GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a loaded handgun from being carried onto a plane Monday at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, according to a news release Thursday.
The incident happened about 5:45 a.m. and TSA officials immediately alerted airport police.
Officers responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the woman’s weapon, which was loaded with seven rounds of ammunition.
“Passengers are allowed to travel with their firearms and ammunition as long as they follow the proper procedures,” Grand Rapids TSA Federal Security Director Roger Dubuc said. “Passengers should know what is in their possession when arriving at the airport security checkpoints.”
TSA issues civil penalties to travelers who bring guns to a checkpoint.
A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100.
If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA Pre-Check, that individual will lose those privileges for a period of time.
This was the first firearm found at GRR this year, though a replica of a gun was also found this month.
Ten firearms were detected at GRR security checkpoints in 2019, and 12 last year.
Passengers are allowed to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.
More details on how to properly travel with a firearm can be found here.
