Officers discover loaded firearm in carry-on bag during security screening at Santa Barbara Airport

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Officers with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport stopped a male traveler from boarding their plane with a loaded pistol in their carry-on luggage on Thursday.

According to the TSA, the loaded 9 mm Smith & Wesson was accompanied by an additional magazine in the carry-on luggage for the man ticketed for travel to Denver International Airport.

The firearm was discovered during routine X-ray screening at a security checkpoint detail the TSA in a press release of the incident.

Officers with Santa Barbara Airport Patrol removed the firearm and escorted the traveler out of the security checkpoint.

This is the third firearm discovered in carry-on luggage at the Santa Barbara Airport this year so far.

“At the risk of stating the obvious, travelers should never bring a firearm to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage. This direction is often ignored as TSA officers continue to discover far too many firearms during security screening operations,” said TSA Federal Security Director at SBA Anita Minaei.

TSA will now review the circumstances of the incident and levy a civil penalty against the passenger. The recommended penalty starts at $2,050 and can go up to a statutory maximum of $14,950.

Firearms can be transported on a commercial aircraft only if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and placed in checked baggage.