NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Security teams at two separate airports in Hampton Roads said they stopped two men from bringing loaded guns on flights over the weekend.
The first incident took place at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and the other one happened at Norfolk International Airport (ORF).
Lisa Farbstein, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said a man from Ohio had a .380 caliber handgun in his carry-on bag at the PHF checkpoint on Oct. 1.
Airport police confiscated the gun, which had six bullets in it.
Farbstein said the man told them he has the gun for protection while he works at a motel, and didn't realize he had it in his bag when he got to the airport.
She didn't share his name or his penalty for bringing the loaded gun through the airport.
Just a couple of days later, on Oct. 3, TSA at the Norfolk airport stopped a Virginia man who also had a .380 caliber handgun that was loaded with six bullets.
Officials said TSA confiscated the gun and the incident was sent to the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
If you do want to bring a gun on a flight, it has to be unloaded and packed separately from ammunition. The gun has to be in a locked case and sent as checked baggage.
You also have to let airport staff know you're transporting a gun when you get to the ticket counter.