Airlines Ban Firearms on DC Bound Flights Ahead of Inauguration
If you are planning to travel to DC, then you should probably leave your gun at home. Several airlines such as Delta, United, American, Southwest, Frontier and Spirit, have banned firearms ahead of the inauguration.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, said the carrier and its employees are “on high alert based on the events over the last couple of weeks in Washington,” CNBC reports. Delta revealed law enforcement authorized to carry firearms would be exempt from the temporary ruling, which is expected to last through next week.
United Airlines also extended the ban to flights to Richmond International Airport and also noted law enforcement officials and active duty military traveling on orders would be exempt.
In addition to banning firearms, Alaska Airlines also said it also plans to reduce the number of tickets sold on flights to and from the D.C. metro area to support law enforcement calls to avoid travel to the area. The airline will require all passengers on flights to and from metro D.C. to remain in their seats for an hour after takeoff and during landing.
Sonya Lacore, Southwest’s vice president of in-flight operations, attributed the change to a recent increase in “customer misconduct events,” especially in the past week, USA Today reports. “As we near Inauguration Day, we realize that we could see an increase in these occurrences,” Lacore said in a memo.
Earlier this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that unruly passengers who interfere with flight crew duties would face fines of up to $35,000 or jail time.
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I’m not sure about law enforcement or military members, but a normal passenger cannot have a weapon in a carry on. You must declare a weapon with the airline when checking in with your checked bags.
You didn’t indicate if you are talking about firearms in carry on, or checked baggage.