NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A loaded firearm was discovered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Nashville International Airport (BNA) this morning.
Around 9:30, a Taurus 9mm handgun was detected in a passenger's carry-on bag. TSA alerted airport police, who then took possession of the bag and escorted the passenger out of the checkpoint area.
Firearms may be transported in checked baggage - as long as the airline is made aware and the firearm is in a proper carrying case and unloaded - but they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
TSA extends a reminder to passengers that it is important for them to search their bags before heading to the airport.
"Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint," Mark Howell, TSA Regional Spokesperson said. "Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure they are no illegal or prohibited items."
This is the 33rd firearm detected by TSA officers at BNA checkpoints so far in 2019. 86 firearms were detected last year.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA. More information can be found here. For more information about prohibited items, head to the permitted items list on the TSA website, or the transporting firearms page on their website.
