TSA: Don't leave loaded guns in carry-on bags

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Transportation Security Administration is reminding flyers to not leave guns in their carry-ons after seeing a sudden uptick in firearms found in luggage in eastern Washington state.

The Spokesman-Review reported Tuesday the TSA has caught eight people with loaded handguns in carry-on bags in the past three weeks at the Spokane International Airport.

The federal agency says one man in late February had two guns — one in each of his carry-ons.

The airport says its police cited each traveler in the recent cases, but they were not arrested.

Firearms in carry-on bags are punishable by fines ranging from $2,000 to $13,333 per violation. Jail time is also possible.

The TSA recorded 18 instances of guns left in carry-ons at the Spokane airport in all of 2018.