Man Arrested At BWI After Gun Found In Carry-On Bag
LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) -- Transportation security officials at BWI discover a gun in a man's carry-on bag.
Jessica Kartalija reports passengers say they are happy to wait in lines at security if it means staying safe.
Meat cleavers, throwing stars, brass knuckles--they're just some of the items confiscated by security agents at BWI. The latest weapon was discovered early Saturday morning.
"TSA officer who was staffing the X-ray monitor noticed what appeared to be a firearm--a handgun and two clips with 36 rounds of bullets as well," Lisa Farbstein with the TSA said.
The passenger says he didn't realize he couldn't bring guns through a checkpoint.
It is possible to board a flight with a weapon, but it has to be checked. It can't be carried on. It also has to be separated from the ammunition and it has to be declared prior to takeoff.
"You can never have a firearm with you in the plane cabin," Farbstein said.
Passengers say they don't mind waiting in line if it means staying safe in the skies.
"I find it safer that they check the bags before they let everyone on because of the crazy stuff nowadays," said Stephen Collins, Cumberland. "I find it necessary for them to have such long lines to find those weapons and stuff."
The handgun was confiscated by police. The man, who was heading to Atlanta, was arrested.
"In 2013, there were about 300 more firearms--close to 1,800 firearms--that TSA officers detected on passengers nationwide," said Farbstein.
Nationally, almost 2 million people go through TSA screenings every day.
Individual airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with a weapon.
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