WASHINGTON, D.C.— Continuing his efforts to make airports around the nation safer for the general public and the law enforcement officers who patrol them, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), has reintroduced the “Airport Security Act of 2017.” The Airport Security Act of 2017 makes it illegal to carry loaded guns onto airport property.

“Our nation’s airports are economic engines and cultural gateways that drive our local, state and national economies. They are the front door for many of our communities. Unfortunately, they are also targets for those seeking to incite fear.,” Johnson said. “Only law enforcement officials should be allowed to carry loaded weapons in the unsecured sections of our nation's airports. Over time, we have seen evidence that our airports are increasingly vulnerable to small-scaled attacks by armed gunmen.”

With the exception of authorized individuals, H.R. 1746 prohibits the carrying of firearms by individuals entering or leaving an airport.

If a person is travelling, picking up or dropping off an individual, or picking up cargo, they may not be in possession of a firearm while on airport property, exits, transit points, or entrances. However, travelers who are shipping firearms or possessing one are considered authorized individuals if the weapon is unloaded and locked in a secure container.

Minimizing the presence of firearms in high-traffic areas such as airports, baggage claim, and passenger drop off is a needed step in limiting deadly attacks such as the 2013 attack at LAX airport in California, the 2013 attack at La Mesa International in Honduras, and the 2016 attack at Gökçen Airport in Istanbul which killed 45 people.

Supporters: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, The Violence Policy Center, Center for American Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and the GunSense Georgia Coalition.

Cosponsors: Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Lewis and David Scott (D-GA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Alcee Hastings (D-FL).