Virginia man cited by police after TSA catches him with handgun at Richmond International Airport security checkpoint

Local Press Release
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
This handgun was detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Richmond International Airport on Jan. 29. (TSA photo)

RICHMOND, Va. – A West Chesterfield, Virginia, man was issued two citations by police at Richmond International Airport this morning, Jan. 29, after a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer found a .380 caliber handgun in the traveler’s carry-on bag. It was not loaded.

TSA officials notified the airport police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the handgun and detained the man for questioning before issuing him a citation on a weapons charge in addition to a citation for not having a permit to carry the gun.

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.

Guns caught by year

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

(as of 1-29-20)

Richmond International Airport

10

18

14

14

2

Nationwide last year, 4,432 firearms were discovered in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country, averaging about 12.1 firearms per day, approximately a 5% increase nationally in firearm discoveries from the total of 4,239 detected in 2018. Eighty-seven percent of firearms detected at checkpoints last year were loaded.

As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to a security checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed firearm permits are not allowed to bring guns onto airplanes in their carry-on bags. If the individual is a TSA Pre✓® member, that person could even lose their TSA Pre✓® status. In addition, TSA has the authority to assess civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $4,100. The complete list of penalties is posted online.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

###