Air travelers are being reminded not to put guns in their carry-on luggage, after six loaded firearms have been found at Oregon airports over the last 10 days.
Transportation Security Administration officers found five guns at Portland International Airport and one at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford.
The agency is reviewing each case and expects to levy fines, which start at $2,050 and go up more than $10,000. The travelers that had TSA PreCheck will also have their expediated screening benefits revoked — at least temporarily.
TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said we’ve all seen the videos of unruly travelers. But she doesn’t think the incidents are linked and she doesn’t want to speculate on why there’s been a rash.
“Whether they say they forgot or some other excuse,” she said, “it’s really unacceptable.”
Guns can be transported on a commercial flight, but only if they’re declared to the airline, unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, and placed in checked baggage.
“The discovery of six loaded firearms in 10 days in Oregon is an astounding number,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Oregon Stephen Taber.
“Travelers take note: Check the contents of your carry-on luggage prior to coming to the airport to ensure that you do not bring prohibited items like these to the security checkpoint,” Taber said.
“Fortunately, TSA officers kept these potential security threats from making it onto an aircraft, ensuring that travelers were able to get to their destinations without incident,” he added. “The traveling public should be grateful for the attentive and watchful eye of TSA officers here and nationwide, who are responsible for securing our transportation system.”
Copyright 2021 Oregon Public Broadcasting
