Georgia Woman Arrested With Gun at BWI Airport

HANOVER, MD — A Georgia woman was arrested Monday at Baltimore Washington International Airport after Transportation Security Administration officers caught her trying to carry a loaded handgun onto an airplane, federal authorities say.

Men from Baltimore County and Delaware were arrested in separate incidents earlier this month, and a woman from Smyrna, Delaware, was charged after TSA officers found a gun inside handbag as she entered a checkpoint.

In Monday's incident, a .380 caliber handgun loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber, was found in the backpack of Ericka Keith, 45, of Columbus, Georgia. In addition, she was traveling with a magazine loaded with five bullets, authorities said.

TSA officers detected the gun as Keith entered one of the airport checkpoints, and contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who confiscated the gun and arrested Keith on charges of carrying a handgun and interfering with security.

Authorities pointed out 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 and pets 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 of a loaded .380 caliber handgun found in a woman's backpack at a BWI Airport checkpoint on Nov. 128, courtesy of the Transportation Safety Administration; Patch file photo of BWI Airport