This handgun was removed from a traveler’s backpack at Reagan National Airport on Jan. 2. (TSA photo)
ARLINGTON, Va. – An Idaho man started the new year on the wrong foot when he was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with a handgun among his carry-on items on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
TSA officers prevented the man from bringing a .22 caliber handgun onto his flight. The gun, which was located in the man’s backpack, was not loaded.
The man told officials that he didn’t realize that he was carrying a gun and claimed that it belonged to his girlfriend’s uncle. He did not explain how a gun that he said he did not own came to be in his possession.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police cited the man on a weapons charge. He 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.
“Before heading to the airport, we encourage people to start with an empty bag when packing for the airport,” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “It’s equally important to pack your own bag so that you know the contents of what you are carrying and you know with certainty that there is nothing prohibited inside.
Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded and 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.
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).