(Des Moines, IA) -- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected a loaded handgun this (Friday) morning at the Des Moines International Airport. The TSA says it's the second firearm detected at a Des Moines checkpoint this year. The prior incident occurred Jan. 15. Seven firearms were detected at DSM security checkpoints in total last year.
The TSA says an officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen during routine screening of carry-on luggage.
During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. Des Moines Police were notified, an officer came and confiscated the gun and issued a citation. The firearm was loaded with the safety engaged.
“Passengers are allowed to travel with their firearms and ammunition as long as they follow the proper procedures,” Iowa TSA Federal Security Director John Bright said. “Responsible firearm owners always know where their guns are, and they should never bring them to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”
Nationally, more than 6,700 firearms were stopped at airport checkpoints in 2023.
In addition to any action taken by law enforcement, TSA fines passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint with a civil penalty up to approximately $15,000, revokes TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years and may conduct enhanced screening to ensure there are no other threats present.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hard-sided case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.