ARLINGTON, Va. - Transportation Security Administration officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) stopped a Manassas, Virginia, resident from bringing a loaded handgun onto a flight Thursday, Nov. 2.
The man was stopped at the checkpoint with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag. The gun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber. The TSA officer who was staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the handgun as it passed along the checkpoint conveyor belt.
TSA officers immediately contacted the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police, and when they arrived at the checkpoint, they confiscated the firearm and cited the man on a state weapons charge. There was no impact to airport operations.
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-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality.
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
