Florida man stopped with handgun in carry-on bag at Philadelphia International Airport: TSA

PHILADELPHIA - A Florida man was stopped by TSA Agents at Philadelphia International Airport after they allegedly found a gun in his carry-on bag Tuesday.

Officials say Philadelphia police officers were called to the security checkpoint after an x-ray unit alerted TSA Agents about a gun inside the carry-on.

The gun, a loaded SIG Sauer 38 caliber pistol with a clip ,was confiscated by Philadelphia police officers, who issued the man a criminal citation. He could also face a stiff federal financial civil penalty, officials say.

It was the 30th firearm stopped by TSA Agents at Philadelphia International Airport this year, which is far less than the 45 caught in 2023 and 44 in 2022.

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"Bringing a loaded firearm to an airport security checkpoint introduces an unnecessary security risk to our officers and to fellow travelers," TSA's Gerardo Spero said.

Officials have reminded passengers that it is possible to travel with a firearm, as long as it is stored correctly and declared with the airline you're traveling with.

More information on how to travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA's website.

"It’s a fairly simple process," Spero said. "The airline will make sure it's transported in the belly of the plane so that nobody has access to it during the flight."

A TSA security official reminds travelers that "no firearms are permitted to be carried onto the cabin of an aircraft."

The TSA said the Florida man was issued a criminal citation and will face federal civil penalties likely to cost him thousands of dollars.

Christian Vallen of Boston, a gun-rights advocate, said responsible gun owners don’t act this way.

"I would say a majority of gun owners abide by the law, are very respectful of it. They keep their guns locked up and safe. I’d say this is a small few that create a bad reputation for the rest of us," said Vallen.