Crime & Safety
2 Guns Stopped In One Day At Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport: TSA
A recent increase put penalty for bringing weapons to an airport as high as $14,950, depending on circumstances, the TSA said.
MILWAUKEE, WI — Security officers at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport intercepted two loaded handguns in one day on Thursday in separate incidents, marking the 14th and 15th gun stopped at the airport so far this year, according to a news release from the Transportation Security Administration.
Both guns were discovered in carry-on luggage when an officer noticed their image during the routine X-ray screening, the TSA said. The first was found around 9:40 a.m. while the other was found around 4 p.m. in separate incidents, according to the TSA.
Once the guns were discovered, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office was immediately notified, the TSA said.
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“Summer travel season has been busy, and bringing prohibited or illegal items to our security checkpoints because slows down the screening process for everyone until the incident is resolved,” said Wisconsin TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay in a news release. “If traveling with a firearm, pack it in a locked, hard-sided case and check the bag. Guns are never allowed in carry-on luggage.”
Prior to the two guns found Thursday, another was found on Aug. 4, the TSA said. The federal agency said 21 guns were found at the airport's security checkpoints last year.
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A recent increase brings the penalty for bringing weapons to the airport as high as $14,950, depending on circumstances. The federal security agency also revokes its "PreCheck" status for at least five years when passengers are found with a gun in their possession, the news release said.
Air travel is still possible with firearms, but they have to be in checked baggage while unloaded and packed away from ammunition inside a locked hardback case and declared when checking in at the airline, according to the TSA, although possession laws vary around the country. The agency noted travelers should contact their airline ahead of time as they may have additional requirements.
The TSA's website has additional information about how to legally travel with a firearm.
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