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Guns carried to TSA will now result fine up to $100,000

Two years ago, the Georgia Carry law was passed by the state legislature allowing people with permits to carry guns in more places. It was nicknamed the "guns everywhere" law, but now the FBI is stepping up to clarify: the airport is not one of those places. 

Two years ago, the Georgia Carry law was passed by the state legislature allowing people with permits to carry guns in more places. It was nicknamed the "guns everywhere" law, but now the FBI is stepping up to clarify: the airport is not one of those places.

Up until now, the interpretation of that law has been that it's not a crime to accidentally bring a gun to the TSA checkpoints. The agents could turn a gun-toting person away and tell the person to secure the gun in a car or in luggage. That interpretation is about to change in a big way.

Begriming June 1, if you carry a gun to a TSA checkpoint, the weapon will be confiscated. You'll also face a fine.

"The real intent is just to deter people from entering the check point with a weapon to begin with," Special Agent in Charge Britt Johnson told 11Alive's Duffie Dixon.

TSA screeners catch about nine guns a month at Hartsfield-Jackson. Last year, 113 weapons were confiscated. So far in 2016, there have been 48.

Johnson said most cases are just innocent accidents, a gun owner forgets to remove the weapon from a bag. While they may have just been told to go back to their car and secure it, the feds will be enforcing their statute that makes it a crime.

"It does create an opportunity to test the system. So if you know that having a permit you’re just going to be turned away, you’re not going to be charged. The criminals and terrorists know how to identify those vulnerabilities as well," Johnson said.

The first offense calls for a fine of up to $100,000 dollars and up to a year in prison. Do it again, and it costs you more than double that and up to 10 years in prison.

"We’re not happy with it," Georgia Carry Advocate Jerry Henry said. "A $100,000 fine is kind of ridiculous for a misdemeanor for somebody who accidentally did something wrong."

The FBI has had to step in to enforce the law in only one other state: Texas.

PHOTOS: Items confiscated by the TSA

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