No charges/foul play expected after gun found at airport 

A loaded 9mm Beretta handgun was found in a piece of checked luggage Wednesday afternoon at Key West International Airport.

The gun was found by a Airport Security Management agent (contracted by the Transportation Security Administration) manning an X-ray machine used to screen checked luggage that goes under the plane at approximately 1:56 p.m. in a travel duffel bag owned by a 24-year-old Key West man. The agent then alerted the Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Bobby Burkett removed the firearm a hard-sided case and then the duffle bag. The handgun was loaded. Sgt. Burkett rendered the handgun safe. The owner of the handgun did not declare it in his possession with his airline at check-in as required.

The owner stated he has never traveled via airline with a firearm before. The owner stated it was his understanding that all he was required to do was keep the handgun in a hard-sided case. The owner stated he was unaware the fireman was required to be unloaded and declared before entering the airport’s secured area. The owner was cooperative with law enforcement and apologetic for his oversight.

The Sheriff’s Office contacted the State Attorney’s Office and it was determined that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.

Transportation Security Administration was notified about the incident.

The unloaded firearm and magazine were returned to the owner.

The 16 bullets found were collected by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds those who will be traveling with firearms to educate themselves before they arrive at the airport: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

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