Loaded, Undeclared Guns Trending at SoCal Airports
Word has apparently left the street that flying commercial with loaded guns is illegal. Four loaded, undeclared guns were (thankfully) discovered over the course of one week in SoCal - twice at Ontario International Airport (ONT) and twice at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
A male traveler was arrested at LAX on Friday evening when a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun was recovered from his carry-on bag, according to Daily Breeze. The passenger was scheduled to fly to Vegas via Southwest, presumably with the mindset that what happens in sin city stays there.
The incident marked the second of its nature at LAX last week.
Joshua Banks of Alabama was arrested on August 16 for carrying-on a loaded Walther .380-caliber handgun.
According to TSA spokesman Nico Melendez, unloaded firearms are permitted in checked luggage but must be stored in the proper carrying case and declared to the airline. The recent spike in armed SoCal airline passengers has officials concerned.
"Over the course of our history, passengers have usually brought about two guns a day to airports around the country. In the last seven days, we've seen four guns at two airports here in Southern California," said Melendez, according to KABC.
This phenomenon may be attributed to memory lapse.
"Most times, passengers just say to us, 'I forgot it was there,'" Melendez said. "We constantly ask passengers do your due diligence, look through your bag."
