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Kenny Wells entered the TSA security inspection area at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) to board a flight when his carry-on bag was pulled aside for a bag search. The scanner had detected a hand gun in the bag.
What followed caused all hell to break loose in one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The traveler, after being told not to touch the item, lunged for the weapon, grabbed the firearm and the weapon discharged. The individual then fled the area, exiting the airport, with his firearm.
That gunshot, then caused travelers to flee, the airport to go into “active shooter” mode, and the FAA to issue a temporary ground stop. The airport did not close.
It would be approximately two hours before the Atlanta Police Department gave the all clear and flight operations were allowed to resume. Passengers who had evacuated the airport, went through security inspection again.
Atlanta Police Department’s advised during a press conference that a multi-count warrant has been issued for Kenny Wells, age 42 and they are actively pursuing the arrest of Wells. Wells a convicted felon is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. However, Georgia does not require background checks on unlicensed gun sales, so acquiring a firearm without detection by law enforcement is not difficult.
There is a right way to travel with firearms, and there is a wrong way, this individual was incredible irresponsible and we all are fortunate only minor injuries (by those fleeing the airport) occurred. This individual is not alone in being irresponsible, as the TSA tells us that in 2021 alone, over 450 firearms have been seized at ATL checkpoints.
Traveling with a firearm and ammunition
“Firearms, particularly loaded firearms, introduce an unnecessary risk at checkpoints, have no place in the passenger cabin of an airplane, and represent a very costly mistake for the passengers who attempt to board a flight with them,” said TSA in a statement.
Air Travel with firearms is permitted, and there are rules surrounding taking your firearm with you when you travel. This traveler broke at many of these rules. First and foremost, the traveler carried a loaded weapon into the TSA area (in ATL individuals are allowed to carry weapons in the non-secure area of the airport). Secondly, the handgun was in the carry-on luggage; weapons are to be placed in checked baggage and declared to the airline. Thirdly, the weapon is to be in a secured container within the checked luggage.
TSA’s website has an abundance of information on transporting firearms and ammunition, why the traveler did not take advantage of this information is beyond irresponsible. For future reference of travelers traveling with firearms, the TSA tells us:
“You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.”
