TSA seeing increase in firearms detected at security checkpoints

According to Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson, a total of 498 firearms were detected at TSA security checkpoints across Georgia's eight commercial airports, including one at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. And Howell says one firearm has been detected at Middle Georgia Regional Airport this year already. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/ WMGT) – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is urging travelers to properly pack firearms for travel after seeing an increase at security checkpoints.

According to Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson, a total of 498 firearms were detected at TSA security checkpoints across Georgia’s eight commercial airports last year, including one at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. Howell says one firearm has been detected at Middle Georgia Regional Airport this year already.

“We’re trying to get in front of this and make sure that passengers know the right way to travel with a firearm,” Howell said. 

Howell says the proper approach when traveling with a firearm is prepare, pack and declare. Howell says preparing properly means knowing the rules of the airline you’re traveling on and the destination you’re going to. You should pack your guns completely free of ammunition in a hard-sided case that’s able to be locked and declare your firearm to TSA when you arrive for your flight.

“If you do all of those things, TSA has no issue with you taking a firearm with you when you travel, as long as it’s packaged again safely and put underneath the aircraft and not accessible in the cabin,” Howell said.

Howell says upticks in firearms detected at security checkpoints is common across open carry states. He says the most common excuse TSA receives from travelers is they forgot to remove their gun from their bag or to leave it at home.

“It becomes part of a daily routine for some people to go out the door with their wallet, their phone, their keys and their gun,” Howell said.

To avoid this, Howell says you should always start packing using an empty bag.

“Don’t use a bag that you use to go to the range,” Howell said. “Don’t use a bag that has a pocket that you forgot to check.”

Howell says preparing, packing and declaring saves you a great deal of hassle, avoid delays for you and other people planning to board flights and also keeps you out of trouble.

“It’s going to get you a visit from law enforcement,” Howell said. “You’re going to get a civil penalty from TSA of up to $15,000. And if you’re a member of our TSA PreCheck program, you’re going to lose your PreCheck status for a period of up to five years.”

For more information on how to properly transport firearms and ammunition, click here.