TSA Officers Prevent Airport Employee from Carrying Loaded Gun Through Security Checkpoint

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Philadelphia International Airport recently intercepted an airport employee attempting to bring a loaded handgun through the security checkpoint. The incident occurred when the X-ray unit detected the firearm in the individual’s carry-on bag. The 9mm gun was loaded with nine bullets, one of which was in the chamber.

The man, a resident of Philadelphia and an airport retail concession shop employee, explained that he had inadvertently forgotten to remove his loaded gun after visiting a shooting range. As a result of this mistake, he was cited by local police, had his employee ID confiscated, and is unable to work at the airport without it. Additionally, he now faces a substantial financial civil penalty, which can reach up to $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, emphasized the importance of not carrying firearms through airport security checkpoints, whether for passengers or airport employees. TSA has the authority to issue civil penalties for such violations, and even travelers with concealed carry permits are not permitted to bring firearms through checkpoints. Violations can lead to significant fines and may also result in the loss of TSA PreCheck® privileges.

This incident underscores the strict security measures in place at airports to ensure the safety of all travelers and employees.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com,, tsa.gov