Transportation Security Administration officers (TSA) stopped a Kentucky man from carrying a loaded 9mm handgun onto an airplane at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) around 6 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8.
A TSA detected the gun in the man's carry-on bag and alerted the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department.
A deputy responded to the incident and confiscated the gun, according to the TSA.
“Weapons and firearms like this are never allowed to board planes through the airport security checkpoints,” said Wisconsin’s TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay. “Passengers should check their belongings prior to arriving at the airport. Our TSA officers will continue to prioritize the safety and security of all travelers and crew members.”
TSA says that it reserves the right to issue civil penalties to travelers who have guns with them and that a typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. This applies to travels with and without concealed gun carry permits.
TSA says it's important to note that if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck™, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck™ privileges for a period of time.
More information on how to properly travel with a firearm can be wound on the TSA website.
