WASHINGTON — Transportation security officials say they seized a record-breaking number of firearms — 78 — last week in carry-on bags at airports around the country.
The Transportation Security Administration said that of the 78 firearms they found, 68 of them were loaded. The agency said the previous record of firearms seized was 74, and that was set on a week in May.
Among the items the TSA found in this latest stash were four “inert/replica grenades” in carry-on and checked bags at four airports, officials said.
The TSA reminded passengers in a statement, “If an item looks like a real bomb, grenade, mine, etc., it is prohibited.” And if such items are found at a security checkpoint, be prepared for delays — officials have to “respond to resolve the alarm.”
Local Angle
Pacific Northwest airports contributed to the Transportation Security Administration’s record-breaking week of firearms seizures. At Portland International Airport, security agents seized a .380 pistol, loaded and with a round chambered, on Aug. 11. A similarly loaded 9 mm handgun was found at Spokane International Airport on the same day. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, unloaded handguns were detected on Aug. 6 and Aug. 8. Finally, TSA agents in Eugene, Ore., seized a replica or disabled hand grenade last week, according to the TSA’s weekly blog. It was one of four seized nationwide.
“Even if they are novelty items, you are prohibited from bringing them on board the aircraft,” the agency said.
There were a few other interesting finds — a cane sword in a carry-on bag at the Omaha airport and a knife in a concealed pill bottle at San Francisco’s airport.
Ammunition is allowed in checked baggage but not in a carry-on bag, officials said. And any passengers who are traveling with firearms in their checked baggage must declare them with their airline, TSA officials said.
