2nd Gun In 2 Days Caught At Philadelphia International Airport: TSA

PHILADELPHIA — Just one day after a Chester County man brought a loaded gun in his carry-on bag to the Philadelphia International Airport, a Philadelphia man did the same, authorities said.

Transportation Security Administration officers at Philadelphia International Airport found the gun Tuesday at a security checkpoint.

According to authorities, the Philadelphia man's firearm — a 9mm handgun loaded with seven rounds, including one in the chamber — was detected in his carry-on bag by an x-ray scanner.

Officers more closely inspected the bag after the scanner alerted to the bag and found the firearm.

The firearm was confiscated by the police, who cited the man on a weapons charge. In addition to being cited by police, the man also faces a financial civil penalty up to $15,000 for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint.

"There is no excuse for bringing a gun to the checkpoint," Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said. "Responsible gun owners do not bring their guns to a checkpoint. Two guns in two days brings our annual total to 43, which is one shy of our record. I can assure you that this is not the type of record we seek to set. We would much rather see fewer travelers carelessly bringing their guns to our checkpoints. Doing so is irresponsible on the part of the travelers."

Forty-three firearms have been caught at the Philadelphia International Airport so far this year. Last year, 44 firearms were caught at the airport.