These handguns were detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at South Bend International Airport (SBN) on July 5. (TSA photo)
SOUTH BEND – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at South Bend International Airport (SBN) prevented a passenger from bringing two handguns onto his flight on Tuesday, July 5.
During the routine screening of carry-on luggage shortly after 6 a.m., a TSA officer spotted the image of two handguns and immediately alerted Saint Joseph County Airport Public Safety. An officer arrived and took possession of the bag. Both firearms were loaded, and the traveler, a Shipshewana, Ind., resident, had a concealed carry permit.
“Bringing a gun to a security checkpoint is a serious offense,” Indiana TSA Federal Security Director Aaron Batt said. “Not only is it illegal to carry a gun through a security checkpoint, but it is also disruptive to the security operation. It delays the travelers in line when a gun is detected. Travelers should know better than to make such a careless and costly mistake.”
These were the eighth and ninth firearms stopped at an SBN checkpoint this year. In 2021, five firearms were detected at SBN.
TSA may impose civil penalties of up to $13,910 per violation per person. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of civil penalties is on the TSA website. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges for a period of time.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.