NORFOLK, Va. — TSA officers stopped a Suffolk man from bringing his gun onto a flight at Norfolk International Airport on Monday, Aug. 12.
Officers say the 9mm handgun was not loaded, but was packed alongside 13 accessible bullets.
This comes just one week after two loaded guns were brought to Norfolk International Airport in what officials say were two separate incidents.
RELATED: Man, woman face weapons charge after bringing loaded gun to Norfolk International Airport: officials
As of Monday, Aug. 12, 23 guns have been stopped at Norfolk International Airport this year. That's compared to 2023's record high of 29.
The gun was removed from the TSA checkpoint and confiscated by Norfolk Airport Authority Police. The case will now be forwarded to the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
In addition to being criminally cited by police, the man now faces a financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000 depending on the circumstances.
"This individual packed his firearm in a hard-sided case and removed the ammunition, but he brought it to the checkpoint instead of taking it to the airline check-in counter to be transported in the belly of the aircraft," said Robin "Chuck" Burke, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "He missed that crucial step. When individuals bring their firearms to our checkpoints, they are introducing a risk to everyone in the area and it also slows down the checkpoint screening process for other travelers because when a gun is detected, the checkpoint lane comes to a complete halt until police arrive and remove the firearm and traveler from the checkpoint."
TSA reminds travelers that passengers are only permitted to travel with guns in checked baggage. Guns must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. That case must be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared.
TSA has more details on how to properly travel with a gun on its website. If you have further questions, you can contact the airline you are traveling with for any additional requirements on traveling with guns and ammunition.
