Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Harrisburg International Airport intercepted a loaded gun at the security checkpoint today, Monday, July 22. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber.
“Let this be an important reminder to firearm owners that they should not bring their guns to our checkpoints,” said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Don’t be that guy!”
When TSA officers detected the gun, the checkpoint lane came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine and removed the handgun. The man told officials that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him. Police allowed the man, a resident of Lititz, Pa., to return the firearm to his vehicle.
“Travelers need to pay much closer attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags,” said Keys-Turner. “Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags. In addition, responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. This individual can expect that TSA will issue him a costly Federal civil penalty.”