Passenger Cited After TSA Discovers Loaded Firearm At Chattanooga Airport Checkpoint
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Transportation Security Administration discovered a firearm at the checkpoint at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. At approximately 3 p.m. on Friday, a loaded .32 Berretta was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag. Airport police were alerted, took possession of the bag and cited the passenger.
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While firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, unloaded and in a proper carrying case) they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint,” said Jon Allen, TSA spokesman. “Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.”
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/enforcement_sanction_guidance_policy.pdf
This is the first firearm discovered at Chattanooga this year. There were four discovered there in 2011. Nationwide, more than 1,300 firearms were discovered at TSA checkpoints last year.