By MALCOLM JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer

Under the cloud of international terrorism, the state Senate is considering legislation that would beef up security at Michigan's airports.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up bills this week to prohibit firearms on commercial airport property. Michigan does not currently have any such ban.

``There are hundreds of employees of an airport who can go into a sterile zone without going through a metal detector,'' said Sen. Philip Hoffman (R-Horton), who sponsored with bills. ``This is a positive step to ensure that the flying public will be safe when they fly,'' he said.

The legislation was introduced earlier this year, well before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

The terrorist attacks have given the bills sudden momentum.

On July 1, Michigan began making it much easier to get a concealed-weapon permit.

Republican Sen. William Van Regenmorter, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said the panel will study what federal action is already being taken to improve airport security before it acts.

Van Regenmorter of Ottawa County's Georgetown Township said the bills likely will be enlarged to include knives and box cutters, allegedly used in the Sept. 11 airplane hijackings.

Carrying a gun on commercial airport property for someone without a concealed-weapon permit would be a felony with a penalty of up to four years in prison.

For someone with a permit:

· A first offense would bring a top fine of $500 and a six-month suspension of the permit.

· A second violation would call for a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 and revocation of the permit.

· A third offense would be a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

``People properly trained and authorized to use firearms will be the only ones allowed to carry weapons in our airports,'' Hoffman said.

He added that hunters who check in their guns for travel would not be affected by the legislation.