A man from Polk County tried to board an airplane with a carry-on bag containing a loaded handgun, Sunday. KCCI says Transportation Security Administration officers prevented the man from bringing his .45 caliber handgun loaded with five bullets. TSA officers alerted Des Moines police, who confiscated the firearm before citing the man.

(File Photo image from tsa.gov (Not the actual gun seized at Dsm Int’l. Airport)

TSA Federal Security Director for Iowa John Bright reminds Iowans and others NOT to bring your gun to an airport security checkpoint. Regardless of whether or not you have a concealed carry permit, it is NOT allowed. If you want to travel, you must pack your weapon properly so it can be processed as checked baggage. Failure to comply with regulations will result in a stiff federal civil penalty that may cost you thousands of dollars.

Sunday’s incident was the third time this year a firearm was confiscated at the Des Moines International Airport. In 2020, there were a total of seven firearms confiscated. There were 12 guns confiscated in both 2018 and 2019.

The TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.