Baltimore woman arrested after she was caught with loaded gun at BWI Airport
A Baltimore woman was recently detained at Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), after Transportation Security Administration officers caught her trying to carry a 9 mm caliber handgun past a security checkpoint. The gun was loaded with six bullets.
It marked the third gun that TSA officers have detected at BWI so far this calendar year. Last year TSA officers at BWI detected 16 firearms at the airport.
TSA officers detected the gun among the woman’s carry-on items as she was passing through the airport checkpoint this morning.
TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the woman. There was no impact to airport operations.
As a reminder, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $11,000.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site here. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
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