This loaded firearm was detected by TSA officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on December 9. (TSA photo)
DULLES, Va. – A Warrenton, Va., man was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) intercepted a firearm among the man’s carry-on items on Monday, December 9. The .45 caliber handgun was loaded with eight bullets, including one in the chamber. It marked the 26th firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at the airport in a single year, which broke the record of 25 guns caught in 2022.
The firearm was caught as the man entered the security checkpoint and the X-ray unit alerted on his carry-on bag. TSA officers identified the firearm inside the man’s carry-on bag and notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police who confiscated the firearm and cited the traveler on a weapons charge.
“Our officers are to be commended for their continued vigilance as travelers continue to bring their firearms to our checkpoints,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Monday’s gun was the 26th one our team has intercepted at our checkpoints, which is a new record for a single year. Still, this is not the type of record that we aim to set. We would much rather see fewer travelers bringing their guns to the checkpoints.
“Travelers are responsible for the contents of their carry-on bags, so it is vitally important to know that you do not have anything illegal or prohibited inside,” Johnson added. “To help ensure that there is nothing inside, it is a best practice to start with an empty bag. For example, if you don’t know what you may have thrown in your backpack last week, empty it completely and start to pack it from scratch before heading to the airport.”
In addition to the citation by airport police, this individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty. Civil penalties for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000. This even applies to travelers with concealed carry permits or are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearms caught by TSA at Washington Dulles International National Airport checkpoints, 2016 to 2024
Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 (as of 12/9/24) |
Guns caught at Washington Dulles International Airport checkpoints |
24 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
7 |
19 |
25 |
24 |
26 |
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. 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.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and passengers should do their homework to make sure that they are not violating any local firearm laws. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
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).