The Transportation Security Administration is out with yet another reminder for passengers who fly to leave their firearms at home. This comes after agents found a record-breaking 78 firearms in carry-on bags at the nation's airport during the week of Aug. 5 to 11.
That broke the previous weekly record of 74 set just back in May.
Of the guns confiscated, 68 were loaded and 21 had a round chambered, the TSA said on its blog. Agents at MSP confiscated a 9mm gun that was loaded and chambered on Aug. 9.
In many cases, the TSA says, passengers simply forgot they had the items with them. But, each time an item that can't be taken on an aircraft is found "the line is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation and in some cases is even arrested," the TSA said.
Passengers who are caught with prohibited items can face a fine as high as $11,000, so "this is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home."
Firearms and ammunition are allowed in checked baggage provided passengers notify the airline.
Along with guns, TSA agents routinely confiscate other no-nos, including firearm components, realistic replica firearms, pellet guns, bb guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, batons, stun guns and small pocketknives.
It an item looks like a real bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited," the TSA said. "Even if they are novelty items, you are prohibited from bringing them on board the aircraft."
