TSA officer arrested with gun at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

An employee with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was recently arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

He is just the latest airport worker to be arrested with a firearm, according to officials.

Matthew Lamar Gilbert arrested

What we know:

According to Atlanta police, they responded to TSA's main checkpoint at the world's busiest airport on Jan. 21 in reference to a TSA officer with a firearm beyond the security checkpoint.

Officers arrested 58-year-old Matthew Lamar Gilbert and charged him with reckless conduct. He was transported to Clayton County Jail without incident. He has since been released from jail. 

What we don't know:

At this time, it is unknown why Gilbert allegedly brought a gun with him to work.

The only TSA employees allowed to carry firearms are LEOs or law enforcement officers such as criminal investigators, Federal Air Marshals, Assistant Federal Security Directors, and security specialists. Those employees are issued a badge and credential authorizing them to carry firearms, must complete required TSA training, and maintain proficiency in the use of firearms he/she is allowed to carry. 

TSA responds to employee's arrest

What they're saying:

A TSA spokesperson sent the following statement to FOX 5 Atlanta:

"TSA is aware of the arrest of an officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on Tuesday morning. TSA has zero tolerance for misconduct on or off duty and the officer involved has been removed from screening status, placed on leave pending further action, based on resolution of the case. Passenger and employee safety is top priority for TSA, and we are working closely with our Atlanta Airport Police partners on this incident."

Atlanta airport workers arrested for firearms

Dig deeper:

Hartsfield-Jackson once again ranked No. 1 in the nation in 2024 for most guns found by TSA agents or officers at security checkpoints. According to the TSA, 440 guns were found last year. Nationally, the TSA discovered over 6,600 firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2024.

Gilbert is one of dozens of people who work at the airport police say have been caught with guns in the last year.

"We do not want guns in the secured area of the airport," said Capt. Toya Young with Atlanta Police. "Prior to getting to the secured area, you're free to carry, but once you're entering into a secured area, it is against the law to carry a firearm."

By the numbers:

Atlanta Police numbers show airport employees are being caught with guns more frequently. 

2022–8

2023–39

2024–62

The numbers show that from 2022 to 2024 there was a 675% increase. Atlanta Police Capt. Young says most people say they forgot the gun was on them.

"We carry weapons to protect ourselves, so if you are carrying a weapon and it's supposed to be used for protection and you don't know where it is, that's concerning," she said.

RELATED: Number of guns found at Atlanta airport down, but still No. 1 in the nation

The backstory:

FOX 5 obtained surveillance video from last year at a security checkpoint as an Atlanta police officer removed a gun from an employee’s bag. The employee in question was not arrested, but he was fired and lost his airport security badge.

"The increase in numbers just shows that we're doing our job because employees, they're still held to a standard," Capt. Young says. "If an employee comes through with a firearm, they are terminated immediately."

The increase of armed employees comes as Atlanta TSA officers found slightly less guns on passengers in 2024, but Atlanta still leads the nation in firearm detections. Captain Young says to help raise awareness about the gun problem, more signs have been put up.

What's next:

FOX 5 Atlanta has reached out for a mug shot and additional details about the incident.

AtlantaHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportCrime and Public SafetyNews