BALTIMORE - A Loudoun County, Virginia, woman was arrested at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) on Friday, Feb. 24 after Transportation Security Administration officers caught her trying to carry a loaded handgun past a security checkpoint. The woman was not ticketed to fly; instead she had received a gate pass from the airline to escort her children to their gate.
The mom was caught with a.380 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with six bullets in her handbag. She told TSA officials that she forgot that she had her loaded gun with her while she was escorting her children.
TSA officers detected the gun as the woman was entering the TSA checkpoint. TSA officers contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the firearm and arrested the woman, a resident of Leesburg, Virginia, on state weapons charges.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA of up to $12,000.
TSA’s website has details on how to properly travel with a firearm. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration
