TSA found two guns on passengers at Cleveland Hopkins this weekend; police seized weapons

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Authorities stopped two passengers from taking guns onto planes at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport this weekend.

The first incident occurred on Friday. A firearm was detected in a person's carry-on bag during a routine check. Transportation Security Administration agents notified Cleveland police, who seized the unloaded weapon.

On Sunday, a passenger showed up for an X-ray screening when a TSA agent noticed the firearm in a carry-on bag. Cleveland police responded and confiscated the gun, which was loaded.

Both passengers told police they were unaware the weapons were in their bags.

“As summer travel resumes and we continue to see high passenger volumes, incidents like this can have serious consequences on our operations,” said Don Barker, TSA Federal Security Director in the 'Ohio. “Bringing a firearm to a security checkpoint not only slows down individuals in that lane, but it also slows down everyone in line behind them and is a safety and security issue.” »

The guns are among 15 the TSA has seized this year from Hopkins.

Last year, 38 firearms were detected at the airport. During the first quarter of last year, more than 1,500 firearms were seized at airport checkpoints across the country.

Penalties for bringing a firearm through an airport checkpoint can reach $14,950. The TSA determines the amount based on specific circumstances. The TSA can revoke PreCheck eligibility for at least five years for passengers stopped with a firearm at checkpoints.

Passengers are allowed to travel with firearms in their checked baggage if the weapons are unloaded. Ammunition must be packaged separately in a locked hard case.