TSA officers prevent man from bringing loaded handgun onto flight at Norfolk International Airport

NORFOLK, Va. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Norfolk International Airport prevented a Florida resident from bringing his loaded handgun onto a flight on Friday, April 19.

The handgun was loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber and was the 10th firearm that TSA officers have intercepted at the checkpoint so far this year.

The gun was detected 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 local police, who confiscated the weapon and cited the man on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms; law enforcement officers do.

In addition to being criminally cited by police, 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.

The case will be forwarded to the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.

"It appears that this traveler had packed his firearm in a gun case, however, he needed just a few more important steps before he could travel with it," explained Robin "Chuck" Burke, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "He needed to ensure the firearm was unloaded, then taken the locked gun case to his airline to declare he wanted to fly with it. At that point, the airline representative would ensure that the firearm could be transported as checked baggage Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy spring break travel season to help ensure everyone can travel safely."

Firearms caught by TSA officers at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints, 2016 to 2024

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, 6,735 firearms were caught at airport security checkpoints nationwide and 93 percent of them 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).