2 Loaded Guns Caught At Philly International Airport In 2 Days: TSA

PHILADELPHIA — Transportation Security Administration officers at Philadelphia International Airport caught two loaded guns two days in a row over the weekend, authorities said.

The discoveries were made Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, a Broomall man was stopped at the TSA security checkpoint with a 9mm gun loaded with six bullets, TSA said.

The very next day, a Philadelphia man was stopped with a 9mm gun loaded with 15 bullets, including one in the chamber, according to TSA. Authorities also said he was in possession of three gun magazines with 45 additional bullets.

TSA officials contacted Philadelphia Police who responded to the checkpoint.

They arrested the Broomall man and confiscated his firearm. The Philadelphia man was permitted to exit the airport.

Both men face a stiff federal financial penalty that is likely to run into the thousands of dollars.

"It is disappointing to continue to see travelers bring their firearms to our checkpoints," Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, said. "Loaded guns represent a threat because the intention of the traveler is unknown. If you own a firearm, please do not bring it to a checkpoint. If you must travel with your gun, there’s a way to do so. The proper way to do it is to make sure it’s unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case and taken to the airline check-in counter. The airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to it during a flight."