TSA stops guns at Dane,Wisconsin and Puget Sound airports
TSA stops gun at Dane County Regional Airport
MADISON – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a handgun from making its way onboard an airplane at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Tuesday.
During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. The incident occurred around 4:20 a.m., and TSA officials immediately alerted the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The firearm was loaded. The traveler, a La Crosse resident, had a concealed carry permit.
“This was a very good catch on the part of our officers at a time when we are seeing an increase in travel volume,” Wisconsin TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay said. “Still, it’s disturbing that we’ve seen two guns stopped at MSN checkpoints this month. This traveler made a careless and costly mistake.”
This is the second firearm stopped at an MSN checkpoint this year. In 2021, seven firearms were detected at MSN.
TSA may impose civil penalties of up to $13,910 per violation per person. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of civil penalties is on the TSA website. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges for a period of time.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
WAUSAU – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a handgun from making its way onboard an airplane at Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) Monday.
During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m., and TSA officials immediately alerted the Mosinee Police Department. The firearm was loaded. The traveler, a Stratford resident, had a concealed carry permit.
“This was a very good catch on the part of our officers at a time when we are seeing an increase in travel volume,” Wisconsin TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay said. “This traveler made a careless and costly mistake.”
This is the first firearm stopped at a CWA checkpoint this year. No firearms were stopped at CWA in 2021.
TSA may impose civil penalties of up to $13,910 per violation per person. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of civil penalties is on the TSA website. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges for a period of time.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
SEATTLE – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reminded travelers to be fully aware of the contents of their carry-on luggage prior to coming to the security checkpoint. This advisement comes after TSA officers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) have discovered three firearms this week and TSA officers at Paine Field (PAE) have discovered one.
All four firearms were discovered during the routine screening of carry-on luggage in the security checkpoint. There is no indication the four incidents are linked.
Here are the airports, dates and models of the firearm discoveries this week:
| PAE | April 12, 2022 | Springfield Armory XD semi-automatic handgun |
| SEA | April 12, 2022 | Jennings J25 pistol |
| SEA | April 12, 2022 | Kel-Tec .380 handgun |
| SEA | April 14, 2022 | Sig Sauer P365 9 mm handgun |
When a TSA officer sees the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, screening stops. TSA immediately notifies the airport law enforcement agency at each airport, which responds to the security checkpoint to remove the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and resolve the matter.
“Four firearms in a single week is notable and disappointing. TSA consistently reminds travelers to check the contents of their carry-on luggage prior to coming to the airport to ensure that there are no items that pose a security threat. Despite these advisements, travelers continue to bring prohibited items including firearms to the security checkpoint,” said TSA acting Federal Security Director for Washington Dan Wyllie. “Fortunately, TSA officers remain vigilant in their screening duties to protect the traveling public. People who bring firearms in their carry-on quickly realize that it is an inconvenient and expensive mistake. And, these travelers’ actions slowed down the security screening process for everyone else who was coming through the security checkpoint around the same time.”
TSA will review the circumstances of today’s incident and levy a civil penalty of up to $10,000 against each passenger.
To date, TSA officers at SEA have discovered 30 firearms in carry-on luggage. At this same point in 2021, TSA officers had discovered 19 firearms. At PAE, TSA officers have discovered two firearms so far this year. They had not detected any at this point in 2021.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, declared to the airline and placed in checked baggage. Ammunition, firearm parts and any type of replica firearm are also prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be checked.
Currently, TSA operations at SEA and PAE are extremely busy. This level of activity is expected to stay steady throughout the spring and into the summer travel period. This is why it is critical that travelers come prepared for the screening process to ensure the most efficient experience for everyone.
Generally speaking, the busiest times at TSA security checkpoints are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and late afternoon starting around 5 p.m. The busiest days to travel are Thursdays and Fridays as well as Sundays and Mondays.
These peaks are driven by the flight departure schedules determined by the airlines. When there are multiple flight departures over a short period of time, there will be intervals when
the number of departing passengers exceeds the capacity of the TSA security checkpoints. This is why it is essential that travelers arrive well ahead of their flight departure time to allow time for completion of every step of the travel process.
Additional tips to help
Here are some additional tips to help everyone’s trip through the security checkpoint go smoothly during the summer travel season:
Listen for guidance from TSA officers. Many people have not traveled recently, so it is important to listen to the direction given by uniformed TSA officers in the security checkpoint. They strive to provide a top-notch screening experience and deliver the highest level of security to all travelers.
Empty your pockets when you get to the checkpoint. Place wallets, phones, keys, sunglasses and other loose items from your pockets inside your carry-on bag instead of placing them in a bin. This will reduce touchpoints and ensure items are not left behind.
Follow the rule for traveling with liquids. Gels, liquids and aerosols are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less in carry-on luggage. The general definition for this rule is that if you can spill it, spray it, pump it or pour it, then it is subject to the liquids restriction rule.
Pack smart. Travelers should be aware of the contents of their carry-on bags and make sure they are not bringing prohibited items to the security checkpoint. To determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage, download the MyTSA app and use the “Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to contact @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger to get answers to your travel questions.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck® Experience a smoother screening process by enrolling in TSA PreCheck®. Eligible travelers do not need to remove shoes, belts, light outerwear, laptops, electronics larger than a cell phone or travel-size liquids from carry-on luggage. Start at www.tsa.gov/precheck.
Continue to wear a face mask. The federal requirement to wear a mask anywhere in the nation’s transportation system remains in place. TSA will continue to assess the duration of the requirement in consultation with CDC.
TSA stops gun at Dane