BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Weapons and airports don't mix. That's the message we want to remind travelers as well as employees at Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport (FLL).

The Broward County Aviation Department, in partnership with its local and federal law enforcement partners, has joined forces to remind everyone at the airport that it is illegal to enter a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) passenger screening checkpoint with a weapon. 

The initiative was prompted when airport officials were concerned that FLL is routinely listed as one of the top 10 airports in the country for the number of weapons intercepted at TSA checkpoints. "I felt there had to be something we could do to remind everyone at the airport that we must do everything possible to reduce or eliminate weapons before the screening checkpoint," said Mark Gale, CEO/Aviation Director. "After collaborating with our law enforcement partners, we decided an outreach plan would be the best approach."

The awareness campaign is branded to remind passengers to "Pack the Fun" but "Not the Gun." The law applies to all illegal weapons, but the most common one is a firearm.

Even those with a concealed weapons permit will be fined and may be arrested if they are processed with a weapon at a passenger or employee screening checkpoint. 

The Aviation Department's outreach has included the following:

• Social media messaging branded with our "Safety First" initiative

• A dedicated page on fll.net  promoting Safety First, "Pack the Fun, Not the Gun" 

• Posters and flyers displayed and distributed to airport stakeholders

• Branded messaging on our passenger shuttle buses

• Flyers for airport employees at the shuttle bus stops

• Vinyl wrap messaging on our garage elevator doors

• Signage at every security checkpoint

• Messaging on our Flight Information Display Screens throughout the airport

• Awareness and messaging at our regular stakeholder partnership meetings

• Business card sized handouts for volunteers to share with travelers

In 2018, the TSA intercepted 96 weapons at FLL, placing us seventh on the federal agency's list of top airports where firearms were discovered at its checkpoints. This year, FLL has already surpassed that figure demonstrating the need for community wide awareness.

Ninety-nine percent of travelers caught with illegal weapons at the checkpoint say they packed them by mistake or forgot they were in their carry-on bags. This campaign will serve as a reminder to our guests to leave weapons at home. 

If you do travel with a firearm, the TSA says it should be unloaded, packed in a special locked container, declared with your airline, and transported as checked luggage. 

About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
The Aviation Department is a self-supporting department of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. It does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. In 2018, the Airport ranked 18th in the United States in total passenger traffic and 10th in international passengers. With more than 350 departures a day, the Airport offered nonstop service to 85 U.S. cities and global connectivity to more than 62 international destinations in 33 countries. The Aviation Department also operates the North Perry Airport, a general aviation airport for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit  fll.net.

DATE: December 20, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Meyer, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
PHONE: 954-359-6116
EMAIL: gmeyer@broward.org