TSA officers stop Pewaukee man with loaded pistol in carry-on bag at Mitchell International

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- TSA officers at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport stopped a man from boarding an airplane with a loaded handgun in his carry-on luggage Tuesday morning, July 13.

During a routine luggage screening, an officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen.

TSA officials immediately alerted the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.  

Authorities say the traveler, a Pewaukee resident, said he forgot his pistol was in his bag, but he had a concealed carry permit. He was escorted to the airport sheriff's substation and issued a citation.

“With summer travel ramping up, our TSA officers continue to do a fantastic job preventing firearms from entering the secure area of the airport,” Wisconsin TSA Federal Security Director Mark Lendvay said. “We want to remind everyone planning to fly out of Milwaukee to carefully inspect your bag before you pack it and head to the airport. This simple act could save you lots of time and money, along with avoiding possible arrest with local law enforcement.”

Officials say a typical first offense for carrying a loaded handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100, but TSA may impose penalties of up to $13,910 per violation, per person. 

This is the 10th firearm detected at MKE in 2021. A total of 16 firearms were detected at airport security checkpoints in 2019 and 10 in 2020.


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