Transportation Security Administration officers prevented a Chester man from bringing this loaded gun onto an airplane on April 7th, at BWI Airport.
LINTHICUM — A Chester man was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Saturday, April 7, after a Transportation Security Administration officer caught him trying to bring a loaded handgun past the security checkpoint.
Robert Patrick Schmitt, 59, of Calvert Road in Chester, had a 9 mm handgun loaded with three bullets when his carry-on bag entered the TSA checkpoint X-ray machine, where the gun was spotted about 11:15 a.m. by a TSA officer who was staffing the X-ray monitor, according to Cpl. Edward Bartlinski, commander of media relations for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
Schmitt told TSA officials that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him, according to Lisa Farbstein, TSA spokesman. Because TSA has no authority to arrest, they contacted MDTA to respond, she said.
Schmitt was charged with interfering with security procedures and wearing, carrying or transporting a handgun, Bartlinski said. He added there is no indication Schmitt was ever previously involved in a similar situation.
Saturday’s gun catch was the sixth gun caught at the airport so far this calendar year. In 2017, TSA agents stopped 26 guns at the airport and 24 in 2016, Farbstein reported.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900.
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