Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted two firearms in carry-on bags at security checkpoints this past weekend.
They prevented a Falls Church, Va., man from carrying his 9 mm gun loaded with 10 bullets from getting through the checkpoint on Saturday, April 6. The very next day they stopped a Leesburg, Va., man who was carrying an unloaded .380 handgun in his backpack. The man told TSA officers that he forgot that he had his gun with him.
In both cases, the guns were detected as the men entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted the TSA to take a closer look inside their carry-on bags. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the guns and cited the individuals on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms, law enforcement does.
Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and the men now faces a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“Before heading to the airport, it is vital that travelers double-check the contents of their carry-on bags to ensure that there are no illegal or prohibited items inside.” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint delays travelers. More important is the fact that bringing a gun to a checkpoint is a security risk that our officers take seriously, which is why these two travelers each face a federal financial civil penalty.”
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
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.
Last year, 6,735 firearms were caught at airport security checkpoints nationwide and 93 percent were loaded.
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).
