TSA discovers two loaded firearms at Will Rogers World Airport in one day

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Local Press Release
Thursday, September 20, 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered two loaded firearms, carried by different passengers, yesterday morning at security screening checkpoints at Will Rogers World Airport (OKC).

The first firearm, a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver loaded with five rounds, was discovered around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 19. The second, a Ruger .380 pistol loaded with six rounds, was intercepted Wednesday around 11:45 am. Both were discovered by TSA officers during X-ray screening of each passenger’s carry-on bag at a checkpoint. The City of Oklahoma City Police Airport Division responded, interviewed the passengers, and took possession of their weapons. Both passengers were later allowed to continue.

“This is a good opportunity to once again remind passengers that they can’t bring firearms to airport security checkpoints,” said OKC TSA Federal Security Director Steven Crawford. “Bringing a firearm to the checkpoint will result in a referral to law enforcement and a hefty fine from TSA. And in addition to delaying the individual who brought the weapon, it also impacts everyone else standing in line to go through security.”

Passengers who bring a firearm to an airport security checkpoint are referred to local law enforcement. Any determination about a criminal charge is up to law enforcement. TSA has the ability to assess a civil penalty of up to $13,000. The average civil penalty for a loaded firearm is $3,900, half that amount for an unloaded one.

Firearms are only allowed in checked bags, if declared to the airline and properly packed in a locked, hard-sided container. Ammunition, firearm parts and realistic replicas also cannot be carried through any TSA security checkpoint, but can travel in checked bags. Some airline policies for taking a firearm in a checked bag may differ from TSA’s, so we strongly suggest travelers contact their airline for specific firearm and ammunition policies and to check local laws related to the carrying and transport of firearms.

The discoveries this morning bring the total number of firearms found at OKC checkpoints so far this year to 29. In 2017, OKC found 40 firearms at checkpoints. TSA found a record-breaking 3,957 firearms at airport security checkpoints around the country in 2017, a 17 percent increase over 2016.

For more information on traveling with firearms and TSA prohibited items, visit our website.

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