Handgun Found In TN Woman's Carry-On Bag At National Airport: TSA

ARLINGTON, VA — Transportation Security Administration officers prevented a Tennessee woman from carrying her unloaded handgun onto a flight leaving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Sunday.

The X-ray unit at a security checkpoint alerted TSA officers to examine the woman's carry-on bag, where they found an unloaded .380 caliber handgun packed alongside 20 bullets. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the firearm and ammunition and cited the woman on a weapons charge.

It is unlawful for individuals to bring weapons to an airport security check. The Tennessee traveler faces up to $15,000 in fines for the infraction.

“Bringing a loaded gun to an airport security checkpoint introduces unnecessary risks and delays fellow travelers,” said John Busch, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “Spring break travel is upon us and this is a very busy time of year at the airport. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times and they know not to bring them to an airport security checkpoint. Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy travel season to help ensure everyone can travel safely.”

People are allowed to travel with their handguns, but the handguns must be properly stored in their checked baggage and declared at check-in. In addition, handguns must be stored unloaded in a hard-locked case, with ammunition stored separately. The hard-locked case must be brought to the airline check-in window, where it will be checked with the traveler's baggage. TSA has more information available online for people traveling with firearms.

The handgun confiscated on Sunday was the eighth weapon TSA officers have detected at Washington National in 2024. Thirty-nine firearms were stopped at the airport in 2023, which was 10 more than the previous year.