TSA reminder to travelers after finding a gun in carry-on luggage
LEWISTON, ID — A reminder from the Transportation Security Administration, that guns are not allowed to travel through the security checkpoint.
This after the first firearm was detected at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport Monday evening.
The firearm was an unloaded 9MM Sig Sauer P-290, found in a woman’s carry-on luggage. She was headed to Salt Lake City. TSA Officers found the gun during a routine x-ray screening.
Lewiston police responded to the incident and interviewed the traveler and allowed her to give the firearm to a non-traveler.
This is the first firearm discovered by TSA in carry-on luggage at Lewiston so far this year. Last year, Lewiston TSA found an unloaded firearm in a carry-on. In 2020, no firearms were found at the security checkpoint.
TSA Spokesperson, Lori Dankers said Monday’s discovery should serve as a reminder for gun owners to travel legally. “When you travel with a firearm on a aircraft, what you're going to do is this: unload the firearm remove the magazine. Place all the ammunition into its original packaging you're going to place that inside the case with the firearm. You're going to lock it up with at least two locks for every case. If there's an opening for a lock, get a lock. Do not use a lock that is a TSA approved lock because the only person who should be able to access that firearm in that case is the owner of the gun.”
Once you have your firearm properly packed tell the ticket agent at the counter when you check your bag.
The recommended civil penalty for a firearm starts at $2,050 and can go up the statutory maximum of more than $10,000 per violation. TSA evaluates each incident on a case-by-case basis.
