JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Due to the hundreds of improperly stored firearms found at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, officials at Jacksonville International Airport held a demonstration to show the proper way to pack firearms for travel.
In 2023, 450 firearms have been detected at security checkpoints in 19 Florida airports. The record number of detected guns in the prior year was 854. So far this year at Jacksonville International Airport, 68 guns have been detected, five fewer than last year.
According to AAA, an estimated 7.5 million people will fly to their upcoming holiday destinations, including Northeast Floridians and Southeast Georgia residents who fly out of the Jacksonville airport.
TSA spokesperson Mark Howell said people traveling with their firearms need to properly pack their guns in a hard case with interior padding to prevent problems at the airport.
“Before placing them inside the case, the firearm needs to be completely unloaded. So, you’ll take the magazine out of the weapon and make sure no rounds are chambered. Once it’s empty, you can place the firearm inside the case,” Howell said.
Loose ammunition is prohibited, so bullets must be secured in the magazine or in a small box that can be placed into the hard case. Then it’s time to close the case and lock it.
When you arrive at the airport ticket counter, you must declare to the airline that you are traveling with a firearm that is stored in a case inside your luggage. You will fill out a declaration card and place it in the hard case before dropping off your checked-in luggage.
Howell said after you have completed the declaration process, it’s a good idea to wait in the ticketing area for about 10 to 15 minutes before you go through the security checkpoint line. If you are not notified about any problems, then you’re good to go through.
Howell also said some people forget they have a firearm in their carry-on bag, which becomes a big problem when they try to go through a TSA checkpoint.
“Once you start the screening process and that firearm is detected, that’s what sets off the process of getting law enforcement involved,” Howell said.
He said violating airport gun laws would result in a federal fine and additional screenings for future flights, and if the violation happened in a state with strict gun laws, you could expect to be arrested.
TSA said before you begin to pack your gun, you should contact the airline you are flying on to see what rules it has in place about traveling with a firearm as each airline may have its own rules.
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