This handgun was detected by TSA officers at a Richmond International Airport security checkpoint on Nov. 26. (TSA photo)
RICHMOND, Va. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Richmond International Airport prevented a New Kent, Va., man from bringing his handgun onto a flight yesterday, Nov. 26, on what was the busiest day in TSA history for the number of passengers screened nationwide.
The .40 caliber handgun was not loaded, but it was packed alongside two gun magazines with 14 bullets.
The gun was caught as the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection. The firearm was removed by the Richmond Airport Police, who cited the man on a weapons charge.
The man also faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
“Our officers are well trained and remain vigilant in their mission, especially during the holiday travel season,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “There is no excuse for bringing a gun to the checkpoint. Responsible gun owners do not bring their guns to a checkpoint. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest days of the year and yesterday was actually the busiest day ever in terms of the number of people who were screened at our checkpoints nationwide when we screened more than 2.9 million people. This was irresponsible on the part of this traveler on the busiest day of the year, plain and simple. Incidents such as this are dangerous, they disrupt our security screening operations and cause delays for other law-abiding travelers who just want to get on their flight to travel for the holiday. This man now faces a Federal civil penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars.”
Firearms caught by TSA officers at Richmond International Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2023
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 As of 11/26/23 |
|
Guns caught at Richmond International Airport (RIC) checkpoints |
14 |
14 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
16 |
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case must be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).