29 guns found in carry-on bags this year at Sea-Tac

If you’re traveling, your carry-on luggage is certainly not an appropriate place to carry your gun. But some people haven’t got the memo.

Six guns have been found in carry-on bags in the last three weeks at Sea-Tac Airport. Sea-Tac security has caught 29 guns in carry-on luggage since January.

Spokeswoman Lorie Dankers says the penalties can be hefty.

“Civil penalty range starts at $2,000 and can go up to more than $13,000, so not only is it an inconvenient mistake, it can be an expensive mistake,” she said.

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Guns are actually one of least odd items that have been found in recent years. In the past few years, security officials have confiscated nunchucks, a torch lighter, hammers, and vice grips, among numerous other items that are totally not allowed on a plane.

“What we really want is for people to know that they’re going to be held accountable for the contents of their bag, and that’s not just firearms, but any type of prohibited item they bring to the checkpoint.”

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She says while guns can be legally transported in checked luggage, it’s never allowed in carry-ons. Beyond the obvious illegality and fines, it also can be quite an irritation to everyone behind you. The airport already busy enough as it is.

“People are traveling in record numbers, and when a firearm is spotted in screening stops it really backs up the security lines, and that can become very frustrating for all travelers standing behind them.”