This loaded firearm was detected by TSA officers at Washington Dulles International Airport on Feb. 10. (TSA photo)
DULLES, Va. – A Winchester, 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, Feb. 10. The 9mm handgun was loaded with six bullets.
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 Eric Beane, TSA’s Deputy Federal Security Director for the airport. “Monday’s gun was the second one our team has intercepted at our checkpoints so far this year. We would rather see fewer travelers bringing their guns to the checkpoints. We recommend that when bringing a bag to the airport that travelers start with an empty bag so that they know with certainty that there is nothing illegal or prohibited inside. Doing so is a best practice when it comes to packing.”
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 2025
Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 As of 2/10/25 |
Guns caught at Washington Dulles International Airport checkpoints |
24 |
19 |
17 |
19 |
7 |
19 |
25 |
24 |
29 |
2 |
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).