TSA stops Prince George’s County man with a gun at BWI Airport

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Local Press Release
Thursday, June 21, 2018

LINTHICUM, Md. – Transportation Security Administration officers at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) caught a handgun at one of the airport’s checkpoints this morning, marking the 11th gun caught at the airport so far this year.    

The traveler, a resident of Fort Washington, Maryland, was found to have a loaded .22 caliber revolver along with an additional box of ammunition in his carry-on luggage when the carry-on bag entered the TSA checkpoint X-ray machine. That’s where the gun was spotted by a TSA officer who was staffing the X-ray monitor.

TSA contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who reported to the checkpoint, confiscated the loaded gun, and arrested the Prince George’s County, Maryland, man on weapons charges. It was the 11th gun that TSA officers have detected at the airport checkpoints so far this year. Last year TSA officers detected 26 firearms at the airport’s checkpoints.

TSA Firearm Catches at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Airport

Firearms Caught in 2016

Firearms caught in 2017

Firearms caught in 2018

(as of  6-21-18)

BWI Airport

24

26

11

As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,000 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online. 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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