Loaded Gun Found In Carry-On Bag At Burbank Airport

BURBANK, CA — A pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition was found in a man's carry-on bag at a security checkpoint at Hollywood Burbank Airport, authorities said Thursday.

The 9-mm Glock 19 pistol was found while the bag was being X-rayed at 6 a.m. Wednesday before the man's flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to Lorie Dankers of the Transportation Security Administration.

Hollywood Burbank Airport Police personnel responded and the man was cited on a local charge, but permitted to continue on his flight after the weapon was confiscated, Dankers said. His name was not released.

Six firearms have been confiscated from carry-on luggage this year at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, and TSA officers around the nation discovered 13 guns in carry-on luggage Wednesday, Dankers said.

In the first five days of August, 52 firearms were found at security checkpoints, up from 46 firearms in the first five-days of August 2019.

A civil penalty between $2,050 and $10,250 may be levied against each of the armed passengers, according to Dankers. Their Trusted Traveler or TSA PreCheck statuses will also be revoked, but the duration of their disqualification from expedited screening benefits will depend on the seriousness of the offense and if there is a history of repeated violations.

"Despite a 70 percent decrease in passenger volumes nationwide this August as compared to last August, firearms are being brought to the security checkpoint in alarming numbers," said TSA Federal Security Director Anita Minaei who oversees TSA operations at Hollywood Burbank Airport. "If you are planning on traveling with a firearm, be warned."

"TSA officers remain focused on their mission of keeping security threats off of commercial aircraft. If you bring a gun to the security checkpoint in your carry-on luggage, it will be an inconvenient and expensive mistake."

Firearms are allowed on airplanes if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in a checked bag.

Authorities say travelers should go to the airline ticket counter to declare their firearm, ammunition and any firearm parts, and prior to traveling, they should check gun laws and regulations at their destination.

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--City News Service