A man sent his dog through an X-ray machine at a Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport security checkpoint Wednesday morning, the Transportation Security Administration said.
TSA officers found a loaded semi-automatic handgun, a small knife and a small dog, while the traveler’s two carry-on bags, a rolling suitcase and pet carrier, were processed through the X-ray machine.
TSA officers contacted Maryland Transportation Authority police, who arrested the man on state weapons charges at the checkpoint and confiscated the firearm.
Passengers traveling with animals should take their pets with them through the metal detector and allow the carrying case to go through the X-ray machine.
Airport security checkpoints do not allow travelers to have firearms in their carry-ons. On top of possible criminal charges, offenders could face civil penalties from TSA up to $12,000.
