A man is facing charges after trying to get a gun through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint in a gaming console.
The traveler was found last week with a revolver carefully stowed inside his video gaming console as he attempted to clear a TSA checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Security officers had to break the machine open in order to impound the revolver.
In a pun-filled Instagram post, the TSA said that its officials, "powered down this passenger's poor packing choice."
"It's never an idea rated E for everyone to pack firearm parts or guns in a carry-on bag. We're not about to console anybody's feelings on this topic either," the TSA said. "Without going into graphic detail, gun parts, firearms and ammunition must be placed in checked bags. You'll control your travel destiny by declaring these items with your airline and ensuring they are packaged properly."
Last week, the TSA announced increased penalties for firearms violations -- a maximum of $14,950 per offense -- after intercepting a record number of guns from passengers' carry-on luggage at airport security checkpoints in 2022.
As of December 16, the TSA has stopped 6,301 firearms, more than 88% of which were loaded. That breaks the previous record of 5,972 firearms detected in 2021.
"TSA anticipates it will prevent about 6,600 firearms in carry-on bags from entering the secure area of airports by the end of 2022, a nearly 10% increase over 2021's record level," the agency said in a statement.
Firearms are never allowed in carry-on bags at any security checkpoint, even if a passenger has a concealed weapon permit. Firearms can be transported in checked luggage, so long as a passenger follows proper packing guidance and declares them to their airline at check-in.
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