TSA intercepts firearm at Harrisburg International Airport

TSA officers at Harrisburg International Airport detected this firearm at the checkpoint on December 16. (TSA photo)

HARRISBURG - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Harrisburg International Airport intercepted a loaded gun at the security checkpoint on, Monday, December 16. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 13 bullets.

"Let this be an important reminder to firearm owners that they should not bring their guns to our checkpoints," said Gerardo Spero, TSA's Federal Security Director for Pennsylvania. "Don't be that guy!"

When TSA officers detected the gun, the checkpoint lane came to a halt until the police responded and removed the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine and removed the handgun. Police cited the man on a weapons charge and then allowed the man, a resident of Lancaster, Pa., to return the firearm to his vehicle.

It was the fourth firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at the airport checkpoint so far this year.

Spero explained that the proper way to transport a firearm for a flight is to ensure it is unloaded; packed in a hard-sided locked case; and taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. The airline will make sure that the firearm is transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to it during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a weapon into a checkpoint can reach up to $15,000, depending on the specific weapon and the circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. This also applies to travelers who are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.

The complete list of civil penalties is posted online.

When a gun is detected in the checkpoint X-ray unit, the conveyor belt is stopped, and the police are notified. Police remove the carry-on bag from the X-ray unit because TSA does not want its officers handling firearms. Police determine whether a traveler is arrested or issued a criminal citation. Meanwhile the remaining passengers in the checkpoint lane either wait for the issue to be resolved or they are shifted to another checkpoint lane, thus delaying dozens of passengers from getting to their gates.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy "What can I bring?" feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872).