A Christiana, Pa., man was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Philadelphia International Airport intercepted a handgun at one of the security checkpoints on Sunday, October 27. The 9mm handgun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.
The firearm was intercepted when the checkpoint X-ray unit alerted a TSA officer of the gun inside the carry-on bag. Police responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the firearm from the man and cited him on a weapons charge.
“It is disappointing to continue to see travelers bring their firearms to our checkpoints,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “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.”
“This individual can expect that TSA will issue him a very costly Federal civil penalty for his careless actions. That’s an expensive lesson to learn,” Spero added.