HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — TSA officers at Harrisburg International Airport intercepted a loaded gun at the security checkpoint today.
On Monday, July 22, a 9mm handgun loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber, was brought to a security checkpoint and recovered by Harrisburg Airport TSA agents.
The checkpoint lane immediately came to a halt until police arrived, removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine and removed the handgun.
The owner of the gun told officers that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him. Law enforcement allowed the man, a Lititz resident, to return the firearm to his vehicle. according to a TSA spokesperson.
“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!”
Keys-Turner explained that the proper way to transport a firearm for a flight is to ensure it is unloaded; packed in a hard-sided locked case; and taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. The airline will then transport the firearm to the belly of the aircraft so it cannot be accessed during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Keys-Turner added that law enforcement determines whether or not a person can have their gun back and return it to their vehicle.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a weapon into a checkpoint can reach up to $15,000, depending on the specific weapon and the 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 onto an airplane. This also applies to travelers who are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online.
It was the third firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at the airport checkpoint so far this year.