Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Philadelphia International Airport intercepted a handgun at one of the security checkpoints on Wednesday (September 25). It was the second consecutive day that someone has been caught with a gun at the airport and it marked the 31st firearm detected at one of the checkpoints this year.
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, confiscated the firearm and issued the woman, a resident of Norristown, Pa., a criminal citation. TSA will also likely issue her a Federal financial civil penalty, which could cost her thousands of dollars.
“When someone brings a loaded gun to one of our checkpoints, it is a risk to everyone in the airport,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “We view firearms as 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.” TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
