APPLETON (NBC 26) -- A loaded handgun was detected by Transportation Security Administration officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Appleton International Airport last Friday.
The TSA said officers found a loaded .38 caliber handgun in the woman’s carry-on bag lining.
According to a news release from the TSA, officers called the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department. A deputy then responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the weapon.
The TSA didn't say whether the woman will face any charges or penalties, but the TSA did say the department reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns with them at a checkpoint. The TSA said the typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100 and can go as high as $13,669, depending on circumstances.
The TSA said even if a flyer has a concealed carry permit, they are still not permitted to bring a firearm into the passenger section of the airplane. A flyer could also lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at the airline check-in counter. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
