OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A Crete man was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with a 9mm handgun loaded with 17 bullets at the Eppley Airfield checkpoint on Friday.
According to the TSA, officers caught the gun as it entered the checkpoint X-ray machine.
Airport Authority Police were contacted, confiscated the gun and detained the man for questioning before allowing him on his flight.
The TSA says passengers can travel with firearms in checked baggage if they're properly packaged and declared.
Firearms have to be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked and packed separately from ammunition.
Laws regarding firearm possession vary by state and locality.
Nationwide in 2019, 4,432 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at various checkpoints, averaging about 12.1 firearms per day. This is a 5% increase compared to 2018.
Eighty-seven percent of firearms found at checkpoints last year were loaded, the TSA says.
The TSA wants to remind travelers that those who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges. Even those with concealed firearm permits aren't allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on luggage.
See more details on how to properly travel with a firearm here.
Year | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
Guns caught at Eppley Airfield checkpoint |
13 |
12 |
9 |
17 |
15 |
2 |
(Note: 2020 numbers as of 2/14/20)
