2 Passengers Stopped With Loaded Guns At Reagan Airport Screening: TSA

ARLINGTON, VA — Two passengers in unrelated cases were stopped by federal officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport from bringing loaded handguns onto their flights Sunday.

Transportation Security Administration officers at Reagan National Airport prevented a Florida resident with his loaded .380 caliber handgun and an Arkansas woman with her .22 caliber gun that was loaded with five bullets, a TSA news release said.

The firearms were caught as the travelers entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on their carry-on bags and the guns were removed by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police officers, who confiscated the guns and cited the travelers on weapons charges, the TSA said.

Civil penalties for carrying a weapon can reach a maximum of $15,000.

“The Memorial Day holiday may be a week away, but the summer holiday travel season has started,” said John Busch, TSA’s federal security director at the airport, in a statement. “Our officers are good at their jobs and are staying vigilant to keep all travelers safe and secure. Airports are congested, people are eager to travel and this is no time to be carrying prohibited or illegal items in your carry-on bag."

Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.

So far this year, TSA agents have seized 16 guns at Reagan National Airport.

It's the responsibility of gun owners to know where their firearms are at all times and know that they should not be in a carry-on bag, Busch said.

“I am very concerned that most people who are stopped at TSA checkpoints with a firearm ‘forgot it was in the bag.’ And so loaded and unsecured firearms, with an oblivious owner, were near all the other travelers. This presents a potentially hazardous situation. When packing for a trip, I recommend starting with an empty bag to ensure that there are no prohibited items inside. Bringing any prohibited items slows down the security screening process for everyone," Busch said.

Passengers who bring weapons to an airport security checkpoint may get federal fines of up to $15,000. Officials will also revoke the Trusted Traveler status and the TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits for anybody who breaks these rules. A full list of penalties is posted here.

TSA has information on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

Passengers are never allowed to have a gun on their person or in their carry-on luggage, even if they have a concealed carry permit.

Travelers can only fly with firearms in their checked baggage if the guns are unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case. Ammunition must be in its original box, even if the box is not full. Bullets can be packed in the locked, hard-sided case next to the gun.

Passengers must bring their firearm to the airline check-in counter and declare it to an airline representative. Guns are placed in the belly of the aircraft so nobody can access them during the flight.

Visit this link to see TSA's full instructions on how to properly travel with a gun. Travelers should also check their local laws and airline policies before flying with a firearm.

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).