CHARLESTON, WV. – A man was cited by police after a Transportation Security Administration officer at Yeager Airport (CRW) spotted a handgun in the man’s carry-on bag at the airport checkpoint on Wednesday, August 16.
The man was stopped at the checkpoint with his .32 caliber handgun in a carry-on abag along with three empty magazines. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint spotted the handgun as it appeared on the X-ray monitor. The man told TSA officials that he meant to check the gun but he forgot he still had his gun in his carry-on bag.
TSA officers immediately contacted the police, who responded, confiscated the gun and cited the man on weapons charges. It marked the third time so far this year that TSA has stopped a gun from getting past the airport’s checkpoint. Last year TSA officers caught six guns at Yeager’s checkpoint.
When a traveler shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident.
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. Even travelers with concealed carry permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes. In addition, TSA has the authority to access civil penalties of up to $13,000 for travelers who bring weapons to the airport. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online.
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.