A 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition was detected during a route X-ray screening at Fresno Yosemite International Airport Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. TSA photo

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) detected the first firearm of the year found in a male traveler’s carry-on bag this week.

The 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition was detected during a route X-ray screening Wednesday at 5:45 a.m, according to a TSA news release.

TSA officers notified FAT’s Department of Public Safety, which responded to the security checkpoint. The weapon was removed from the screening area by airport law enforcement, who contacted the traveler who was traveling to Harry Reid International Airport in LA Vegas.

The traveler was interview by law enforcement and ultimately allowed to continue on his travels. He also received enhanced screening prior to being allowed through the security checkpoint.

“My hope is that highlighting the discovery of this firearm will be an incentive for gun owners to reacquaint themselves with the rules on traveling with a firearm on a commercial aircraft,” said TSA Federal Security Director Fred Lau, who oversees security operations at FAT. “And, for those who don’t choose to follow the rules on traveling with a firearm, I am grateful for the TSA officers who work daily to screen all travelers and their carry-on property to ensure that no security threats make it into the cabin of an aircraft.”

Last year, TSA officers at FAT discovered 14 firearms in carryon luggage out of more than 1.4 million travelers screened.

Nationwide last year, TSA officers found 6,678 firearms at 277 different airports.

TSA levies a civil penalty against travelers in these cases, with the amount determined considering factors such as whether the gun was loaded or ammunition accessible. Individuals who violate the rules who participate in expedited screening programs such as TSA PreCheck will have those benefits revoked for a period of five years, said Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson.

Even gun owners with a concealed weapons permit are not allowed to put it in their carry-on luggage.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the U.S. airport with the most TSA firearm discoveries with 440. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport came in second with 390 followed by Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport with 272. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had 247.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage, according to the TSA. During the check-in process, the passenger must declare the weapon, ammunition and any parts at the airline ticket counter.

 

TSA firearm discoveries at FAT

2024 — 14

2023 — 14

2022 — 8

2021 — 14

2020 — 7

2019 — 11

 

Source: TSA