Airport Security Act of 2015

To prohibit certain individuals from possessing a firearm in an airport, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Airport Security Act of 2015 2. Prohibition of possession of firearms at airports (a) Program To Prohibit Possession Section 44903 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (o) Program To Prohibit Possession of Firearms at Airports (1) Establishment The Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall establish and carry out a program to prohibit, except as provided in paragraph (3), any individual from possessing a firearm at a covered airport, including any individual who enters the airport, or who exits public transportation at the airport, for the following purposes: (A) Air travel. (B) Meeting another individual. (C) Picking up cargo. (D) Employment at the airport. (2) Requirements for airport operators In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall require each airport operator to— (A) conspicuously display notices summarizing the program— (i) at each entrance to the airport; and (ii) in such form, and containing such information, as the Assistant Secretary shall by regulation prescribe; and (B) require law enforcement personnel to— (i) monitor the airport to prevent violations of paragraph (1); and (ii) escort any individual described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) who is discovered by such personnel to be in possession of a firearm referred to in paragraph (3)(B)(i), to ensure that such individual continues to be excepted from paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (3)(B). (3) Exceptions The following individuals shall not be prohibited by paragraph (1) from possessing a firearm under such paragraph: (A) Individuals authorized to carry a firearm An individual who, by regulation, is authorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration or the Assistant Secretary to carry a firearm at the covered airport. (B) Travelers An individual who possesses a firearm, if— (i) the firearm is unloaded, carried in a hard-sided container that is locked, and the key or combination to the lock is in the exclusive possession of the individual; and (ii) the individual— (I) is carrying a ticket in the name of the individual for a flight that is scheduled for departure from the covered airport within 24 hours or that has arrived at the airport within the preceding 24 hours; or (II) communicates the intention to obtain a ticket for departure referred to in subclause (I) at the covered airport and obtains and carries such ticket or does not obtain such ticket for a compelling reason. (C) Individuals shipping firearms An individual who possesses a firearm in a capacity relating to the shipment of the firearm in air commerce and who, by regulation, is authorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration or the Assistant Secretary to possess the firearm at the covered airport in such capacity. (D) Law enforcement officers An on-duty law enforcement officer of a State or political subdivision of a State, or an officer or employee of the Federal Government, who is authorized to carry a firearm. (E) Certain individuals on public transportation An individual passing through an airport on public transportation. (F) Additional authorized individuals An individual who is otherwise authorized by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration or the Assistant Secretary to possess a firearm at a covered airport. (4) Issuance of regulations Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection. (5) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Airport The term airport (i) receive passengers or cargo before or after a flight; or (ii) facilitate arrival at or departure from the airport, including— (I) a road or section of road used primarily for arrival at or departure from the airport; (II) an airport parking area; and (III) a public transportation stop. (B) Airport operator The term airport operator (C) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary (D) Covered airport The term covered airport (E) Firearm The term firearm (F) Public transportation The term public transportation . (b) Criminal penalty for possession (1) In general Chapter 44 932. Possession of firearms at airports (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), an individual who knowingly possesses a firearm at a covered airport shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. (b) Exceptions Subsection (a) shall not apply to an individual described in section 44903(o)(3) of title 49. (c) Definition of covered airport In this section, the term covered airport . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) has issued regulations pursuant to section 44903(o)(4) of title 49, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)). (3) Conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 44 932. Possession of firearms at airports. .

Summary: Airport Security Act of 2015 Directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a program to prohibit all but specified authorized individuals from possessing a firearm at a covered airport, including any individual who enters the airport, or exits public transportation at it, for air travel, meeting another individual, picking up cargo, or employment. Directs TSA to require airport operators to: display conspicuous notices summarizing the program at each airport entrance, and require law enforcement personnel to monitor the airport to prevent violations and escort air travelers who are authorized to carry a firearm. Prescribes criminal penalties for nonauthorized individuals who knowingly possess a firearm at a covered airport.