As thousands of travelers are traveling this holiday season, airport officials are urging passengers to practice safe gun transportation. Experts say there has been a steep rise in the number of firearms being confiscated this year. Passengers at the Jackson Medgar-Wylie Evers International Airport are being reminded to check their carry-on luggage to ensure there are no prohibited items.
Kim Jackson, Federal Security Director with the TSA in Mississippi, says passengers should arrive at least two or three hours early for their flight to accommodate for long lines. For carrying liquid items, he says passengers can follow the 3-1-1 rule.
“Which means you can have up to 3.4oz or less, all liquids, gels, aerosols in a one-quart bag. The bag must be one-quart size and placed into a bin [at] the checkpoint. The exception is you can have up to 12oz of hand sanitizer on you in your carry-on bag.”
Thousands of prohibited items are collected by TSA officers each year, and several bins of knives, tools and small weapons have been collected since the beginning of November. But airport officials say there has been a 57% increase in the number of people attempting to take firearms onto airplanes as carry-on items. Airport Authority Chief of Police Dee McClendon says those violating rules for firearms could be arrested, fined, and have their gun confiscated.
“It is the responsibility of the owner, the possessor of the bags or firearm to know at all times what’s in their bag. To know the location of their firearm. So if it’s the intent to travel with this firearm, then this firearm must be declared with the airline along with their check bag.”
Further details on how to safely travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA’s website.
