Armed Fallston Man Arrested At BWI, Officials Say

LINTHICUM, MD — A Fallston man was arrested this week at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) for allegedly trying to pass through security with a gun.

The Harford County man, who was not publicly identified, was arrested on state weapons charges, according to the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). Authorities said they detected a gun Monday at the TSA checkpoint, where the man put his carry-on items on the conveyor belt to be x-rayed.

Officials said they found a semiautomatic handgun loaded with 15 bullets, including one in the chamber. TSA personnel contacted Maryland Transportation Authority Police, who came to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man on state weapons charges.

The Fallston man's gun was the third confiscated at BWI this month, authorities reported Wednesday. In all, there were 24 guns confiscated at BWI in 2016.

Related: Record Number of Firearms Found at BWI Airport Checkpoints in 2016

Firearms are never allowed at security checkpoints. Passengers who try to transport firearms through security checkpoints face criminal charges and up to $12,000 in civil penalties.

How To Take Firearms On Flights

Firearms are permitted in checked bags if the following requirements are met:

• Firearms are declared to the airline in advance.
• Guns are unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided container.
• The owner possesses the necessary permits.

Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on, but may be transported in checked baggage.

Passengers should check with their airlines to see whether ammunition is permitted in checked baggage. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees.

More information on how to travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA's website.

Pictured, authorities said a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun belonging to a Fallston man was confiscated at BWI on Monday, April 17. Photo courtesy of the TSA.