Baltimore man arrested after TSA stopped him with loaded handgun at BWI Airport

LINTHICUM, Md. – A Baltimore man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) last night, December 13, after a Transportation Security Administration officer caught him trying to bring a loaded semi-automatic handgun past the security checkpoint.

The man was found to have a .380 caliber gun loaded with six 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.

As TSA officers were examining the X-ray image on the screen, the traveler realized his attempt at sneaking the gun past the checkpoint had been thwarted, and he left the checkpoint area. TSA contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm, worked with TSA to identify the man using video of the checkpoint, and arrested him on a variety of charges.

Tuesday’s gun catch brought the total number of firearms that TSA officers have detected at BWI Airport so far this calendar year to 24, which ties the 2016 total of 24 firearms that were detected at the airport’s checkpoints by TSA officers.

TSA Firearms Caught at BWI

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 $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site on TSA.gov. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.