Loaded Handgun Found In NC Man's Carry-On Bag By TSA At VA Airport

ARLINGTON, VA — Transportation Security Administration officers prevented a North Carolina man from carrying a loaded handgun onto a flight leaving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday.

The X-ray unit at an airport security checkpoint notified TSA officers to inspect the traveler's carry-on bag. That's where they found a 9mm gun loaded with six bullets.

Officers from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the gun and cited the man on a weapons charge. The traveler faces up to $15,000 in penalties for carrying a weapon to an airport check point.

“Spring break travel has begun and this is a very busy time of year at the airport,” said John Busch, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “Bringing a loaded gun to an airport security checkpoint introduces unnecessary delays to fellow travelers and of course represents a security risk. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times and they know not to bring them to an airport security checkpoint. Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy travel season to help ensure everyone can travel safely.”

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.

The gun found on Monday was the ninth TSA has detected at Reagan National Airport in Arlington since the beginning of the year. Thirty-nine firearms were stopped at the airport in 2023, which was 10 more than the previous year.