TSA warns travelers of high number of firearms caught at South Texas airport checkpoints

After seeing an increase in handguns in security checkpoints at airports, Transportation Security Administration officials at the Corpus Christi International Airport are warning travelers to be wary of TSA rules and criminal penalties.

Across the country, TSA officers found 5,972 guns at airport security checkpoints last year. Eighty-six percent were loaded. Last year's numbers were a record high in the agency's 20-year history.

In 2021, TSA teams at San Antonio and South Texas airports, including Corpus Christi's, found 86 guns at security checkpoints. Only four months into 2022, security has stopped 36 guns. 

"It is alarming," Patricia Mancha, a media spokesperson for TSA in Texas, said at a news conference at the Corpus Christi airport Tuesday. "The No. 1 excuse we hear from travelers is, 'I forgot it was in my bag,' so it's really important for travelers to empty out their carry-on luggage before they start packing.

"There's no reason someone should bring a firearm, power tools or a knife to the checkpoint when all of that can be in your checked luggage."

Although people are allowed to travel with firearms, they must be properly packaged in checked baggage. Guns must be unloaded, placed in a hard-sided locked case and packed separately from ammunition. The locked case must be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared.

Even though a traveler may have a concealed carry permit, it does not mean the weapon can be carried onto an airplane.

"TSA's goals are to prevent an attack like 9/11 and prevent an explosion on a plane," Mancha said. 

What happens if a weapon is detected at an airport security checkpoint?

If a traveler is found to have brought a weapon to a security checkpoint, the penalty could be quite expensive. 

TSA may issue a civil penalty that could stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.

"As far as a handgun, they can expect a fine of up to $13,900, possible arrest, suspension from TSA PreCheck for an allotted period of time and often missed flights," Mancha said. "What happens when a gun is found is the police is called, so police will respond and it's not a quick process. By the time everything is sorted out, oftentimes the flight has left."

For more information on how to travel with a firearm, go to the TSA website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition.

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Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe