News

TSA finds two loaded guns at Sea-Tac Airport

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.