Jim Fair
A demonstration was held at GSP Monday illustrating the correct way passengers should be traveling with their firearms.
Jim Fair
The gun, magazine, bullets and card indicating "unloaded weapons" should be safely stored in a hard-side case, according to the TSA.
Jim Fair
Mark Howell, spokesperson for the TSA, showed the packed box should be secured with a key or combination lock.
Jim Fair
A business card or notecard with passengers' information, such as cellphone or email address, should be displayed on the outside of the case for the TSA to contact travelers.
“I know what goes on out there,” Slovenski said. “I know everything is not good and I know where you go, trouble is coming anytime.”
Slovenski attended the TSA demonstration, at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Monday morning to learn how travelers should pack their firearms when traveling by air.
The number of firearms discovered at airport checkpoints nationwide increased to a record 2,213 firearms last year, said Mark Howell, spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration. Howell said 14 firearms were found in carry on bags at GSP.
Slovenski, a former law enforcement officer with the Greenville County and Simpsonville police department, wanted to make sure he would be compliant if and when he travels by air with a firearm. “I’m anticipating traveling with a firearm,” Slovenski, owner of Cellular Forensics, said.
“The number one mistake people make is they bring the firearm to the checkpoint,” Howell said. “The next common mistake is people think they can just bring firearms and put it in the baggage. Even if it’s in the bag it’s not the right way to do it – it must be in a hard-side case and declared at the airport.”
Howell demonstrated the safest and most compliant way for passengers to travel with their firearms.
A handgun, ammunition magazine, bullets package and note card reading “firearm unloaded” were displayed and packed into the case. Howell locked the case (either key or combination lock is OK), and suggested putting a business card or label on the outside with the owners’ name and contact information.
“These boxes need to be locked,” Howell said. “Declare the firearm to the airline you are flying, they are all different. The airline will provide a card or form to be put inside the case.”
If the TSA spots something on the X-ray that requires a look inside it will try to reach the passengers for the case to be opened. “We advise passengers to keep their cell phones on and their keys on them. If we can’t locate a passenger we will cut the lock,” Howell said.
TSA can levy a civil penalty up to $7,500 when a firearm is non-compliant and local law enforcement will take jurisdiction of the case, Howell said.
“If you follow these steps you will be fine,” Howell said. “At any point it’s not a good idea to bring the firearm out.”