PHOENIX, Az. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers discovered nine guns at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) during a nine-day period. These nine guns are part of 83 that have been discovered by TSA officers in 2020. That means 12 percent of the firearms detected at PHX in 2020, were found in the span of nine days.
In the time period between Sept. 18 through Sept. 26, 2020, TSA officers discovered the following firearms:
9/18/2020
9mm
loaded
9/19/2020
9mm
unloaded
9/19/2020
9mm
loaded
9/22/2020
.380
loaded
9/23/2020
9mm
loaded
9/24/2020
9mm
unloaded
9/25/2020
9mm
loaded
9/25/2020
.380
loaded
9/26/2020
.380
loaded
“Despite an 80% reduction in the number of people screened by TSA compared to this time last year, TSA officers have not lost their focus. They remain vigilant and continue to prevent security threats from making it onboard an airplane,” said TSA Federal Security Director (FSD) Jerry Agnew for PHX Airport. “Firearms, whether loaded or unloaded, should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage. Bringing your gun to the security checkpoint will cost you time, money and ultimately be very inconvenient for you.”
So far in 2020, TSA officers at PHX Airport have detected 80 firearms in carry-on luggage. Nationwide, TSA officers have discovered over 2,190 firearms to date and 83% of those have been loaded. In 2019, a total of 4,432 firearms were found in carry-on luggage at airports across the country.
“If a gun is brought to the TSA screening checkpoint, the passenger will face a civil penalty that can exceed $13,000 and that fine is imposed even if you are not arrested or cited by our law enforcement partners,” noted FSD Agnew. “In order to maintain social distancing and not have to face a bag search, passengers are reminded to know precisely what is in their bags before leaving for the airport.”
TSA will review the circumstances of the incident and levy a civil penalty against each of the passengers. Factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount include whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. TSA evaluates each incident on a case-by-case basis.
In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have their Trusted Traveler status and TSA Pre✓® expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard- sided case and placed in checked baggage. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. Ammunition and firearm parts, including firearm frames, receivers, clips and magazines are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger should go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
For pictures of the guns to https://twitter.com/Tsa_SouthWest
More information on traveling legally with a firearm is available on TSA’s website at tsa.gov.