News

Actions

Gun in carry-on bag sixth to be found by TSA at Salt Lake City International Airport this month

Posted at 4:37 PM, May 15, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-15 18:37:13-04

SALT LAKE CITY – TSA agents at Salt Lake City International Airport discovered a loaded handgun in a man’s carry-on bag Friday afternoon, and a TSA spokeswoman said this is the sixth firearm to come through that checkpoint in the last two weeks.

TSA Spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. when a man traveling to Phoenix was found to have a loaded Sig Sauer handgun in a carry-on bag.

Dankers said when TSA agents spot a firearm in a bag on their screens they notify airport police, who then take the weapon and passenger away from the area. Dankers said the decision whether or not to issue a citation in such cases rests with police rather than her agency.

Donald Chamberlain, 48, was taken to jail by airport police following the incident.

So far in 2015, there have been 21 firearms found at the checkpoint at Salt Lake City International Airport, and Dankers noted that this weapon is the sixth firearm to come through the checkpoint since May 1. She said six guns in such a short stretch of time is above average.

Dankers said airline passengers should be aware that firearms are never allowed in carry-on bags but can still be taken on flights if certain conditions are met.

  • Guns must be unloaded.
  • Guns must be stowed in hard-shell case.
  • The gun must be in checked baggage, not a carry-on or a bag checked at the gate.
  • Guns must be declared to the respective airline(s).