A loaded firearm was discovered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) checkpoint Thursday evening.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., a loaded .380 caliber handgun was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag.
TSA alerted airport police, who took possession of the bag and cited the passenger on state charges.
This is the sixth firearm discovered by TSA officers at the security checkpoint at GSP in 2017. A total of 14 were found there in 2016.
While firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded), they are prohibited in carry-on bags.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint,” said Mark Howell, TSA Regional spokesperson. “Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.”
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA.