Know the Rules for Traveling with Your Firearm Before You Head to the Airport

National Press Release

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Passengers are reminded to know the rules for traveling with a firearm before they head to the airport. Passengers should arrive early and know exactly what is in their bags. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) have already intercepted 23 firearms at the security checkpoints so far this year.

"Passengers should pack for a trip starting with an empty bag to be sure they are not carrying prohibited items before they enter our checkpoints," said TSA Federal Security Director for the State of Mississippi Kim Jackson. "Make sure your firearm is not in your carry-on bag and also check that you do not have a pocketknife or other threats that are not permitted in the cabin of the aircraft."

Most items that are prohibited in your carry-on bag can be placed in a checked bag. But anything that is flammable, corrosive or explosive cannot travel anywhere on the plane. Hand grenades, even replica ones, cannot travel on the plane in checked or carry-on bags.

If you are going to travel with your firearm it must be in your checked bag, unloaded and in a locked hard-sided case. You must declare it to the airline at check-in. Travelers are responsible for being aware of what the firearm laws are on each side of their trip or they may be cited or heading to jail instead of to their vacation or business trip. Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.

The most recent firearm intercepted by TSA at the Jackson checkpoints was on Monday, September 16th when a 28-year-old man headed for Charlotte entered the checkpoint with a loaded Glock. On August 31^st a 43-year-old woman headed to Atlanta entered the checkpoint with a loaded Ruger with ammunition chambered. On August 26^th a 43-year-old man headed to Houston entered the checkpoint with a loaded Ruger.

"Last year passengers across the state of Mississippi brought 50 firearms to our security checkpoints with 35 of those in Jackson. So far this calendar year we have stopped 37 firearms across the state with 23 of them here at JAN," Jackson said. "We are reminding the public to place their firearms in their checked bags and declare them to the airline."

The specific year-to-date totals across Mississippi are 23 stopped at Jackson, 10 stopped at Gufport-Biloxi International Airport, one at Greenville Mid-Delta Regional Airport, one at Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport and two at Tupelo Regional Airport.

"Thanks to the experience and vigilance of our TSA officers, each of these firearms was intercepted before they could make it into the cabin of an aircraft," Jackson added.

Many of the passengers across the country who bring firearms to a federal security checkpoint are arrested or issued notices to appear in court. Regardless of whether the individual is arrested or cited by law enforcement, with whom we immediately partner, passengers face a civil penalty imposed by the TSA that can reach nearly $15,000. If the traveler is in the TSA PreCheck®program, those privileges will be lost for a period of time, possibly permanently.

The TSA is seeing record-breaking numbers of passengers traveling across the country so be sure to arrive early and do heed these travel tips for getting through the security checkpoint as efficiently and stress free as possible.

Tip 1: No firearms in carry-ons. Firearms must be in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declaredto the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for additional guidance. And it is your responsibility to know what the firearm laws are on both sides of your trip.Tip 2: Leave all prohibited items at home. To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own suitcase, backpack, computer bag or purse before leaving home. Unsure if it's allowed: use the "What Can I Bring?"link on TSA.gov.Tip 3: Prepare for the security checkpoint. Have a valid ID cardreadily available. If you are traveling with a carry-on bag follow the liquids, gels and aerosols 3-1-1 rule of 3.4 ounces or less for each item and the items should be placed in a one-quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger. To simplify your screening and even before entering the checkpoint it is best to put your phones and any other content of your pockets into your carry-on rather than into a bin in the checkpoint.Tip 4:Help is available. Get live assistance by tweeting your questions to @AskTSAin English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673.Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck.Travel with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.

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