TSA officers prevent two travelers from bringing loaded guns on their flights on Sunday at Norfolk International Airport

NORFOLK, Va. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Norfolk International Airport intercepted two firearms from being carried onto flights at Norfolk International Airport on Sunday, August 4.

A Suffolk, Va., man was stopped with a .22 caliber handgun that was loaded with eight bullets, including one in the chamber. In addition, a female resident of Illinois was stopped with a 9mm handgun loaded with five bullets. Her firearm also had a bullet in the chamber. The incidents were not related.

In each instance, the firearms were detected as the individuals entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on their carry-on bags, which required a closer inspection. The firearms were removed and confiscated by the local police, who also cited the travelers on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms; law enforcement officers do.

“When individuals bring their firearms to our checkpoints, they are introducing a risk to everyone in the area and it also slows down the checkpoint screening process for other travelers because when a gun is detected, the checkpoint lane comes to a complete halt until police arrive and remove the firearm and traveler from the checkpoint,” explained Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport.

“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.

The case will be forwarded to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

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.

Firearms caught by TSA officers at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints, 2016 to 2024

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.

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).