Woman Tries to Bring Loaded Gun on Flight Out of Reagan National

Transportation Security Administration officers Wednesday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stopped a Lynchburg, Va., woman from bringing a loaded gun onto a flight to Memphis, according to TSA.

The Lynchburg resident was stopped at a checkpoint with the gun, loaded with seven rounds, plus one in the chamber, according to TSA. She was cited by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police on weapons charges after the TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the handgun as it passed along the conveyor belt.

It was the ninth gun that TSA officers have detected at DCA checkpoints so far this calendar year. In 2014, TSA officers detected 14 guns at the airport.

TSA officers immediately contacted the Airports Authority Police Department, which polices the airport. Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and cited the woman on a weapons charge. There was no impact to airport operations.

The TSA notes that as a reminder, weapons—including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are not permitted in carry-on bags. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $11,000.

Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.

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

Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.