Contractor stopped at Philly International worker checkpoint with loaded 9 mm
Transportation Security Administration officers at Philadelphia International Airport said Friday that they intercepted a loaded handgun in possession of a contractor who is employed by an airline.
The 9 mm was loaded with 10 bullets when TSA officers detected the firearm Friday morning among the worker’s belongings when he was entering an employee checkpoint on his way to work, the agency added.
Airport police were contacted and responded to the checkpoint where they confiscated the firearm, cited the Philadelphia resident and took possession of his airport identification badge. Without the badge, the man is unable to work at the airport, the TSA said.
“This was a good catch on the part of our TSA officers as it addressed a possible insider threat situation,” explained Gerardo Spero, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “Individuals who work at the airport, whether they are members of the flight crew, work at retail shops, work for airlines, or are contractors of a company that does business at the airport are not allowed to bring prohibited items onto the secure side of the airport. We are always on alert for employees who may have possible bad intentions, which could possibly represent a threat to aviation security.”
In addition to losing his ID badge, which prevents him from working at the airport, the individual also faces a possible federal financial civil citation, which could cost thousands of dollars, the agency said.
“We are deep into our busy summer travel period, and here at Philadelphia as well as at airports across the country, we are extremely busy and our officers have remained vigilant in focusing on their mission,” Spero said. “We want people to get to their destinations safely and get home safely.”
It was the 17th gun that TSA officers have detected at PHL checkpoints so far this year. In all of 2023, 45 firearms were intercepted at airport checkpoints.
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