The Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) has reported a record-breaking amount of loaded firearms found by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
TSA officers stopped two firearms from making their way onboard airplanes at JAN this week, with the most recent incident occurring on Monday at around 10:15 a.m. when a male passenger presented his carry-on bag for screening. The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Police Department was notified and took possession of the loaded weapon at the checkpoint.
At this time, the total number of firearms brought to JAN is sitting at 25, breaking the previous annual record of 24.
“This trend is alarming and needs to be addressed with urgency,” TSA Federal Security Director for the State of Mississippi Kim Jackson said. “TSA has not forgotten the lessons our country learned from 9-11 and those who violate our policies will face heavy penalties and possibly criminal charges.”
Individuals who bring a gun to a security checkpoint face a federal financial civil penalty that can reach as high as $14,950, depending on the circumstances.
TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.
“Our Transportation Security Officers understand the gravity of our mission, and we remain dedicated to it,” Jackson added. “TSA has doubled the fines, so the consequences can be costly, but that doesn’t begin to compare to the cost of human lives that could be endangered.”
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case, and declared at the airline check-in counter.
