This handgun was detected by TSA officers at a Norfolk International Airport security checkpoint on May 24. (TSA photo)
NORFOLK, Va. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Norfolk International Airport prevented a California man from bringing his loaded handgun onto a flight on Friday, May 24. The .45 caliber handgun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.
The gun was detected 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 local police, who confiscated the weapon and cited the man on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms; law enforcement officers do.
“It has been a very busy Memorial Day holiday travel period across the country, and in fact, May 24th was the busiest day ever in TSA’s 22-year history,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “When individuals bring their firearms to our checkpoints, it slows down the checkpoint screening process for everyone, and on the busiest day ever, that was certainly not something that other travelers needed to experience. What’s important to know is that our officers are good at their jobs and even with sky-high checkpoint volume, they remain alert and vigilant in screening individuals who are arriving at our checkpoints,” Burke continued. “I commend our officers on their good catch in preventing an individual from boarding a plane with a loaded firearm.”
In addition to being criminally cited by police, 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.
The case will be forwarded to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
Firearms caught by TSA officers at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints, 2016 to 2024
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 As of 5/27/24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guns caught at Norfolk International Airport (ORF) checkpoints |
14 |
10 |
21 |
15 |
12 |
23 |
27 |
29 |
15 |
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then 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.
Last year, 6,735 firearms were caught at airport security checkpoints nationwide and 93 percent of them were loaded.
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).