Traveling with guns, Colorado Springs Airport demonstrates the right way
The holidays are quickly approaching and with that, TSA at the Colorado Springs Airport is making sure they are more than prepared.
Friday, TSA had a demonstration on how to properly check a firearm, and what can and can’t be brought onto a plane.
In 2017, nearly 4,000 firearms were discovered at U.S. Airports. And, El Paso County has issued the most concealed weapon permits in the state of Colorado.
Firearms are clearly never allowed through security checkpoints, but they can travel in a locked hard-sided case marked as checked baggage.
Early Friday, Sharla Campbell with TSA demonstrated how to properly secure your firearm.
Campbell demonstrated, “This is a small handgun we are going to put that in here; we are going to put your declaration in there with it. If you have some ammunition we will talk about ammunition in a little bit, along with that. So you’re going to put that in your case, you’re going to shut it, you’re going to lock it and then you are going to hand it to the airline.”
But what happens if you don’t do this? Law enforcement will be called and you will face a large fine.
“Also you are going to get a civil penalty with TSA on average, for a loaded firearm could be four thousand to 13 thousand dollars,” said Campbell.
So far this year, 10 firearms have been surrendered to TSA. Which is up from just 9 total last year. Sgt. Matt Harrell says they treat every situation as a worst-case scenario.
“Until we determine what the rationale was or the reasoning for bringing a weapon through the checkpoint, we take it very seriously,” said Harrell.
Willy Jordan, who has a concealed weapons permit says he doesn’t have an issue with firearms, as long as you are responsible.
“You know, pack them accordingly and do what you’re supposed to do, ” said Jordan. ” By all means carry it where you need to carry it.”
As for the most recent situation, Campbell said they just had an incident last month. However, every incident they have had this year has been ruled an accident.
To compare, Denver has found more than 100 firearms this year. And last year, TSA saw a 17 percent increase .
