[crazygringo]

It's just federal law.

Cities don't own restaurants either but can fine them and close them if health inspections fail, because there's a law for that.

The legal basis is the federal laws written specifically around airport security.

[ziml77]

I think the question here is, which laws?

[sokoloff]

LMGTFY: Aviation and Transportation Security Act

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-107publ71/html/PLAW...

[seg_lol]

The confusion in this thread shows me that even here, no one understands even the question, let alone the answer.