Loaded Gun Caught By Security At Philadelphia International Airport

PHILADELPHIA — A Florida man was found with a loaded firearm at the Philadelphia International Airport recently, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The gun was found Tuesday by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers.

Officers detected a gun in the Florida man’s carry-on bag at one of the airport security checkpoints.

The gun, a .38 caliber revolver, was loaded with five bullets

When TSA officers detected the firearm handgun, the man told officials that it was a new gun and that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him.

In addition to being charged with a criminal citation by the police, the man also faces a financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

"It is disappointing that so many travelers who are found to be in possession of their guns at our checkpoints claim that they forgot that they had it with them. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times," Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said. "The owner of this new gun was careless and got off on the wrong foot in terms of being responsible."

So far in 2024, 10 firearms have been caught at the Philadelphia International Airport, according to TSA.