TSA Officer stops assault rifle at Louis Armstrong New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – A Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officer at Louis Armstrong New Orleans Worldwide Airport (MSY) this week stopped a passenger with an assault rifle and 163 rounds of ammunition from being carried onto a aircraft headed to Houston.
“Menace detection is our mission and our devoted workforce is defending the touring public day by day,” mentioned TSA Federal Safety Director Arden Hudson. “Passengers have to concentrate on what’s inside their carry-ons earlier than coming into our checkpoint. The introduction of a loaded weapon poses an pointless danger to each the touring public and our staff.”
TSA officers partnered instantly with a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputy assigned to the airport. The deputy took management of the Palmetto PA-15 Multi AR firearm loaded with 30 rounds of .300 caliber ammunition. 5 extra magazines have been additionally loaded, bringing the overall to 163 rounds within the carry-on.
The traveler was a 52-year-old Jefferson, Louisiana, resident. He now faces a civil penalty from the TSA that would mirror the utmost of almost $15,000.
That firearm was the second intercepted on Valentine’s Day. Yesterday a Glock was stopped, bringing the overall to 14 firearms stopped this yr by TSA officers at MSY. 13 out of the 14 have been loaded. The passengers in New Orleans ranged in age from 24 to 52. Elsewhere within the state, a 64-year-old male was stopped at Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) this month and a 66-year-old male was stopped at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) in January. Each of these weapons have been additionally loaded.
In 2021 MSY – with 119 weapons intercepted – was within the high 10 airports within the nation for passengers violating federal regulation by bringing a firearm to the safety checkpoint. Whereas MSY didn’t make the listing in 2022, the quantity was nonetheless disturbingly excessive at 90 weapons. Additionally throughout Louisiana, TSA officers final yr intercepted 12 weapons at SHV, eight at Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), three every at Monroe Regional Airport (MLU) and Alexandria Worldwide Airport (AEX,) two at BTR and one at Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH).
“If you will journey together with your gun it should be in your checked bag, however make certain you already know precisely what the gun legal guidelines are on all sides of your journey,” mentioned Hudson, who leads TSA’s operations throughout the State of Louisiana. “Weapons might not be authorized to move even in checked baggage in some jurisdictions.”
Listed here are 5 ideas for getting by means of the TSA checkpoint as shortly and effectively as doable.
Tip 1: No weapons in carry-ons. Firearms should be in checked baggage. All firearms should be correctly packed and declared to the airline at check-in, which suggests unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided case. Contact your airline for extra steering. And it’s your accountability to know what the gun legal guidelines are on each side of your journey.
Tip 2: Go away all prohibited gadgets at dwelling. To scale back the probability of a bag search, a civil penalty from the TSA and doable arrest, search your individual bag earlier than leaving dwelling. Uncertain if it’s allowed: use the “What Can I Convey?” hyperlink on TSA.gov.
Tip 3: Put together for the safety checkpoint. Have a sound ID card available. Comply with the liquids, gels and aerosols 3-1-1 rule of three.4 ounces or much less for every merchandise and the gadgets needs to be positioned in a one-quart-sized bag, one per passenger, if you’re touring with a carry-on bag. Additionally empty your pockets into your carry-on slightly than right into a bin.
Tip 4: Assist is offered. Get reside help by tweeting your inquiries to @AskTSA in English or Spanish or through Fb Messenger. It’s also possible to name the TSA Contact Middle at 866-289-9673.
Tip 5: Enroll now in TSA PreCheck. Journey with ease by enrolling in TSA PreCheck and keep away from eradicating footwear, belts, liquids and laptops. Most new enrollees obtain a recognized traveler quantity inside 5 days, and membership lasts for 5 years.
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