Loaded Gun In Fredericksburg Man's Bag At Richmond Airport: TSA

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Authorities say a Fredericksburg man was arrested at Richmond International Airport Aug. 30 after a Transportation Security Administration officer found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag.

The handgun was loaded with six bullets. A TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray monitor detected the .380 caliber firearm inside the man’s carry-on bag as it entered the X-ray machine. TSA officials notified the airport police, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the gun and arrested the man on weapons charges.

Thursday’s gun catch marks the ninth firearm that TSA officers have made at the airport so far this year. Last year 18 guns were caught at the airport’s checkpoints.

What is the proper procedure for transporting firearms on flights?

Firearms are never permitted in carry-on bags. Firearms are permitted in checked bags if the following requirements are met:

• They are declared to the airline in advance.
• They are unloaded and properly packed.
• The carrier possesses the necessary permits.

Firearms carried as checked baggage must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in. Read the guidelines.

Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on, but may be transported in checked baggage.

Travelers who bring weapons to the checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000. This applies to passengers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted online.

Passengers should check with their airline if ammunition is permitted in checked baggage. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must be packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees.

More information on how to travel with a firearm can be found on the TSA's website.

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PHOTO: TSA officers say a man had this loaded handgun in his carry-on bag Aug. 30 at Richmond Airport. (Photo courtesy of TSA.)