BALTIMORE - A Prince George’s County, Maryland, man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on Saturday, Jan. 14 after Transportation Security Administration officers caught him trying to carry a handgun past a security checkpoint. The.45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was loaded with seven bullets.
TSA officers detected the gun among the man’s carry-on items as he was entering the airport checkpoint. TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man on state weapons charges.
The man, a resident of Fort Washington, Maryland, told officials that he forgot that he was carrying a loaded gun with him.
As a reminder, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on TSA.gov. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
