Travelers flying out of Atlanta this past Sunday got more excitement than expected when a loaded ammunition magazine was discovered on a Frontier Airlines flight. According to WSB-TV, the magazine was found near a passenger’s seat as Flight 4771 prepared to depart for Cincinnati from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The passenger immediately alerted a flight attendant which prompted the airline to deboard everyone from the aircraft. Security personnel conducted thorough screenings of both passengers and the plane itself before allowing anyone back on board. “We need to do a security sweep and get everyone off the airplane. We’ll have to reboard the aircraft,” the pilot can be heard announcing in footage obtained by the outlet.
The incident caused over a four-hour delay leaving passengers stranded at the gate while authorities investigated. WSB-TV reports that the ammunition likely belonged to a law enforcement officer from an earlier flight on the same plane. Frontier Airlines confirmed in a statement that Atlanta Police took custody of the magazine to return it to its owner.
No injuries were reported and the situation underscores strict airline safety protocols. According to Frontier’s website, firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts are only allowed in checked bags for domestic flights and must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided, locked container and declared at check-in. Ammunition may be packed in magazines or clips if secured, but neither firearms nor ammunition are allowed in carry-on luggage or on international flights. Violating these rules can result in fines or criminal penalties.
It’s hard not to shake your head at stories like this. Whether or not the ongoing government shutdown had any impact, there really is no excuse for ammunition to slip past airport security or for a law enforcement officer to misplace it. Travelers expect to board a plane safely and incidents like this shake that trust.
H/T Daily Mail
