BOISE, Idaho - Officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Boise Airport have found two loaded firearms in the carry-on luggage of passengers at the security checkpoint over the past four days.
The first firearm was a.45 caliber Para-Ordnance P-13.45 pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. A TSA officer discovered it Monday around 3 p.m. in the carry-on bag of a male passenger headed to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The second firearm was a Glock 42.380 caliber pistol loaded with seven rounds of ammunition. It was discovered today around 9:45 a.m. in the carry-on of a female passenger ticketed for travel to Denver International Airport.
In both instances, when TSA officer saw the image of the firearm on the X-ray screen, the Boise Police Department was notified before responding to the security checkpoint.
These are the 21st and 22nd firearms this year that TSA officers have discovered in the carry-on bags of passengers departing Boise. In all of 2016, TSA officers at BOI discovered 18 guns in carry-on baggage.
So far in 2017, TSA officers nationwide have discovered more than 2,600 firearms in passengers’ carry-on bags at more than 220 different airports. During all of 2016, TSA officers found 3,391 firearms at security checkpoints across the country.
Firearms, ammunition, firearm parts and realistic replicas of firearms are always prohibited in carry-on baggage. However, these items can be transported in checked baggage provided the traveler declares them to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
Firearms in checked baggage must be unloaded and stored in a locked, hard-sided container. TSA urges passengers to contact their airline for specific firearm and ammunition policies and to check local laws related to the carrying and transport of firearms.
In addition to facing local or state criminal charges, TSA reserves the right to levy a civil penalty of up to $7,500 for bringing a dangerous weapon like a firearm to the checkpoint. Each penalty is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
TSA reminds passengers to be aware of the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. Our website has additional traveler information specifically related to the commercial air transport of firearms and ammunition.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
