Transportation Security Administration officers at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport discovered the first firearm of the year during a routine screening at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, officials said in a news release.

The firearm, a loaded 9 mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield with nine rounds of ammunition, was found in a male traveler’s carry-on bag.

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TSA notified the airport’s Department of Public Safety, and law enforcement officers responded to the security checkpoint, removing the firearm and interviewing the traveler, who was ticketed for a flight to Las Vegas.

After receiving enhanced screening, the traveler was allowed to proceed.

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“My hope is that highlighting the discovery of this firearm will be an incentive for gun owners to reacquaint themselves with the rules on traveling with a firearm on a commercial aircraft,” said TSA Federal Security Director Fred Lau.

In 2024, FAT reported 14 firearm discoveries, matching the total from the previous year. Nationwide, TSA officers uncovered 6,678 firearms at security checkpoints last year.

In 2024, TSA screened 1,495,946 travelers, making the number of travelers screened per firearm at 106,853.

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Passengers are reminded that firearms must be unloaded, stored in a locked, hard-sided case, and checked with the airline. Violators may face fines, revocation of TSA PreCheck® privileges, or legal action.

More information on TSA firearm policies is available online.

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