Two Weekend Gun Arrests Made At BWI Airport: TSA

HANOVER, MD — Two people were charged in separate incidents over the weekend with having guns in their baggage at BWI Airport, Transportation Security Administration officials say. A Georgia man was the first person arrested at BWI in 2018 for allegedly having a .380 caliber gun loaded with eight bullets when his carry-on bag entered the checkpoint x-ray machine. Last year, a record 25 arrests were made for guns detected by TSA officers at the airport's checkpoints this year, the most guns caught at the airport during a single calendar year.

On Friday, Jan. 26, a Shepherdstown, West Virginia, man was reportedly stopped with a .357 caliber firearm loaded with nine bullets and on Sunday, Jan. 28, an Ellicott City resident was stopped with an unloaded firearm and a realistic replica gun that was a training aid. The Maryland man told authorities he was a firearms trainer, but the TSA says he was unfamiliar with the federal law that prohibits bringing firearms — real or replica — to an airport checkpoint.

In both cases TSA officials contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, whose confiscated the weapons and arrested the travelers.

In 2016 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.

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 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.

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.

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PHOTOS: A .357 caliber handgun, loaded with nine bullets, was stopped at a BWI checkpoint by TSA offices on Friday, January 26.

This gun and realistic replica gun, both used as training aids, were found in a carry-on bag belonging to an Ellicott City man at a BWI Airport checkpoint on Sunday, January 28. (TSA photos)