Phoenix Sky Harbor top five in country for guns found at security checkpoints

by Steve Crane
  • Slug: Audio-TSA Guns
  • Run time: 1:51
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download.)

By Mitchell Zimmermann
Cronkite News

Script:

HOST  INTRO:

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION FOUND MORE FIREARMS IN PASSENGERS’ CARRY-ON LUGGAGE IN 2021 THAN ANY OTHER YEAR ON RECORD. PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WAS IN THE NATION’S TOP FIVE FOR GUNS FOUND PASSING THROUGH SECURITY CHECKPOINTS. CRONKITE NEWS’ MITCHELL ZIMMERMANN REPORTS THE T-S-A IS STRESSING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO CHECK YOUR BAGS  BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF.

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PHOENIX SKY HARBOR IS THE EIGHTH-BUSIEST AIRPORT IN THE COUNTRY. MORE FLIGHTS MEANS MORE PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH SECURITY.  PATRICIA MANCHA IS WITH THE T-S-A.

<<PATRICIA MANCHA/MEDIA SPOKESPERSON FOR TSA>>

“In 2021, travelers in Arizona as well as nationwide broke all records that we have in the 20-year history of TSA for bringing firearms in carry-on luggage.

MANCHA SAYS PASSENGERS WHO HAVE A GUN IN THEIR CARRY-ON LUGGAGE OFTEN GIVE THE SAME EXCUSE…

<<PATRICIA MANCHA/MEDIA SPOKESPERSON FOR TSA>>

“I forgot it was in my carry-on.”

ALMOST SIX THOUSAND FIREARMS LAST YEAR WERE DISCOVERED AT T-S-A CHECKPOINTS ACROSS THE U-S. 196 OF THOSE WERE FOUND AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR.

DAVID LAIRD OWNS DYNAMIC COMBATIVE SOLUTIONS L-L-C. HE SAYS THERE ARE KEY RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN TAKING A GUN TO THE AIRPORT.

<<DAVID LAIRD/OWNER, DYNAMIC COMBATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC>>

“You should already arrive to the airport with it unloaded in a locked compartment with the ammunition in its original factory box”

86 PERCENT OF GUNS FOUND LAST YEAR WERE LOADED. BUT AS LAIRD POINTS OUT…YOU CAN TRAVEL WITH A GUN IF IT IS UNLOADED AND IN YOUR CHECKED BAG.

<nat PLACING GUN DOWN runs :03>

LAIRD HAS BEEN AROUND GUNS ALL HIS LIFE.

HE COMES TO BEN AVERY SHOOTING RANGE NORTH OF PHOENIX ALMOST EVERYDAY TO PRACTICE AND TEACH GUN SAFETY COURSES. HIS ADVICE?  ALWAY CHECK THE GUN LAWS OF YOUR DESTINATION BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME.

LAIRD SAYS STATES WITH HIGHER GUN OWNERSHIP, LIKE ARIZONA, OFTEN HAVE MORE CASES OF PEOPLE USING THEIR RANGE BAG AS A CARRY-ON.

<<DAVID LAIRD/OWNER, DYNAMIC COMBATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC>>

“People are forgetting that the same bag they use to go to the range is the same bag they’re using as a carry-on so it has spent casings or ammunition or a side pocket that they left their firearm in.”

T-S-A SAYS YOU CAN EITHER VOLUNTARILY GIVE  UP YOUR GUN OR TAKE IT HOME BEFORE YOU TRAVEL IF IT’S FOUND IN YOUR CARRY-ON. T-S-A CAN IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP TO ALMOST 14 THOUSAND DOLLARS IF A GUN IS FOUND IN YOUR CARRY-ON LUGGAGE.

MITCHELL ZIMMERMANN, CRONKITE NEWS.

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