BOISE, Idaho — The Transportation Security Administration says their officers detected two loaded firearms at two different Idaho airports in the last week.
The first handgun that was detected was at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport on Friday, July 5. The gun was discovered by a TSA officer at 8:55 a.m. on a piece of carry-on luggage of a man that was booked to fly to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.
The firearm found on the man was a Taurus 9 millimeter G2C semi-automatic handgun, which was loaded with 12 rounds.
On Monday, a TSA officer detected a loaded firearm in the carry-on luggage of a man that was booked to travel to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The gun the man was carrying was a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9 millimeter. The handgun was loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
Both guns were discovered when the carry-ons were going screened by an x-ray. Airport law enforcement confiscated both weapons and now the Ada and Bonneville county prosecutor's offices are overseeing the investigations.
“These two firearm discoveries a few days apart should serve as a reminder to all travelers to check the contents of your luggage prior to coming to the airport to ensure you don’t bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint,” Andy Coose, the TSA federal security director for Idaho, said in a statement. “Many of the items that are prohibited in carry-ons are allowed in checked luggage. Take a few minutes to pack properly - and legally - for your trip.”
So far this year, 11 guns have been found by TSA officers at Idaho airports, including nine at the Boise Airport.
The maximum civil penalty for bringing a firearm to an airport security checkpoint is a fee of $13,333.
