Two local Delawareans arrested at BWI on gun charges
A release from Transportation Security Administration reported that two local Delaware citizens were included in a total of three gun arrests at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport within a five-day span.
On Monday, November 14, TSA officials say that a woman was arrested with a loaded handgun at BWI. This was the third gun that TSA officers caught within a five days at the airport, however the incidents are not thought by officials to be related.
According to the report, TSA officers found the gun inside a Smyrna, Delaware woman’s large handbag as she entered one of the airport checkpoints. TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, and arrested the woman on state weapons charges. TSA noted that the gun was loaded with six bullets, including one in the chamber, but the woman claimed that she had just cleaned out her handbag, and did not notice that the gun was hidden inside when she headed to the airport. So, the Smyrna woman was claiming that she did not know she was carrying a loaded gun. She was reported to have been ticketed to fly to Columbus, Ohio.
The day before, Sunday, November 13, police say they arrested a Millsboro, Delaware, man who was carrying a loaded .22 caliber handgun loaded with six rounds. TSA officers stopped this man at the BWI Airport checkpoint, and he also stated that he forgot he was carrying a loaded handgun with him. It was noted in the report that he was ticketed to fly internationally to Toronto.
On Thursday, November 10, police say they arrested a Gwynn Oak, Maryland, man who was carrying a loaded .38 caliber handgun loaded with five bullets. TSA officers caught him with the weapon at one of the airport checkpoints, and the man told officials that he did not know that he had a loaded gun in his carry-on bag and also claimed that it did not belong to him. The report listed that he was ticketed to fly to Las Vegas.
TSA reminds flyers that firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition-are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
