ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Transportation Security Administration discovered a loaded firearm at a St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) checkpoint this morning.
At approximately 4:45 a.m., a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield loaded with seven rounds of ammunition was discovered in a Southwest Airlines employee’s carry-on bag.
TSA immediately alerted local law enforcement who took possession of the firearm and arrested the employee.
While firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded), they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
This is the 46th firearm discovered at security checkpoints by TSA officers at STL in 2017. A total of 31 were found there in calendar year 2016.
In addition to potential criminal charges, individuals bringing firearms to a checkpoint can face civil penalties from TSA.
For more information about TSA prohibited items, go to TSA's permitted prohibited items and firearm and ammunition pages on TSA.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
