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

TSA sets record for most guns caught at BWI Airport in one year
Local Press Release
Tuesday, December 26, 2017

LINTHICUM, Md. – A local man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) this morning, December 26, after a Transportation Security Administration officer caught him trying to bring a loaded handgun past the security checkpoint. It marked the 25th gun that TSA officers detected at the airport’s checkpoints this year, marking the most guns caught at the airport during a single calendar year. Last year TSA officers stopped 24 guns at the airport’s checkpoints.

The Baltimore resident was found to have a 9 mm handgun in his carry-on bag and was detected by a TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint 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.  

Today’s gun catch brought the total number of firearms that TSA officers have detected at BWI airport so far this year to 25, which surpasses the 2016 total of 24 firearms that 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

 

25
 
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 on the Civil Enforcement page of  tsa.gov. 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.
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