LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Transportation Security Administration is asking Little Rock fliers to check their bags ahead of the holidays.
So far in 2024, TSA in Little Rock intercepted 37 guns found in carry-on luggage. That is already matching the 2023 total but it is doing so ahead of the holiday rush.
The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport anticipates 80,208 travelers between Dec. 15 and Jan. 4, a 7.4% increase from the 74,685 in 2023. Each person will pass through security where a troubling trend is being noticed.
Guns and ammunition can travel through checked luggage, but guns must be declared, unloaded, and locked in travel cases. Ammunition must also be in its manufacturer’s packaging.
Bringing a gun to checked luggage results in a $16,000 TSA fine and may carry additional charges when local police respond TSA Media Spokesperson for Arkansas Patricia Mancha explained.
Some items cannot be stowed in either checked luggage or carry-on luggage. They include explosives (including fireworks) and torchlighters. More information can be found at AskTSA.
For those caught with prohibited items at the TSA check, such as blunt or sharp items that could be used as weapons, anything that resembles a weapon, or liquids, gels, creams, butter, etc. that exceed 3.4 oz. there are other options besides voluntarily surrendering them.
“Travelers actually have the option to step out of line, place the item in checked luggage that goes in the belly of the plane, give it to a non-traveler, or put in in their car, but most people don’t have enough time or don’t want to step out of line and start over,” Mancha said.
She recommends arriving to flights two hours early to avoid any setbacks that would cause a person to miss their flight.
The TSA checkpoint at Clinton National opens daily at 4 a.m., with airline ticket counters opening at approximately 3:30 a.m. to accommodate early departures.
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