The Transportation Security Administration discovered a loaded firearm at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport checkpoint this morning.
At approximately 6 a.m., a loaded Kel-Tec .22 caliber handgun was discovered in a passenger’s
carry-on bag.
TSA immediately alerted airport police, who took possession of the bag 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 unloaded), they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
"TSA would like to remind 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.
Security is the primary concern of the TSA, and having these items in bags that are traveling
with you 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," officials said.
“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 seventh firearm discovered by TSA officers at the CHA security checkpoint in 2018.
A total of 14 were found there last year.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face
civil penalties from TSA.