This loaded firearm was discovered at a Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport security checkpoint during routine screening on June 19.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport discovered a loaded firearm in a passenger's carry-on bag at a security checkpoint on June 19. The firearm, a .38 caliber revolver, had five rounds in the cylinder. This is the second firearm detected at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport this year.
“I am very proud of our TSA officers who are dedicated to keeping our transportation systems secure and the traveling public safe,” said Brian Bushnell, TSA’s Acting Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. “Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms; however, they must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided case, and declared at the airline check-in counter. All firearms must be transported in the belly of the aircraft, where they are inaccessible during the flight."
For more information on traveling with firearms, please see TSA’s firearms requirements: Prepare. Pack. Declare.
- Firearms are permitted only in checked baggage, never in carry-on luggage, even for travelers with concealed carry permits.
- Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, and declared to the airline at check-in.
- Research state and local firearm laws for your departure, destination, and any connecting airports to ensure compliance.
- Contact your airline in advance to understand their specific policies for transporting firearms and ammunition.
When a firearm is detected at a security checkpoint, TSA officers immediately stop the conveyor belt, and the lane comes to a standstill. Officers contact local law enforcement, who respond to the checkpoint, remove the carry-on bag from the x-ray system, then remove the passenger and the carry-on bag containing the firearm from the checkpoint area.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who bring guns and gun parts to the checkpoint. A complete list of civil penalties is available on TSA.gov. These penalties apply to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits. Additionally, travelers caught with firearms at the checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck® privileges for up to five years.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on or checked bag? 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 X or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may also send questions by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
TSA is also reminding travelers REAL ID enforcement is underway. Every passenger 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license, state-issued identification card or another form of acceptable ID to board a commercial aircraft. Those who do no not have a REAL ID or another form of photo ID accepted by TSA may experience delays and face additional screening when they arrive at the TSA security checkpoint.