A Norfolk man was caught with this handgun in his carry-on bag at a Norfolk International Airport checkpoint on June 27. (TSA photo)
NORFOLK, Va.—A Norfolk, Va., man was cited by airport police after a Transportation Security Administration officer caught him with a .45 caliber handgun in his carry-on bag at Norfolk International Airport on Saturday, June 27.
The TSA officer detected the gun as the man’s carry-on items entered the checkpoint X-ray machine. Airport police were contacted, responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and detained the man for questioning before citing him on weapons charges.
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.
Individuals are not permitted to carry guns on airplanes. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. TSA reserves the right to issue monetary civil penalties for individuals caught with weapons at the checkpoint. The complete list of penalties is posted online here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/civil-enforcement.
Guns caught at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints from 2016 to 2020
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (As of June 27, 2020) |
|
Guns caught at checkpoints |
14 |
10 |
21 |
15 |
5 |
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. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.