Transportation Security Administration said that for a second day in row a firearm was seized at a carry-on checkpoint at Philadelphia International Airport.
Security intercepted a handgun on Wednesday, marking the the second consecutive day that someone has been caught with a gun at the airport.
It marked the 31st firearm detected at one of the checkpoints this year. The most caught in a year was 45 in 2023, which was an increase from 2022, and every year for the past decade has seen an increase
The firearm was intercepted when the checkpoint X-ray unit alerted a TSA officer of the gun inside the carry-on bag.
Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and issued the Norristown woman a criminal citation. TSA will also likely issue her a federal financial civil penalty, which could cost her thousands of dollars.
“When someone brings a loaded gun to one of our checkpoints, it is a risk to everyone in the airport,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “We view firearms as a threat because the intention of the traveler is unknown. If you own a firearm, do not bring it to a checkpoint. If you must travel with your gun, the proper way to do it is to make sure it’s unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case and taken to the airline check-in counter. The airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the aircraft.” TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags,” he added. “This individual can expect that TSA will issue her a very costly federal civil penalty for her careless actions.”
The agency continued:
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to individuals who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint.
Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to individuals with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried through a checkpoint. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online.
Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? 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 Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
