Virginia Man Brings Loaded Gun To Reagan National Airport: TSA

ARLINGTON, VA — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a Virginia man who tried to board a plane with a loaded handgun at Reagan National Airport Wednesday.

The Annandale man was stopped at the security checkpoint with a 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag, TSA officials announced Thursday. The gun was loaded with 13 bullets and was detected on the checkpoint X-ray machine.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police officers confiscated the firearm and cited the man on a state weapons charge. He was ticketed to fly to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There was no impact to airport operations.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, TSA officials say.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on TSA.gov.

Photo: TSA