Virginia man with gun arrested at Richmond International Airport after TSA spots the deadly weapon

Local Press Release

RICHMOND, Va. – A Chesterfield County, Virginia, resident was arrested at Richmond International Airport Monday, Dec. 4 after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials found a loaded semi-automatic handgun in the traveler’s carry-on bag. It marked the 15th firearm that TSA officers have caught at the airport checkpoints so far this year—far surpassing the 10 that were caught in 2016.

A TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray monitor detected the 9 mm handgun inside the man’s carry-on bag. The handgun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.

TSA immediately contacted the Richmond Airport Police Department, which responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man, a resident of Midlothian, Virginia, on state weapons charges.

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Number of Firearms TSA Stopped at Checkpoints

2017

15

2016

10

2015

7

2014

7

2013

7
 
As a reminder, weapons—including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are not permitted in carry-on bags. TSA’s website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000. A typical first offense results in a $3,000 civil penalty from TSA.

Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items. 

Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.

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