T.S.A. Says People Still Try to Bring Banned Items Through Security

The Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) at airports across the nation was created in the wake of 9/11 with the mission to protect the traveling public. Thirteen years later, the T.S.A. still sees a number of passengers attempting to bring prohibited items through security.

Lieutenant Carl Gangemi has been a member of the Gulfport Police Department’s Airport Division for four years. He says he’s been seeing more passengers attempting to bring handguns through security. Gangemi says, “Most of the time it’s either they’ve forgotten that they’re there or they didn’t realize that they shouldn’t have them.”

In the past year, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport has seen a 200% increase in the number of passengers coming through the checkpoint with a concealed weapon, which is considered a crime. Gangemi also says, “Once you present yourself or your bag to a T.S.A. agent for checking, if you have a concealed weapon in there, you’re gonna’ get arrested.”

Firearms are not prohibited on flights, but there are specific guidelines. They must be unloaded and locked in a hard-cased container and may only be inside checked baggage. Firearms must be declared at the airline ticket counter during the check-in process. David Wynn, Federal Security Director of Mississippi, says, “You would think after 13 years and all the publicity we’ve had enlightening the public, please do not bring weapons through the checkpoint, but we’re still seeing an increase in the number of weapons.”

Tuesday wasn’t just about weapons however. The T.S.A. set out a table displaying a variety of things that were confiscated from the airport in Gulfport, from brass knuckles to hammers. Wynn closes, “Be proactive and get our travelers to search their bags and ensure that they don’t have any prohibited items before they leave home.”

An item such as a hand weight is something that the everyday passenger might not realize is a prohibited item. The T.S.A. is encouraging passengers to go online and check what they can and cannot bring before packing their bag and heading to the airport.

By following security guidelines, passengers can avoid having a run in with officers like Lieutenant Gangemi and make it to their destination in a timely manner.