H. R. 2767

To prohibit certain individuals from possessing a firearm in an airport, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Grayson, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Honda, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Ms. Speier, Ms. Jackson Lee, Ms. Lee, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, and Mr. Beyer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To prohibit certain individuals from possessing a firearm in an airport, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Airport Security Act of 2015”.

SEC. 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’ means an airport and any appurtenant building or area that is related to the operation of the airport, including a building or area on the site of the airport designed to—

“(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’ means the operator of a covered airport.

“(C) ASSISTANT SECRETARY.—The term ‘Assistant Secretary’ means the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

“(D) COVERED AIRPORT.—The term ‘covered airport’ means an airport that in the preceding fiscal year received an amount allocated or apportioned under chapter 471.

“(E) FIREARM.—The term ‘firearm’ has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(3) of title 18.

“(F) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.—The term ‘public transportation’ means a conveyance that provides regular and continuing general or special transportation to the public.”.

(b) Criminal penalty for possession.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“§ 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’ has the meaning given the term in section 44903(o)(5)(D) of title 49.”.

(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 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

“932. Possession of firearms at airports.”.