DETROIT - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW) discovered firearms in two separate instances at security checkpoints Wednesday, Aug. 23.
At approximately 7 a.m. Aug. 23, a loaded 9 mm Taurus pistol was discovered by TSA officers in a Philadelphia-bound passenger’s carry-on luggage. The loaded firearm had one bullet in the chamber. When discovered, TSA immediately notified police who responded to the checkpoint and arrested the 53-year-old male passenger.
Later that day, a second firearm was discovered by TSA officers while screening a Connecticut-bound passenger’s carry-on luggage. The loaded.380 caliber revolver was discovered at approximately 4 p.m. Aug. 23. When discovered, TSA officers immediately notified police who responded and arrested the 35-year-old male passenger.
“Dangerous and prohibited items such as these can cause delays at the security checkpoint," said TSA Spokesperson Michael McCarthy. “Passengers are solely responsible for the contents of their luggage and should double-check all bags before arriving at the airport to avoid such incidents."
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA. These incidents bring the total to 26 firearms detected in carry-on luggage at DTW so far in 2017. TSA detected 38 firearms in carry-on luggage at DTW in 2016.
Please visit TSA’s website for more information about prohibited items and traveling with firearms.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
