Second firearm of year found at Idaho Falls Regional Airport security checkpoint
An officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a loaded firearm in a male passenger’s carry-on baggage traveling from Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) to Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
After the officer saw the image of the firearm on the x-ray screen, TSA notified the Idaho Falls Police Department who responded to the security checkpoint.
The firearm was a Glock 9 mm pistol loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition. An additional magazine with 17 rounds of ammunition was also found.
“Far too many handguns are making their way to Idaho airports,” said Andy Coose, TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho. “I respectfully ask that all Idahoans, in their own best interest, be cognizant of the fact that they should not have a firearm of any time in any bag they plan to bring to the airport.”
This is the second firearm this year that TSA officers have discovered in the carry-on bag of a passenger departing IDA, and nationwide more than 3,900 firearms have been found in passengers’ carry-on bags at more than 235 different airports.
In all of 2016, TSA officers at IDA discovered two guns in carry-on baggage.
TSA officials remind you firearms, ammunition, firearm parts and realistic replicas of firearms are always prohibited in carry-on baggage; however, these items can be transported in checked baggage provided the traveler declares them to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
