NORFOLK, Va. — A North Carolina man was cited after a loaded handgun was recovered from his carry-on bag at the Norfolk International Airport (ORF) on Sunday, officials said.
In a news release on Monday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said its officers were alerted to the firearm when it went through the X-ray machine at the security checkpoint. The handgun was loaded with eight bullets, according to officials.
Police confiscated the gun and cited the man on a gun charge. Along with the citation, the TSA said the man is facing a "stiff" fine for the incident. The case will be handed off to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney who will determine if criminal prosecution should be pursued.
“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.”
This is the ninth firearm discovered at ORF so far this year, and the second in less than a week. In 2023, ORF reported that 29 firearms were found at security checkpoints in the airport.
"Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage," according to a release from ORF. "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."
For more information about packing a firearm, visit TSA's website here.