Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73not60

§46503 Interference with Security Screening Personnel

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part A— AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY › Subpart iv— enforcement and penalties › Chapter 465— SPECIAL AIRCRAFT JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES › § 46503

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Attacking a federal, airport, or airline worker who has security duties inside a U.S. commercial airport is a crime. A person who does this can be fined under Title 18, put in prison for up to 10 years, or both. If a dangerous weapon is used, the person can be imprisoned for any number of years or for life. Workers with security duties include airport or airline staff who handle ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, or boarding.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §46503

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An individual in an area within a commercial service airport in the United States who, by assaulting a Federal, airport, or air carrier employee who has security duties within the airport, interferes with the performance of the duties of the employee or lessens the ability of the employee to perform those duties, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. If the individual used a dangerous weapon in committing the assault or interference, the individual may be imprisoned for any term of years or life imprisonment.

(b)For purposes of this section, an airport or air carrier employee who has security duties within the airport includes an airport or air carrier employee performing ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, or boarding functions.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 46503, Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1242, provided for death penalty sentencing procedure for individuals convicted of aircraft piracy, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–322, title VI, § 60003(b)(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1970.

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 46503

Title 49 — Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60