TSA stops passenger with two loaded guns at RDU
RALEIGH DURHAM INTERNATIONAL (WTVD) -- Officials at Raleigh Durham International Airport say Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a passenger from bringing two loaded handguns on board a plane Tuesday morning.
Officials said TSA officers detected both the guns and ammunition as the traveler was passing through the TSA Precheck Checkpoint just after 7 a.m.
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TSA staffing the checkpoint X-ray machines detected the firearms as they passed along the conveyor belt inside the traveler's carry-on bags, according to officials. Officers then contacted the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Police Department.
The passenger was questioned and cited.
As of Tuesday, TSA officers have caught nine firearms at RDU this year. Authorities said there was a 54 total in 2016.
Officials say there is a right way to travel with a firearm and a wrong way. The wrong way is to bring it to a checkpoint.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Then the firearm must be taken to the airline check-in counter for proper firearm declaration procedures.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm on TSA.gov.
Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers are advised to contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
