Three Passengers in US Barred from Boarding Festive Flights with Loaded Guns
Three US passengers were caught carrying loaded guns in their carry-on bags by TSA agents on the East Coast They now face hefty fines of up to $15,000 each
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During the season of peace, three US travelers tried to bring loaded guns across the country. They were discovered by TSA officers in separate incidents on the East Coast during the busy holiday travel period.
A Florida man was stopped at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania on December 22 after TSA staff discovered a loaded .380 caliber handgun in his luggage, containing at least seven bullets.
According to a statement from TSA, the traveler stated that he had forgotten the gun was in his possession.
On Christmas Eve, a traveler from Maryland was intercepted at DC's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when TSA agents discovered a loaded 9mm handgun with six bullets stashed in her carry-on bag.
In 2023, a total of 39 guns, including one with pink paneling, were detected at the airport, marking a record high for Reagan. This surpasses the previous record of 30 guns detected in 2021. The X-ray machine at the security checkpoint detected the gun, which was confiscated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police. The individual was cited on a weapons charge, according to a statement from the TSA.
The woman now faces a penalty of up to $15,000.
TSA reminds travelers to not put their pets through airport X-rays
On Christmas day, a male passenger was discovered with a loaded .380 caliber handgun containing six bullets in his carry-on at Pittsburgh International Airport. This incident marked the 44th gun confiscated at the airport in 2023.
Karen Keys-Turner, the federal security director for the airport, stated, "It is completely unacceptable to attempt to bring a firearm to a security checkpoint."
"TSA stated that the three incidents are indicative of a growing trend of individuals attempting to bring firearms onto airplanes."
During the third quarter of 2023, TSA officers found 1,820 firearms at airport checkpoints, averaging nearly 20 per day, with the majority (94%) being loaded.
The number of illegal guns discovered in 2023 is on track to exceed last year's record of 6,542 nationwide. In the first nine months of the year, over 5,000 guns have already been intercepted.
John Busch, TSAs federal security director at Reagan Airport, stated that bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint was not the right way to start the holiday. He emphasized that the proper way to transport a firearm is to ensure it is unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at the airline check-in counter, especially during the holiday season.
Attempting to bring prohibited items through airport security checkpoints can result in severe financial penalties and legal consequences. It is crucial for responsible gun owners to be aware of the location of their firearms and to avoid bringing them to airport security checkpoints. This year, travelers have attempted to bring various illicit items onto planes, such as a boa constrictor in Florida and a live cat at Norfolk Airport. In response to these incidents, TSA has reminded pet owners not to subject their animals to the X-ray machine.
