KENTUCKY — The Transportation Security Administration is warning of consequences both legal and financial for airline passengers attempting to bring a firearm in their carry-on.
What You Need To Know
- The number of guns found by the TSA at airport checkpoints is on track to set a new annual record
- The five major Kentucky airports saw a state record of 119 guns brought to the security checkpoints in 2021
- TSA’s message is simple - Don’t bring a gun to a security checkpoint
In the first 6 months of this year, TSA agents detected over 3,000 guns at airport security checkpoints nationwide. If that trend continues, it would break the record set last year of 5,972 guns found by airport screeners.
BREAKING: In first 6 months of 2022, @TSA detected more than 3,000 guns at checkpoints nationwide. On average, TSA is stopping 17 guns at checkpoints daily. At that pace, the number of guns detected will pass the current annual record of 5,972 guns stopped, which was set in 2021. pic.twitter.com/vJglJvKIdV
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) July 6, 2022
“99.9% of the time when we detect a firearm at the checkpoint, the excuse we get is, ‘Oops! I forgot it was in my bag,’” said TSA Regional Spokesperson Mark Howell.
Howell serves the southeast region, which includes Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. He is asking travelers to pay attention to what they are bringing with them in their carry on baggage.
Officers at @FlyKnoxville @TSA security checkpoint detected this loaded .380 in a passenger’s carry-on bag this morning—the 16th so far this year. A total of 21 were found in all of 2021. Please double check personal belongings before heading to the airport! pic.twitter.com/S8jFEA5RFe
— TSA Southeast (@TSA_Southeast) July 6, 2022
“When there is gun ownership in the state and you’re allowed to carry those guns from day to day then the likelihood of you bringing a firearm intentionally or unintentionally is going to be higher,” Howell explained. “Your states like Florida, Texas, Tennessee or Kentucky tend to have higher detection numbers.”
In 2021, the five major Kentucky airports saw a state record of 119 guns brought to the security checkpoints. Those five airports include Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport and Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah.
So far this year, TSA agents at those five airports have found 51 guns at checkpoints.
If a firearm is detected, the TSA will automatically stop operations in that lane and contact law enforcement. That traveler could face a civil penalty in excess of $13,000.
Those who are not legally allowed to carry a gun could face criminal prosecution.
“We don’t want to infringe on anyone’s right to take a firearm with them when they travel,” Howell said. “For obvious reasons, we don’t want them in the cabin.”
Howell said there is a correct way to travel with a firearm. It must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided container and can only be transported in checked luggage.
Travelers must also declare that firearm to the airline when checking their bags. The specific protocols can be found on tsa.gov.