This loaded .22 caliber handgun was detected by TSA officers in a woman’s carry-on bag on Sunday, May 12, at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. (Photo courtesy of TSA.)
AVOCA, Pa. - Wyoming, Pennsylvania, woman was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers when they spotted a loaded handgun in her carry-on bag at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Sunday, May 12.
The woman, a resident of Laceyville, Pa., was caught with a .22 mm handgun in one of her carry-on bags. It was loaded with two bullets.
When the TSA officer spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, the Avoca Police were contacted, responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and detained the woman for questioning. There was no impact to airport operations.
Sunday’s firearm catch was the second gun caught at the airport checkpoint this year. TSA officers stopped one gun at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in 2018.
Nationwide last year, 4,239 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 11.6 firearms per day, approximately a 7% increase nationally in firearm discoveries from the total of 3,957 detected in 2017. Eighty-six percent of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded and nearly 34% had a bullet in the chamber.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 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 has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.