Loaded Handgun Found In Carry-On Bag By TSA Officers At VA Airport

DULLES, VA — Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a Maryland man from bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight leaving Washington Dulles International Airport on Friday.

TSA officers detained the Hagerstown man after the X-ray unit at one of the airport's security checkpoints detected a handgun in his carry-on bag. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 15 bullets, include one in the chamber, according to the TSA. An additional 12 bullets were also found packed next to the handgun.

TSA notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police. They confiscated the handgun and ammunition and cited the man on a weapons charge. The traveler now faces a possible civil penalty of up to $15,000 for carrying a weapon at the checkpoint.

“Our officers are well trained and remain vigilant in their mission, especially during the long Thanksgiving holiday travel period,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “There is no excuse for bringing a gun to the checkpoint. Responsible gun owners do not bring their guns to a checkpoint. The Monday after Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest days of the year as people who have been on an extended Thanksgiving trip continue to make their way home. This was irresponsible on the part of this traveler on one of the busiest days of the year. Incidents such as this are dangerous, they disrupt our security screening operations and cause delays for other law-abiding travelers who just want to get on their flight. This man now faces a Federal civil penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars."

People are allowed to travel with their handguns, but the handguns must be properly stored in their checked baggage and declared at check-in. In addition, handguns must be stored unloaded in a hard-locked case, with ammunition stored separately. The hard-locked case must be brought to the airline check-in window, where it will be checked with the traveler's baggage. TSA has more information available online for people traveling with firearms.

From 2016-2023, TSA officers stopped 132 weapons from being carried onto flights leaving Dulles Airport, including 22 this year to date.