26th Gun Detected At BWI Airport, Tying 2017 Record

LINTHICUM, MD — So far this year, TSA officers have caught 26 guns at the airport's checkpoints, tying the record set in 2017. An Annapolis man was arrested Oct. 19 on weapons charges after a TSA officer spied a gun in the man's carry-on bag while it was scrolling through a checkpoint x-ray machine at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Maryland Transportation Authority Police assisted in the arrest.

In 2016, 24 guns were confiscated at BWI; 26 in 2017; and 22 in 2018. With more than two months left in the year, the TSA anticipates surpassing last year's total of guns caught at BWI. The 26th gun detected at the checkpoint was a 9 mm handgun loaded with 15 bullets. The man told officials that he forgot he had his gun with him.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.

Nationwide last year, 4,239 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 11.6 firearms per day, approximately a 7 percent increase nationally in firearm discoveries from the total of 3,957 detected in 2017. Eighty-six percent of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded and nearly 34 percent had a bullet in the chamber.

Individuals who bring firearms to TSA airport checkpoints can face possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags. If the individual is a TSA Pre✓® member, that person could lose their TSA Pre✓® status. TSA also has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of penalties is posted online.