This handgun was detected by TSA officers at a Richmond International Airport security checkpoint on Sept. 21. (TSA photo)
RICHMOND, Va. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Richmond International Airport prevented a Richmond, Va., man from bringing his handgun onto a flight on Thursday. The .45 caliber pistol was loaded with five bullets, including one in the chamber.
The gun was caught as the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection. The firearm was removed by the Richmond Airport Police, who cited the man on a weapons charge.
The man also faces a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
“This was the 12th firearm that our officers have caught so far this year. I urge travelers to take a few moments before they come to the airport to refresh their familiarity with the proper procedures on how to pack a gun for a flight,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Firearms should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”
Firearms caught by TSA officers at Richmond International Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2023
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 As of 9/21/23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guns caught at Richmond International Airport (RIC) checkpoints |
14 |
14 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
12 |
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case must be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).