A Georgia woman was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted a teal-colored gun with black floral designs on it among the woman’s carry-on items. The 9mm firearm was loaded with three gun magazines, totaling 30 bullets packed next to the gun.
When TSA officers intercepted the firearm and notified police, the Washington Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the weapon and issued her a criminal citation. The woman told officials that she mistakenly placed the firearm in her carry-on bag.
Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and the travelers face a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“This gun was intercepted at our checkpoint just three days before the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on our nation,” said John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “It doesn’t matter what color your gun is—black, green, teal—they are all prohibited on planes. People who own firearms need to know where their guns are at all times. And 23 years after 9/11, everyone should know that you are not allowed to carry any weapons past our checkpoints. Our officers are good at what they do and everyone who works for TSA is very mindful of how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 impacted our nation.”