Week In Review: Loaded Guns and a Good Samaritan

I just wanted to put up a quick little post highlighting a few things that have happened over the past week that we haven't blogged or tweeted about. Until now that is...

Every day, TSA officers work at more than 450 airports nationwide to keep you safe when you fly. So far this week, our officers have discovered 10 loaded firearms in carry-on bags at security checkpoints across the nation. In addition to these loaded weapons that we've kept off of airplanes, there were also unloaded firearms, loose ammunition, and firearm parts detected that aren't mentioned in this post. And of course, a host of other prohibited items such as hazmat, knives, etc. that we kept off of planes.

Here is a quick run-down of weapons detected and kept off planes this week:

• 10-2: TSA Officer at PBI detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol
• 10-2: TSA Officer at PIT detects a loaded .22 caliber pistol
• 10-3: TSA Officer at PDX detects a loaded .45 caliber pistol with round in chamber
• 10-4: TSA Officer at GCC detects a loaded .40 caliber pistol
• 10-4: TSA Officer at SLC detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol (USA Today)
• 10-5: TSA Officer at PHL detects a loaded .32 caliber pistol
• 10-5: TSA Officer at DAB detects a loaded 9mm pistol
• 10-5: TSA Officer at SEA-TAC detects a loaded .380 caliber pistol with round in chamber. (Seattle Times)
• 10-6: TSA Officer at DEN detects a loaded pistol with round in chamber
• 10-6: TSA Officer at MSY detects a loaded .38 caliber pistol

The most popular explanation we get when we find a gun is "I forgot it was in my bag." Once a firearm is discovered, TSA takes a step back and law enforcement takes over. Depending on local laws, you could be fined or even arrested. As a gun owner myself, I’ve been around guns as long as I can remember and I think it's crucial to know where your firearm is at all times. So… check those bags before you leave home. TSA encourages all passengers traveling with weapons to take the proper precautions when traveling with a firearm. Unless you're one of the few who are able to fly with a firearm in the cabin of the aircraft, your firearm (s) must be declared to the airline and checked in your luggage. You can go here for more details. 

In the news... Our officers made a shocking discovery at Dulles when they detected a stun gun in a passenger's carry-on bag. JFK officers discovered brass knuckles, stun guns, and a sword in a passenger's bag. And last but not least, one of our officers at SYR played the role of a Good Samaritan when she went above and beyond to help a passenger get her cell phone back. 

And as an added bonus, a 6" meat cleaver was found concealed inside the lining of a passenger's carry-on bag at SLC. The passenger stated she didn't put it there. 

See you next week! 

Blogger Bob

TSA Blog Team 

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