CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Putnam County, West Virginia, man was cited by police after a Transportation Security Administration officer at Yeager Airport (CRW) spotted a loaded gun in the man’s carry-on bag at the airport checkpoint.
The man, a resident of Scott Depot, West Virginia, was stopped at the checkpoint with a .380 caliber handgun loaded with six bullets. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint spotted the handgun as it appeared on the X-ray monitor.
TSA officers immediately contacted the Yeager Airport Police, who responded and confiscated the gun and cited the man on weapons charges. There was no impact to airport operations. The traveler told officials that he did not know that his loaded gun was in his carry-on bag.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900.
TSA’s website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.