Virginia man cited by police after TSA intercepts two guns in his carry-on bag at Washington Dulles International Airport

Local Press Release
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
This is one of two loaded firearms were detected in one man’s carry-on bag by TSA officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on December 16. (TSA photo)

DULLES, Va. –  A Waterford, Va., man was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) intercepted two firearms among the man’s carry-on items on Monday, December 16. The .380 caliber handguns were loaded with six bullets each and were detected in the man’s shoulder bag. 

The firearms were caught as the man entered the security checkpoint and the X-ray unit alerted on his carry-on bag. TSA officers identified the firearms inside the man’s carry-on bag and notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police who confiscated the guns and cited the traveler on a weapons charge.  

This is one of two loaded firearms were detected in one man’s carry-on bag by TSA officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on December 16. (TSA photo)
This is one of two loaded firearms were detected in one man’s carry-on bag by TSA officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on December 16. (TSA photo)

“It’s bad enough when a traveler shows up with a single gun in his carry-on bag, but to be toting around two loaded guns in an airport is inexcusable,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Monday’s guns were the 27th and 28th firearms that our team has intercepted at our checkpoints, which is the most we have intercepted in a single year.

“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 12/16/24)

Guns caught at Washington Dulles International Airport checkpoints 

 

24

 

19  

 

17

 

19  

 

7  

 

 19

 

25

 

24

 

28

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). 

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