The Transportation Security Administration discovered a loaded firearm at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport checkpoint Monday morning.
At approximately 10:45 a.m., a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag.
TSA immediately alerted local law enforcement, who took possession of the firearm and escorted the passenger out of the checkpoint area.
While firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and are unloaded), they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
The TSA reminds passengers that it is important for them to thoroughly search their bags for any potential dangerous weapons or prohibited items before departing for the airport. Safety is the first concern of the TSA, and having these items in bags that are traveling with one on the aircraft is dangerous to other travelers and can be easily mistaken as an intentional attempt to bring a prohibited item onto an aircraft.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint,” said Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson. “Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.”
This is the fourth firearm discovered at the security checkpoint by TSA officers at CHA in 2016. A total of 10 were found there in 2015.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/civil-enforcement
For more information about the TSA prohibited items, follow these links: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm and http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition