Gun Found Stuffed Inside Raw Chicken At FL Airport: TSA

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — A traveler recently flying out of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport tried to sneak a gun on the flight by stuffing it in a raw chicken, the Transportation Security Administration shared on social media.

“We hate to beak it to you here but stuffing a firearm in your holiday bird for travel is just a baste of time,” the agency wrote in an Instagram post. “This idea wasn’t even half-baked; it was raw, greasy and obviously unsupervised. The only roast happening here is this poor packing choice!”

Passengers can transport unloaded firearms only in a locked hard-sided container and as a checked bag, according to the TSA website. Guns and ammunition must be declared when checking baggage at the ticket counter.

“Feather you like it or not, there are rules for traveling with guns and ammunition,” the TSA wrote on Instagram. “So, don’t wing it; roost over the proper packaging info (on our website.)”

Patch has reached out to the TSA with additional questions about the passenger and any possible charges they might face. This story will be updated when the agency responds.

As of Nov. 3, passengers in Florida have brought 700 guns — a record number — through TSA checkpoints since the start of the year, according to a news release. This number is already higher than any previous year and includes records set at 12 airports in the Sunshine State, the agency said.

This number includes:

• 129 guns at Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• 120 guns at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• 102 guns at Tampa International (TPA)
• 83 guns at Miami International (MIA)
• 58 guns at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
• 37 guns at Southwest Florida International (RSW)
• 28 at Palm Beach International (PBI)
• 24 at Pensacola International (PNS)

Nearly all of these guns was loaded and most had ammunition chambered, the TSA said.

“An accidental discharge could result in tragedy,” TSA spokesperson Sari Koshetz said. “Every passenger bares the responsibility of knowing exactly where their gun is before entering the security checkpoint.”

Most passengers found with guns at TSA checkpoints were either arrested or issued notices to appear in court, according to the news release. Whether they’re arrested or not, passengers face a civil penalty up to $13,910 from the TSA for trying to bring a gun through a checkpoint.