TSA officers at Reagan National Airport intercepted this loaded gun at a security checkpoint on October 7. (TSA photo)
ARLINGTON, Va. – A Virginia man was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted him with a firearm and 43 bullets at a security checkpoint yesterday (October 7). The 9mm firearm was loaded with 17 bullets and was packed alongside 26 additional bullets.
TSA officers intercepted the firearm and notified the Washington Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon along with the ammunition and issued the man a criminal citation.
Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and the man, a resident of Orange, Va., faces a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“It is disappointing to see someone who shows up with a loaded gun along with so much additional ammunition in their carry-on bag,” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “TSA has been in existence for about 23 years yet, guns on planes have been prohibited decades before TSA even existed. Responsible gun owners know the firearms regulations and know where their firearm is at all times. Unwittingly having a loaded weapon in your possession is very dangerous, and puts everyone around you at risk. Our security officers are diligent and work hard to keep everyone safe. We will remain vigilant. I ask all firearms owners to be as attentive to their own property.”
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
TSA firearms caught at TSA checkpoints at Reagan National Airport, 2018 to 2024
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 (As of 10/7/24) |
|
Guns caught at the Reagan National Airport checkpoints |
16 |
14 |
10 |
30 |
29 |
39 |
30 |
Bringing a firearm 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).