SEATAC, Wash. — Officers with the Transportation Security Administration at Sea-Tac Airport discovered two loaded guns at security checkpoints Wednesday morning during routine screenings of carry-on baggage.
The first firearm found was a loaded .380 caliber Sig Sauer. TSA officers detected it in the carry-on bag of a male passenger traveling to San Francisco. The second gun was a loaded 9 mm Ruger packed inside the carry-on of a man headed to Chicago. Both firearms were found within a four-hour period.
The firearm discoveries bring the total number of guns found by TSA at Sea-Tac's security checkpoints to 24. Nationwide, since January 1, more than 900 handguns have been found during routine screening of carry-ons at airports across the country.
TSA officers also found 56 rounds of ammunition Wednesday morning in the carry-on of a male passenger headed to Spokane, separate from the discoveries of the handguns.
Firearms, ammunition, firearm parts and realistic replicas of firearms are always prohibited in carry-on baggage. However, these items can be transported in checked baggage provided the traveler declares them to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
Officials urge passengers to consult their airline before packing any questionable items in the checked or carry-on baggage.
KIRO