Third gun of 2021 stopped at RIC
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Transportation Security Administration officials stopped the third gun at a Richmond International Airport checkpoint March 11.
A King William County man attempted to bring a .22-caliber handgun loaded with 11 bullets among his carry-on items at the security checkpoint that morning.
TSA alerted airport police, who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the handgun and cited the man on a weapons charge. The man told officials that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him.
“It’s inexcusable to bring a loaded gun to a checkpoint. You will be caught,” said TSA Federal Security Director for the airport Chuck Burke. “The police will be notified and you could be subject to criminal charges. Additionally, I can assure you that this individual now faces stiff federal financial civil penalties that can cost him thousands of dollars.”
TSA has the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Those can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances.
Penalties apply to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits, because firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck, that person will lose his or her PreCheck privileges.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
