HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A Kentucky woman was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at the Huntington Tri-State Airport on Friday, Feb. 3, when the TSA officers detected a handgun in one of the woman’s carry-on bags.
TSA officers detected the.380 caliber handgun in the woman’s possession as she entered the airport checkpoint. The firearm was loaded with six bullets, including one in the chamber. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the gun inside the traveler’s carry-on bag as it passed along the conveyor belt.
The woman, a resident of Ashland, Kentucky, also had an extra magazine loaded with six bullets in her carry-on bag.
TSA officers immediately contacted the Huntington Tri-State Airport Police, which responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the gun.
This incident serves as a reminder that passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.
Weapons-including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition-are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are properly packed and declared.
Firearms must be unloaded, placed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.
Passengers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA up to $12,000.
TSA’s website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
TSA screens approximately 2 million passengers and their luggage every day for prohibited items, including weapons and explosives. To do this, TSA uses imaging technology to safely screen passengers for any items which may be concealed under clothing, while X-ray units screen all carry-on baggage.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
