A loaded firearm was found in a man’s carry-on luggage Monday at Juneau International Airport, Transportation Safety Administration officials say.
The gun — a .40-caliber Ruger SR40C, according to TSA — was discovered around 6 a.m. during a routine screening when a TSA officer spotted an image of a handgun on an X-ray screen, according to a news release from TSA. Juneau Police Department was immediately notified and responded to the security checkpoint.
The firearm was found in the luggage of a man who had a ticket to travel Monday morning to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to TSA. The traveler was not identified.
TSA will review the circumstances of the incident and levy a civil penalty against the passenger, according to TSA. The recommended penalty for a firearm starts at $2,000 and can go up to more than $10,000 per violation.
Travelers who violate the rules for traveling with firearms also have Trusted Traveler status and pre-check screening benefits revoked, according to TSA.
Firearms can be transported on commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked and hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage, according to TSA. Ammunition and firearm parts also must be in checked baggage.
Finding a firearm in a person’s carry-on luggage is relatively uncommon but not unheard of happening in Juneau.
This is the first firearm found in Juneau International Airport this year, according to TSA. Last year, TSA officers found two firearms in Juneau. Nationally, TSA has found 1,074 firearms so far this year.
