Loaded Revolver Caught At Philadelphia International Airport By TSA

PHILADELPHIA — Transportation Security Administration officers at the Philadelphia International Airport found a loaded gun in a local man's carry-on items Monday.

According to TSA, a .38 caliber revolver loaded with six bullets was found among a West Chester man's items.

Also found were nine addition bullets, authorities said.

The firearm was intercepted when a checkpoint x-ray unit alerted a TSA officer of the gun inside the man's carry-on bag.

Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm from the man, and arrested him on a weapons charge.

The man also faces a stiff federal financial penalty that is likely to run into the thousands of dollars.

"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, please do not bring it to a checkpoint. If you must travel with your gun, there’s a way to do so. 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 that nobody has access to it during a flight."

So far in 2024, TSA has found 38 firearms at the Philadelphia International Airport. In 2023, 45 were found.