BWI Worker With Loaded Gun Stopped At Checkpoint: TSA

Baltimore, MD - May 28, 2024 - A retail worker at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport was stopped Sunday with a loaded gun at a security checkpoint in what was called a "possible insider threat," federal authorities said.

Transportation Security Administration officers at BWI Airport intercepted the loaded handgun on May 26 in possession of a retail shop employee. The 9mm gun was loaded with eight bullets when TSA officers detected the firearm among the retail worker's belongings when he was screened at the checkpoint on his way to work, a news release said.

Airport police confiscated the gun, cited the Baltimore man on firearm charges and took away the worker's 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," said Christopher Murgia, TSA's federal security director for Maryland, in a news release. "Similar to passengers, individuals who work at the airport are prohibited from bringing any prohibited items onto the secure side of the checkpoint. 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 accused employee also faces a possible federal financial civil citation, which could cost thousands of dollars.

"Airports across the country have been extremely busy during the Memorial Day Weekend travel period and our officers have remained vigilant in focusing on their mission," Murgia said.

This incident marked the 21st firearm that TSA officers have detected at BWI Airport checkpoints so far this year. In 2023, 42 firearms were intercepted at the airport's checkpoints.