BALTIMORE – A Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, woman was arrested at Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on Wednesday (June 8) after Transportation Security Administration officers caught her trying to carry a gun past a security checkpoint. The 9 mm handgun was not loaded.
TSA officers detected the gun among the woman’s carry-on items as she was passing through the airport checkpoint. TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the woman, a resident of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, on state weapons charges.
The woman was traveling with a male companion, who said that he had given the firearm to the woman as a gift.
As a reminder, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $11,000.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies
