Hampton man caught bringing gun to RIC checkpoint

Police cited a Hampton man at Richmond International Airport July 14 for bringing a .40-caliber revolver, a magazine with 12 rounds and an additional loose bullet in his carry-on bag to the TSA checkpoint.

TSA officials notified the airport police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the handgun and detained the man for questioning before citing him on a weapons charge.

“Even though there have been fewer travelers this year as a result of the pandemic, we are seeing an uptick in the number of guns that passengers are bringing to the checkpoint,” said Chuck Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Richmond International Airport. “Tuesday’s gun was the second one detected within a five-day span. Our officers continue to be focused on their mission during this time and they are very skilled at detecting firearms and other prohibited items.”

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided case, locked and packed separately from ammunition. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.

So far this year, police and TSA officials have stopped 11 guns at the TSA checkpoint at RIC. They stopped 14 all of last year and all of 2018.

Anyone who brings firearms to a security checkpoint is subject to possible criminal charges. The TSA also has the authority to assess financial civil penalties of up to $13,333 for weapons violations.

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