What was perhaps the most shocking is that out of the 73 guns found, only five were not loaded. Nevertheless the 73 guns found in the week ending on Apr. 21 set a new record. The previous record was set last October when 68 guns were found in passengers’ carry-on bags.
Under federal law, passengers may travel with a gun but the gun must be declared, be unloaded, and secured in checked baggage. They cannot be carried aboard an aircraft. The prohibition also extends to imitation guns and bullets. Earlier this year a woman was prevented from boarding a plane in Baltimore because she wore a bracelet with bullets on it and stilettos that had pistols as heels.
Anyone who breaches these regulations is subject to a fine of up to $11,000 and possible arrest, depending upon the circumstances. One person arrested during the week was Julie Kimmel, 33, of Florida. Kimmel was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and told TSA officials she forgot the gun was in her bag. As a fellow passenger noted, most people pack their bags prior to travelling so how could she possibly forget the gun was there. It also begs the question whether someone should legally be able to have a gun if they cannot remember where it is.
In addition to guns, TSA agents also found two replica military rounds at an airport in Tucson. The guns were discovered in several airports in cities throughout the United States including Boston, Phoenix, Detroit and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Bob Burns of the TSA said the agency publicizes these finds in the hopes the numbers will decrease. Not only can finding a gun in carry-on bags result in fines and in some cases, arrests, but finding guns results in slowing down the line for other passengers.
