A Florida man was slapped with a police citation at Philadelphia International Airport after TSA officials caught a loaded gun in his carry-on bag, authorities reported. The incident, which occurred at a security checkpoint on April 23, involved a .38 caliber revolver filled with five bullets. According to the man, he had forgotten the weapon was in his bag.

The traveler now faces a criminal citation and the grim prospect of shelling out up to $15,000 in civil penalties. Gerardo Spero, the TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport, expressed frustration over the trend of passengers forgetting their firearms, stating to the media "It is disappointing that so many travelers who are found to be in possession of their guns at our checkpoints claim that they forgot that they had it with them." Spero underscored the responsibility of gun owners to be aware of their weapon's whereabouts at all times.

Statistics from TSA show a varying number of firearms intercepted at Philadelphia International Airport checkpoints over the years, with totals swinging from 25 in 2018 to a spike at 45 in 2023.

Under federal law, even passengers with a concealed carry permit are not exempt from facing penalties if they attempt to bring a firearm through airport security. As the rules stand, the mere attempt can not only be costly, but it can also result in the loss of TSA PreCheck® privileges, a valuable asset for frequent flyers who enjoy expedited screening. For those uncertain about traveling with firearms, the TSA advises checking their website or using the myTSA app for guidance, highlighting this information in a press release. Concerned travelers can also reach out to TSA directly via Twitter, Facebook Messenger, or text for real-time assistance.