Georgia woman cited by police after TSA intercepts her with a “pretty” gun at Reagan National Airport

ARLINGTON, Va. - A Georgia woman was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted a teal-colored gun with black floral designs on it among the woman's carry-on items. The 9mm firearm was loaded with three gun magazines, totaling 30 bullets packed next to the gun.

When TSA officers intercepted the firearm and notified police, the Washington Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and issued her a criminal citation. The woman told officials that she mistakenly placed the firearm in her carry-on bag.

Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and the travelers face a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

"This gun was intercepted at our checkpoint just three days before the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation," said John Busch, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "It doesn't matter what color your gun is-black, green, teal-they are all prohibited on planes. People who own firearms need to know where their guns are at all times. And 23 years after 9/11, everyone should know that you are not allowed to carry any weapons past our checkpoints. Our officers are good at what they do and everyone who works for TSA is very mindful of how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 impacted our nation."

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.

TSA firearms caught at TSA checkpoints at Reagan National Airport, 2018 to 2024

Bringing a firearm 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).