TSA Stops Virginia Man From Bringing Handgun Onto Plane At Dulles Airport Thursday

DULLES, VA — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped a Virginia man from bringing his 9mm handgun onto a flight at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday, according to a release.

After detaining the passenger, TSA notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police, who confiscated the weapon. The firearm did not contain any bullets.

For carrying the gun to a TSA checkpoint, the Bentonville, Virginia resident faces a stiff federal penalty that could include thousands of dollars in fines. Even travelers who have a concealed carry permit are not allowed to bring a weapon to an airport checkpoint and would face federal civil charges if they did.

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.

To date, TSA agents have stopped 17 firearms at IAD checkpoints this year. Here are the number of firearms stopped by TSA agents at the airport each year since 2017:

• 2017: 19
• 2018: 17
• 2019: 19
• 2020: 7*
• 2021: 17*

*The airport saw fewer passengers traveling during the pandemic.