Reston Man Brings 2 Loaded Guns To Dulles Airport: TSA

A Reston man was stopped at Dulles Airport after a Transportation Security Administration officer spotted two loaded handguns in his carry-on bag, TSA says.

The officer found them after the bag passed through an X-ray monitor on Saturday, Sept. 1, according to a statement from TSA.

One was a .40 caliber handgun loaded with 13 bullets and the other a .38 caliber handgun loaded with six bullets, the statement noted.

"TSA officers immediately contacted the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police, and when they arrived at the checkpoint, they confiscated the firearms and cited the man, a resident of Reston, Virginia, on state weapons charges," the statement reads. "The man claimed that he forgot that he was carrying two loaded handguns with him."

These are the 13th and 14th guns caught at a Dulles checkpoint by TSA officers in 2018, TSA says. Last year, TSA officers caught 19 handguns.

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

"As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement," TSA states. "This includes travelers with gun permits. A permit to carry a firearm does not allow for it to be brought onto an aircraft.

"TSA has the authority to access civil penalties of up to $13,000 for travelers who bring weapons to airports. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. Each weapon counts as one offense. Even travelers who have a firearm permit are not allowed to bring their guns past checkpoints."

Images via TSA