A loaded .380 caliber handgun was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag Thursday evening at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
At approximately 6 p.m. Thursday evening, a loaded .380 caliber handgun was discovered in a passenger’s carry-on bag.
Airport police took possession of the bag and cited the passenger on local charges.
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.”
This is the first firearm discovered at the security checkpoint by TSA officers at GSP in 2015. A total of 16 were found at GSP in calendar year 2015.
In addition to potential criminal charges, passengers who bring firearms to a checkpoint face civil penalties from TSA.