms that TSA officers have detected at BWI so far this calendar year to 23. In 2016, a total of 24 firearms were detected at the airport’s checkpoints by TSA officers.
TSA Firearms Caught at BWI
|
|
Number of Firearms Caught in 2013 |
Number of Firearms Caught in 2014 |
Number of Firearms Caught in 2015 |
Number of Firearms Caught in 2016 |
Number of Firearms to date in 2017 |
|
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
13 |
14 |
16 |
24 |
23 |
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. In addition, TSA has the authority to access civil penalties of up to $12,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,000.
TSA's website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.