TSA: Loaded Firearms Found At All Major Tennessee Airports In 1-Week Span

The Transportation Security Administration reportedly found loaded firearms at every major airport in the state of Tennessee during a seven-day span last week.

TSA said it found eight loaded guns at security checkpoints in five major Volunteer State airports from September 13-20, FOX 17 News reports. The agency said it made contact with local law enforcement to remove the firearms and passengers from the area during each incident.

There were five reported incidents of firearms being found at Nashville International Airport (BNA) between September 14-18.

All of the reported firearm discoveries during the week of September 13-20 are listed below:

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

• 9/14/20: Loaded Sig Saurer .380 caliber
• 9/17/20: Loaded Sig Saurer .380 caliber
• 9/17/20: Loaded North American Arms Derringer .22 caliber
• 9/18/20: Loaded Ruger 9mm

Memphis International Airport (MEM)

• 9/18/20: Loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) (Alcoa/Knoxville)

• 9/18/20: Loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) (Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport)

• 9/17/20: Loaded Ruger 9mm

Firearms are prohibited during flights unless they are declared to the airline, locked in a proper carrying case, and unloaded as part of checked luggage, according to the TSA.

“Even with much lower than normal passenger numbers, we continue to find firearms at a very high rate at security checkpoints,” said Steve Wood, TSA Federal Security Director for Tennessee via FOX 17 News. “Passengers must remember they’re responsible for the contents of bags and our advice is they thoroughly inspect all personal belongings to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items before coming to the airport.”

TSA officers reported a total of 106 firearms were found at Tennessee airports in 2020 and 139 in 2019, FOX 17 News reports.

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