NORFOLK, Va.—Two Virginia residents have been caught by Transportation Security Administration officers with loaded guns in their carry-on bags within the last 10 days at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints—one who was caught yesterday and the other on March 6.
Yesterday, (March 15) a TSA officer caught a Hampton, Virginia, man with a .22 caliber handgun in his carry-on bag. It was loaded with five bullets, including one in the chamber.
On March 6, a Chesapeake, Virginia, man was stopped with a 9 mm caliber handgun loaded with five bullets. A TSA officer detected the gun in a carry-on bag.
In each instance, the guns were spotted in the checkpoint x-ray machines by TSA officers who were staffing the x-ray monitors.
As a reminder, individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online.
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-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on TSA.gov. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.