Flying with a firearm, maybe for the last time

[Euler]

CNN

CNN said:

Airline passengers are bringing guns to the airport in numbers never seen before, and it is a "huge problem," the Transportation Security Administration chief told CNN.

...

TSA reports catching 4,650 firearms at checkpoints in the first 10 months of the year -- a majority of which were loaded. That number surpasses the full-year record of 4,432, set in 2019.

 

And with 11 weeks left in the year -- including the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas travel seasons -- [TSA Administrator David] Pekoske says he thinks the number of confiscated weapons reflects an American population that is increasingly armed.

 

"I think more people are carrying weapons, just generally across the country, and then whatever is happening across the country we see reflected in our checkpoints," he said. "As a passenger, I don't want a another passenger flying with me with a gun in their possession."

 

The agency is also finding guns at a far faster rate than it has ever experienced. During the lows of air travel during the pandemic in 2020, transportation security officers confiscated a gun from about 10 passengers in every 1 million. This year, they're finding 11 armed passengers in every 1 million.

 

Most of the firearms found were loaded -- more than 3,900, or more than 80%.

 

"No checkpoint, no airport is immune from having passengers try to carry guns through the checkpoint," Pekoske said. "It does occur more frequently in again the states where gun carriage is at a higher rate compared to other states."

...

The penalties for attempting to bring a firearm through a checkpoint start at about $2,500 for an unloaded weapon and range up to $10,000 for a loaded weapon. Penalties are higher for subsequent offenses, although Pekoske said they rarely see repeat offenders. The agency can also revoke PreCheck membership, local authorities may criminally prosecute, and in the Pittsburgh area, TSA says a sheriff's department has agreed to revoke concealed carry permits for individuals who try to bring a gun through a checkpoint.

[Kipp Jones]

What is the upside for intentionally attempting to bring a firearm on board? We all forget things but when traveling, is there not a personal responsibility for inspecting your luggage at home?

 

 

[Euler]

On 10/13/2021 at 6:54 PM, Kipp Jones said:

What is the upside for intentionally attempting to bring a firearm on board? We all forget things but when traveling, is there not a personal responsibility for inspecting your luggage at home?

 

Flying with a firearm in (checked) luggage is legit (with a few extra hoops). I'm pretty sure this article is about people who are trying to go through security with a firearm on their person.

 

[Kipp Jones]

It is quite obvious it is.

[RandyP]

Every day we can all rejoice in the prescience of Mrs Gump - "Stupid is as stupid does."

[SiliconSorcerer]

I went to a Vegas gun show with my computer bag that a friend had returned a borrowed firearm in the weekend before at a local show an failed to mention it. 

yeah, I mailed it back.   This was a while ago, right after CC whenever that was and problems had started.   I would have been SCREWED if they found it. 

 

 

[OneGun]

Bottom line, people need to be responsible for their own actions.

[RandyP]

Also..... maybe REALLY check your carry-ons BEFORE you get to the airport and attempt to carry them on? Another great tip? If someone steals your heroin or crystal meth stash? Don't file a Police report, especially in person at the station.

[TRJ]

I think the vast majority of these people are the ones who don't understand that their Constitutionally carried, or permitted carry rights don't extend to airplanes. They go there ASSuming their permit or permissive state grants them the right to go wherever they want while armed. So the issue isn't stupidity or intentional troublemaking, it's ignorance and complacency.

[mab22]

It's a CNN article so..... Guns bad, Americans bring guns to airports... its a crisis according to CNN....

So whats new...YAWN.

 

[Euler]

CNN may choose to report certain issues, but I doubt that CNN is directing the TSA.

[CrewChief]

That’s one area where I’m pretty persnickety: I will not use a bag as a carryon if it has EVER been to the range with me.  I know all of the guns would be out of it, but I’ve had bags poop live rounds months after I’ve taken them to the range.  As I understand it, TSA isn’t as down on ammo as they are with firearms, but it’s still good for an arrest and a fine, IIRC.

 

CC

[Mike]

I don't even wear shoes I've worn to the range when traveling.  I don't want a german shepherd to alert on me and I remember when it was common practice for TSA to swab things for explosive residue. 

[SiliconSorcerer]

If I know I have time to burn I ... with them. 

Toss a match into a small pile of black power. 

I've had to go to a private room several times now, that and all the metal in my body it's a party. 

I however always fedex my firearm to myself at the hotel where I'm staying. 

 

 

[soundguy]

Paraphrasing Chance the gardener... "I like to drive".

 

I haven't been on a plane for a few years now and I do not miss it. If I had to fly, overseas or something, no problem. I generally find the TSA folks and all others I encounter to be quite pleasant and often interesting. There is no place I currently need to go to which requires the speed and extra hassle of air travel. The journey is often as pleasant as the destination...