TSA Holds Safety Demonstration After Man Brings Loaded Gun To BWI
LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) -- A few days after a man brought a loaded gun to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, the TSA holds a safety demonstration to explain the do's and don't's when it comes to traveling with a firearm.
As Linh Bui reports, hundreds of weapons get confiscated every year.
You are allowed to fly with a firearm, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.
A TSA officer spotted a loaded gun in a man's carry-on bag at the security checkpoint at BWI over the weekend.
"Makes me feel a little unsafe that people would even think to bring a gun to the airport now these days," said Brian Applebaum, traveler.
It's happening more and more.
According to the TSA, last year more than 1,800 firearms were detected at security checkpoints across the nation.
"Twelve years or so after 9/11, people are still bringing firearms to checkpoints. And not only that, the numbers are increasing," said Lisa Farbstein, TSA spokesperson. "People can travel with their firearms and they can travel safely, you just have to follow the rules."
Wednesday, the TSA went over those rules, demonstrating how to travel with a firearm.
"Put the firearm in the case, make sure it's a hard-sided case, and then you want to lock it," Farbstein said.
Make sure the firearm is unloaded. You must then declare it with your airline and fill out forms.
"The firearm goes in the belly of the plane. You can never take that firearm with you when you go to the checkpoint," said Farbstein.
All firearms and ammunition are prohibited in carry-on bags. Breaking the rules can result in civil penalties or arrest.
State, local and international governments also have their own rules, so keep that in mind when you're traveling.
Ryan Watson, 36, of Virginia is the man who brought the loaded gun in his carry-on bag at BWI. He's been arrested and charged in the incident.
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