BALTIMORE - A man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) early this morning, Friday, May 5, after Transportation Security Administration officers caught him carrying a handgun at a security checkpoint.
The man, ticketed to fly to Cancun, Mexico, was found to have a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag. He told officials that he forgot that he was carrying his gun in his bag.
TSA officers detected the gun as the man entered the TSA checkpoint and placed his carry-on items on the x-ray conveyor belt. TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man on weapons charges.
As a reminder, individuals 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
