PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — TSA stopped a worker at Philadelphia International Airport Friday morning from bringing a loaded gun through an employee checkpoint.
They say the 9-millimeter handgun, which was loaded with 10 bullets, was confiscated by Philadelphia police. They also took his airport ID.
Without the badge, he is unable to work at the airport. He also faces a possible federal financial civil citation, which could cost thousands of dollars.
“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,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “We are always on alert for employees who may have possible bad intentions, which could possibly represent a threat to aviation security.”
This was the 17th firearm detected by TSA at PHL this year. 45 guns were intercepted last year.