LEWISTON, Idaho - An officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport (LWS) discovered a loaded firearm Monday morning at the security checkpoint during routine screening of carry-on baggage.
The Transportation Security Officer (TSO) found the firearm around 6:15 a.m. in the carry-on bag of a male passenger ticketed for travel to Salt Lake City International Airport. The firearm - an American Arms .22 Magnum - was loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
When the TSO saw the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, the Lewiston Police Department (LPD) was immediately notified and responded to the checkpoint. LPD confiscated the firearm and the passenger was allowed to continue to his flight.
This is the first firearm TSA has discovered in carry-on baggage at LWS in 2017. No firearms were discovered in carry-on baggage at LWS in 2016. However, TSA officers discovered a total of 22 firearms at Idaho airports in 2016 including 18 at the Boise Airport, two at Joslin Field Magic Valley in Twin Falls and two at Idaho Falls Regional Airport.
Nationwide in 2016, TSA found 3,391 guns in carry-on bags at airport security checkpoints. In 2015, TSA officers across the country detected 2,653 firearms in passengers’ carry-on bags.
TSA reminds passengers to be aware of the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage or not at all. For more information, visit the prohibited items page on tsa.gov or use TSA's app - myTSA.
Additional traveler information specifically related to the commercial air transport of firearms and ammunition can be found on the transporting firearms and ammunition page on tsa.gov.