At Philadelphia International Airport, TSA officers prevented a Florida man from passing through security with a loaded 9mm handgun. The incident resulted in the confiscation of the weapon, a weapons charge against the man, and the possibility of a hefty civil penalty of up to $15,000.
TSA’s federal security director, Gerardo Spero, expressed frustration over repeated occurrences of gun owners attempting to bring firearms through checkpoints, especially with the approach of busy travel periods like Thanksgiving.
The year 2023 has seen a significant increase in firearms detected at PHL TSA checkpoints, with the number already reaching 41, nearly doubling the total from 2019 and nearing the record of 44 from the previous year.
TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein remarked on the worrying trend and the common excuse from passengers that they simply forgot about the loaded guns in their carry-on bags, which baffles other travelers.
This underscores the importance of responsible gun ownership, which includes being aware of one’s firearm at all times, especially when traveling.
