As Mississippians begin to plan for upcoming holiday travels, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding the public to educate themselves on firearm regulations before heading to the airport.
So far in 2024, TSA officers have intercepted 23 guns at checkpoints within the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. The most recent firearm intercepted by TSA at the Jackson checkpoints was on September 16 when a 28-year-old man headed for Charlotte, N.C. entered the checkpoint with a loaded Glock.
On August 31, a 43-year-old woman headed to Atlanta, Ga. entered the checkpoint with a loaded Ruger with ammunition chambered. On August 26, a 43-year-old man headed to Houston entered the checkpoint with a loaded Ruger. 20 other similar incidents have occurred at the capital city airport this year alone.
“Passengers should pack for a trip starting with an empty bag to be sure they are not carrying prohibited items before they enter our checkpoints,” TSA Federal Security Director for the State of Mississippi Kim Jackson said. “Make sure your firearm is not in your carry-on bag and also check that you do not have a pocketknife or other threats that are not permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.”
Most items prohibited in a carry-on bag can be placed in a checked bag. But anything that is flammable, corrosive, or explosive cannot travel anywhere on the plane. Hand grenades, even replica ones, cannot travel on the plane in checked or carry-on bags.
One planning to travel with a firearm must have it unloaded in a checked bag and secured in a locked hard-sided case. The gun owner must notify the airline of the firearm’s presence at check-in. Travelers are responsible for being aware of what the firearm laws are on each side of their trip or they may be cited or taken to jail instead of on their vacation or business trip. Firearms may not be legal to transport even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.
In addition to the 23 firearms intercepted in Jackson, 10 have been stopped at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, one at the Greenville Mid-Delta Regional Airport, one at the Hattiesburg Laurel Regional Airport, and two at the Tupelo Regional Airport.
“Last year passengers across the state of Mississippi brought 50 firearms to our security checkpoints with 35 of those in Jackson. So far this calendar year we have stopped 37 firearms across the state with 23 of them here at JAN,” Jackson said. “We are reminding the public to place their firearms in their checked bags and declare them to the airline.”
Many of the passengers across the country who bring firearms to a federal security checkpoint are arrested or issued notices to appear in court. Regardless of whether the individual is arrested or cited by law enforcement, with whom TSA immediately partners, passengers face a civil penalty imposed by the TSA that can reach nearly $15,000. If the traveler is in the TSA PreCheck program, those privileges will be lost for a period of time, possibly permanently.
The TSA is seeing record-breaking numbers of passengers traveling across the country, so those looking to travel by air are urged to arrive at airports early and heed the following travel tips:
- No firearms in carry-ons — Firearms must be in checked baggage. All firearms must be properly packed and declared to the airline at check-in, which means unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for additional guidance. It is the traveler’s responsibility to know what the firearm laws are on both sides of your trip.
- Leave all prohibited items at home — To reduce the likelihood of a bag search at the checkpoint, search your own suitcase, backpack, computer bag, or purse before leaving home. Unsure if it’s allowed: use the “What Can I Bring?” link on the TSA’s website.
- Prepare for the security checkpoint — Have a valid ID card readily available. If you are traveling with a carry-on bag, follow the liquids, gels, and aerosols 3-1-1 rule of 3.4 ounces or less for each item and the items should be placed in a one-quart-sized bag, one bag per passenger. To simplify your screening and even before entering the checkpoint, it is best to put your phones and any other content of your pockets into your carry-on rather than into a bin in the checkpoint.
- Help is available — Get live assistance by tweeting your questions to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or via Facebook Messenger. You can also call the TSA Contact Center at (866)289-9673.
- Enroll now in TSA PreCheck — Travel with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and avoid removing shoes, belts, liquids, laptops, and light jackets. Most new enrollees receive a known traveler number within five days, and membership lasts for five years.
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