(RightIsRight.co) – In an unexpected discovery, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported on a significant security intervention at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), where a TSA officer prevented an airline employee from passing through security with a loaded gun.
This security breach occurred during a routine and random screening process in early November. TSA personnel identified the firearm via X-ray imaging and promptly summoned airport police to the scene. While the airport official did not disclose the SkyWest Airlines employee’s specific role, they confirmed that the individual was flight-based personnel.
SkyWest Airlines acknowledged the incident, stating, “We’re aware that a weapon was found in an employee’s luggage at a Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport security checkpoint last week. The employee had a permit for the weapon but failed to follow TSA checked bag procedures. We are conducting an internal review of the incident,” as communicated to Fox News Digital.
Marty Robinson, the TSA’s Federal Security Director for Minnesota, also released a statement concerning the occurrence: “Our officers are focused on ensuring that firearms and other weapons do not make it through our security checkpoints,” he said. “I’m grateful that our officers here and nationwide remain vigilant during this busy travel season. Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage, and airline employees should certainly be aware of that.”
TSA statistics show a worrying trend at MSP, with this incident marking the 49th firearm intercepted at the airport’s security in the current year. In the context of previous years, 58 and 56 firearms were detected at MSP’s security checkpoints in 2022 and 2021, respectively, highlighting an ongoing challenge for TSA agents in maintaining air travel safety.
