20th Gun Of 2019 Seized At BWI Airport, Ahead Of Record Pace

LINTHICUM, MD — Transportation Security Administration officers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport confiscated the 20th gun of 2019 at the airport July 20. The TSA caught a total of 22 guns at BWI security checkpoints in 2018, making this year's number ahead of the pace. Twenty-six guns were stopped at BWI security checkpoints in 2017 and 24 were nabbed in 2016.

A Dahlonega, Georgia, man packed a 9 mm caliber gun in his carry-on bag in the latest incident. It was spotted by a TSA officer while the bag was rolling through the checkpoint X-ray machine. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police were called to seize the firearm, they questioned the flier and arrested him on weapons charges. The man told officers that he had driven to Maryland from Georgia and forgot the gun was in his bag when he decided to fly back to Georgia.

This year's seizure count is ahead of the record 26 guns seized at the airport in 2017.

Firearms are never allowed at security checkpoints. Passengers who try to carry firearms through security checkpoints face criminal charges and the TSA has the authority to assess fines of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900.

What is the proper procedure for transporting firearms on flights?

Firearms are never permitted in carry-on bags. Weapons can by in checked bags if the following requirements are met:

• They are declared to the airline in advance.
• They are unloaded and properly packed.
• The carrier possesses the necessary permits.

Firearms carried as checked baggage must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on, but may be transported in checked baggage.

Passengers should check with their airline if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

More information on how to travel with a firearm is on the TSA's website.