Record Number Of Guns Seized At BWI Airport And 2022 Isn't Over

BALTIMORE, MD — More guns have been seized at Baltimore Washington International Airport's security checkpoints this year than ever — including seven firearms in 10 days in October — and there are still two months to go.

Transportation Security Administration officers at BWI have detected 28 firearms at the airport's security checkpoints so far this year, surpassing the previous record of 27 caught in 2019, according to a news release. Twenty-three of the 28 guns caught have been loaded, including seven that were caught during a 10-day span from Oct. 14 to 23.

"There seems to be a sudden epidemic of guns that travelers are bringing to our security checkpoints," said Christopher Murgia, TSA's federal security director for Maryland, in a statement. "I don't know exactly why this is happening, but what I do know is that it needs to stop."

The most common excuse given by travelers is that they forgot they had their loaded guns with them.

"If you own a firearm, it is your responsibility to know where it is at all times and know that it cannot go through an airport security checkpoint," Murgia said. "Claiming that you forgot that you had your gun with you is no excuse. The fact that the vast majority of the guns we catch are loaded is an accident waiting to happen."

Here are totals of guns seized at BWI the past seven years:

• 2022: 28
• 2021: 23
• 2020: 13
• 2019: 27
• 2018: 22
• 2017: 26
• 2016: 21

Nationwide, TSA officers detected 5,972 firearms on passengers or their carry-on bags at checkpoints last year. Of the guns caught by TSA in 2021, about 86 percent were loaded.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police partner with TSA on all gun-related incidents at BWI and the "bottom line is if you bring a gun - loaded or unloaded - to the security checkpoint, you will pay a potentially hefty fine. Be sure to educate yourself about how to properly travel with a firearm before you go," said MDTA Police Chief Colonel Kevin Anderson.

Authorities remind airline passengers that firearms are never allowed at security checkpoints.

Passengers who try to transport firearms through security checkpoints face criminal charges and the TSA has the authority to assess fines of up to $13,900. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint carries a $3,900 fine.

This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

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 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.