Loaded handgun discovered in carry-on bag
Transportation Security Administration officers prevented a loaded handgun from getting onto an airplane at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Monday, the agency said in a statement.
Around 8:30 a.m. on Monday during a routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on an X-ray screen, according to the statement.
TSA officials said the firearm was loaded. The traveler, a Pewaukee resident, said he forgot his pistol was in his bag. A Milwaukee County Sheriff 's Office deputy responded to the checkpoint and issued the passenger a citation.
The gun on Monday was the 10th firearm detected at Mitchell so far this year. A total of 16 firearms were detected at Mitchell security checkpoints in 2019, and 10 were detected last year.
Mitchell is owned and operated by Milwaukee County. The sheriff's office has a substation at the airport.
The TSA also said Milwaukee Mitchell International is now at 93% of its 2019 passenger throughput levels, nearly back to pre-pandemic numbers of passengers moving through security checkpoints at the airport.
With summer travel ramping up, “We want to remind everyone planning to fly out of Milwaukee to carefully inspect your bag before you pack it and head to the airport,” said Mark Lendvay, Wisconsin TSA federal security director, said in the statement. “This simple act could save you lots of time and money, along with avoiding possible arrest with local law enforcement.”
TSA may impose civil penalties of up to $13,910 per violation per person. A typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if the firearms are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.