Great Falls Resident Brings Loaded Gun To Dulles Airport

DULLES, VA—A Great Falls resident tried to board a plane with a loaded handgun at Dulles International Airport Wednesday, according to Transportation Security Administration officials.

The person was stopped at the security checkpoint with a .38 caliber pistol in a carry-on bag, TSA officials said. The gun was loaded with five bullets and was detected on the checkpoint X-ray machine.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the firearm. TSA has stopped 15 guns at Dulles checkpoints to date this year.

Those who bring guns through secuity can face criminal charges and TSA fines up to $12,000. Travelers can bring guns on their trips if they are unloaded and packed properly in checked bags.

Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state, locality and airline, TSA officials say. More details can be found on TSA.gov.

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Image via TSA