Woman Caught With Loaded Handgun At Philly Airport: TSA

Philadelphia PA

11 April, 2022

11:08 AM

Description

PHILADELPHIA — A woman was taken into custody at the Philadelphia International Airport last week after Transportation Security Administration officers found a loaded gun on her. According to the Transportation Security Administration, the incident occurred on Thursday last week. Officers spotted the .25 caliber gun in the Philadelphia woman's handbag via a security checkpoint X-ray machine, then contacted police, TSA said. Police then took the gun and detained the woman on a firearm violation. TSA forwarded the incident to be followed up with the issuance of a federal financial civil penalty. The gun was loaded with five rounds, including one in the chamber, TSA said. "Guns and airplanes don't mix," said Gerardo Spero, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "If you want to bring your gun on a flight, pack it correctly for transport or leave it home." Thursday's incident marks the seventh gun officers caught at one of the checkpoints so far this year. Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating or aggravating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried into an airport or onto an airplane. Travelers are allowed to transport their firearms as checked baggage if they are properly packed and declared at their airline ticket counter to be transported in the belly of the plane with checked baggage. Checked firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, and travelers should check into firearm laws before they decide to travel with their guns. Travelers should also contact their airline, as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. Guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.