Loaded Gun Caught At Philadelphia International Airport Sunday

PHILADELPHIA — A Lancaster County man was cited after TSA found a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag at the Philadelphia International Airport this weekend.

According to TSA, the gun was found Sunday during a security screening at the airport.

An x-ray unit alerted TSA officers to the firearm.

The gun, authorities said, was a 9mm handgun loaded with seven rounds and had one round in the chamber.

Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm, cited the man on a weapons charge.

"It is disappointing to continue to see travelers bring their firearms to our checkpoints," Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said. "Loaded guns represent a threat because the intention of the traveler is unknown. If you own a firearm, do not bring it to a checkpoint. If you must travel with your gun, the proper way to do it is to make sure it’s unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case and taken to the airline check-in counter. The airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the aircraft."

So far this year, TSA has caught 36 firearms at the Philadelphia International Airport.