A Silver Spring woman is the latest to face fines and a criminal charge after TSA officers intercepted a loaded gun in her carry-on luggage at Reagan National Airport.
The incident occurred this past Thursday, Aug. 8, when Transportation Security Administration screeners discovered a 9mm firearm loaded with six bullets, including one in the chamber, during a routine security check.
Airport police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and issued the woman a criminal citation.
The case highlights the ongoing problem of travelers attempting to bring firearms through airport security checkpoints.
“It is troubling to see travelers continue to bring their firearms to our checkpoints instead of properly packing them for a flight,” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport.
Busch expressed concern about the potential dangers of unsecured firearms in airport settings.
“A loaded, unsecured firearm, with an unwitting owner, is just a tragedy waiting to happen,” he said.
The incident marks the 26th gun intercepted at National Airport checkpoints so far in 2024. This continues a trend of increasing firearm interceptions at the airport in recent years.
In 2023, TSA officers caught 39 guns at DCA checkpoints, up from 29 in 2022 and 30 in 2021. The numbers have risen significantly since 2018 when 16 firearms were intercepted.
Travelers caught with firearms at TSA checkpoints face severe consequences, including potential criminal charges and civil penalties of up to $15,000. The TSA emphasizes that firearms are never permitted through security checkpoints, regardless of whether a traveler has a concealed carry permit.
Busch noted that many travelers claim they simply forgot the gun was in their bag.
“Nearly all the travelers we encounter with a firearm say, ‘I forgot it was there,'” Busch said. “That is very concerning.”
The TSA provides clear guidelines for travelers who wish to legally transport firearms on flights.
“If you want to travel with your firearm, all that we ask is that you pack it the right way,” Busch explained. “It is a fairly simple process.”
The proper procedure involves packing an unloaded gun in a hard-sided, locked case and declaring it at the airline check-in counter. The airline then ensures the firearm is transported in the plane’s cargo hold, inaccessible during the flight.
In addition to financial penalties, travelers caught with firearms at checkpoints may lose TSA PreCheck privileges if they are members of the program.
