The TSA is constantly reminding air travelers to examine their bags before getting to a security check point to be sure they are not carrying a prohibited item.
The next time Ryan H. Hargan, 41, of Jackson, Minn. flys, he probably will.
Hargan was passing through Terminal 2 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on July 26 when screeners found a loaded .380 caliber Smith and Wesson in his carry-on bag. According to an airport spokesman, Hargan had a concealed carry permit and had forgotten that the weapon was in his bag.
"It does surprise me, though, that in this day and age anyone would forget about a gun or not know the contents of their bags when coming to the airport," said airport spokesman Pat Hogan.
About 30,000 to 40,000 people a day are screened at MSP and so TSA workers have found around 20 guns in the first eight months of this year.
Last week the TSA said it discovered 42 firearms in passengers' carry-on luggage at the nation's airports. Of them 33 were loaded and nine had rounds chambered.
So let's go over the rules again: you are not allowed to carry weapons — including firearms, parts of firearms and ammunition— in your carry-on bag. You can however, pack them in your checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and you tell the airline you have one (or two). If you do bring a firearm to an airport checkpoint you could face criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA.
Passengers who are caught can face a penalty as high at $7,500 the TSA said.
