Ellicott City Man With Gun And Replica Arrested At BWI: TSA

LINTHICUM, MD — An Ellicott City man who told authorities he was a firearms trainer was arrested Sunday at Baltimore-Washington International Airport for trying to carry an unloaded weapon and a replica gun through security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported. The man was stopped, officials said, and the two prohibited items were confiscated.

According to the TSA, the Ellicott City resident was carrying a firearm and a replica gun that looked realistic in his carry-on bag. Both items were to be used as training aids, officials reported.

"The Maryland man claimed that he was a firearms trainer, yet he was not familiar with the fact that federal law prohibits bringing firearms—real or replica—to an airport checkpoint," the TSA said in a statement on Sunday.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police confiscated the weapons and arrested the man, who has not been identified publicly.

Authorities remind airline passengers that firearms are never allowed at security checkpoints. Those who try to transport 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.

SEE ALSO: First Gun Arrest Of 2018 Made At BWI Airport

Firearms are never permitted in carry-on bags. Firearms are permitted 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. Read the guidelines.

Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on luggage but may be transported in checked luggage. Passengers should check with their airline if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage. Small arms ammunition for personal use must be packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees.

More information on how to travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA's website.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed.

Pictured, a gun and realistic replica were found in the carry-on bag belonging to an Ellicott City man. They were confiscated at a security checkpoint at BWI on Sunday, Jan. 28. According to the TSA, both items were to be used as training aids by a man who claimed to be a firearms instructor. Photo courtesy of the TSA.