As the busy summer travel season kicks into high gear and tips for travelers roll out from here and there, here’s one helpful piece of advice gun owners should heed: make sure you remove your firearms from purses, pockets and satchels before heading to the airport.
It seems impossible in this era of terrorism alerts and heightened attention to travel safety, but people keep taking their firearms with them to the airport.
Last week TSA officers discovered a record 82 firearms in carry-on bags at airports around the country.
Of those record 82 firearms discovered, 66 were loaded and and 18 had a round chambered
That eclipses the record of 81 firearms found during one week in August 2016 and tied in March 2017.
Most travelers found with firearms in their carry-ons say they simply forgot they had those weapons with them. Others may just be using that excuse to evade serious repercussions when caught
In some states, and under certain circumstances, nothing much happens to travelers found with firearms in their carry-ons; they’re simply told to put their guns elsewhere (Their parked cars, maybe? Or to send them home with a friend?) In some cases, though, travelers bringing firearms to the checkpoint can be arrested and fined up to $11,000.
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Please, airports, take the guns away and fine them all minimum of $11,000. And give the money to a fund that feeds hungry ppl. Or some such.
(btw, Ppl who “forget” they have weapon at airpot need to be stopped from flying. Maybe they will “remember” next time. Bet it drops the number of forgetful incidents PDQ.