BWI Airport Sets Record For Loaded Guns Seized

HANOVER, MD — A dubious record was set Tuesday morning when a man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Airport after Transportation Security Administration officers reportedly stopped him with a loaded 9mm handgun, federal authorities say. The seizure of the weapon from a Baltimore man marked the 25th gun that TSA officers detected at the airport’s checkpoints this year, the most guns caught at the airport during a single calendar year.

Last year TSA officers stopped 24 guns at the airport’s checkpoints, said Lisa Farbstein, TSA spokeswoman. The numbers of weapons spotted at security points have steadily increased since 2013, when 13 guns were found. That inched up to 14 firearms in 2014 and 16 guns in 2015.

The Baltimore flier's handgun was in his carry-on bag and was detected by a TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint x-ray monitor, TSA said in a news release. TSA contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man on weapons charges.

Authorities remind airline passengers that firearms are never allowed at security checkpoints. Passenger who try to transport firearms through security checkpoints face criminal charges and up to $12,000 in civil penalties.

What is the proper procedure for transporting firearms on flights?

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, 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. Ask about limitations or fees.

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

Photo courtesy of BWI Airport