Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Lynchburg Regional Airport prevented a Lynchburg man from bringing his gun onto a flight this morning, September 16. The 9mm firearm was loaded with four bullets.
The firearm was removed from the checkpoint and confiscated by the police, who cited the man on a weapons charge. TSA does not confiscate firearms; law enforcement officers do.
“Our officers intercepted this firearm five days after the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation. It was a day that the commemoration of that date was carried in every newspaper, television, radio and social media outlet,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Everyone should know that you cannot carry a loaded firearm or any other weapon on a plane. Never bring a gun to a checkpoint. Never!”
In addition to being criminally cited by police, the man also faces a stiff 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.
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. 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. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.