This loaded handgun inside a traveler’s carry-on bag was detected by TSA officers at Erie International Airport on Monday, Feb. 6. (TSA photo)
ERIE, Pa. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Erie International Airport prevented a Crawford County, Pa., man from bringing his loaded handgun onto his flight yesterday (Feb. 6). The .380 caliber gun was loaded with six bullets.
The gun was caught as the man, a resident of Centerville, Pa., entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which was opened by TSA officers for a closer inspection. The firearm was removed by the local police.
The man now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. The penalty for carrying weapons was recently increased to a maximum of $15,000.
“Our Erie-based TSA officers perform their jobs well with a focus on our mission,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “I hope this serves as a reminder to others in the region not to make this same mistake. Travelers should not bring their guns to an airport security checkpoint. We are happy to make sure that firearms travel with their owners as long as the guns are packed properly. That begins with ensuring that they are unloaded. Any time dangerous items such as loaded guns are brought to a security checkpoint, it represents a serious safety concern.”
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).