TAMPA, Fla. — The Transportation Safety Administration said 13 loaded guns were found at security checkpoints at Tampa Bay area airports over the Veterans Day weekend.
In a release, TSA said 11 loaded guns were detected at Tampa International Airport, while one was found at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, and another loaded gun was stopped at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
The guns found at TPA included multiple 9mm and two .380 caliber guns.
Mark Howell is a regional spokesperson for TPA. He said passengers need to do better properly securing their firearms.
"That's a really high number. If you look at the number of firearms that we detected for the entire year at Tampa, which is 120, detecting 11 in a four-day period is worrisome," said Mark Howell, the TSA Regional spokesperson.
TSA said local law enforcement officers were contacted immediately and removed the firearms and the passengers from the checkpoints. Travelers with loaded guns could face criminal and civil penalties, which can increase to a maximum of $15,000 per violation.
"The first thing we're going to do is stop screening on that lane and we're going to call our law enforcement partners in to respond," Howell said. "You bring that firearm to the checkpoint, you're subjected to law enforcement arresting or citing you. You'll get a civil penalty up to $14,950."
Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have TSA PreCheck eligibility revoked for a period of up to five years and will receive enhanced screening when returning to the checkpoint.
When asked to compare the situation to a normal weekend, TSA said one or two loaded weapons are typically detected on a weekend. Finding 11, the TSA said, would be abnormal even for an airport like Atlanta or Dallas.
So far this year, TSA officers have detected 120 firearms at Tampa International.
Last year, TSA officers stopped 144 firearms at TPA.
Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage. Any type of replica firearm is prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
At the airport during the check-in process, a passenger needs to go to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts. Prior to traveling, passengers are encouraged to check gun laws and regulations at their destination to ensure they are in compliance with local and state laws. TSA also recommends travelers check with their airline prior to their flight to ensure they comply with any airline-specific requirements.
For more information on traveling with a firearm visit, click here.
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