TSA officers prevent man from bringing loaded handgun onto a flight at Roanoke Airport

ROANOKE, Va. - Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport prevented a Blue Ridge, Va., man from bringing his loaded gun past the security checkpoint on Thursday, April 18.

The 9mm firearm was loaded with 15 bullets including one in the chamber.

The handgun was detected as the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection by TSA officials. The firearm was removed by the police, who confiscated the weapon. TSA does not confiscate firearms caught at checkpoints, law enforcement does.

The man now 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.

"Bringing a loaded gun with a bullet in the chamber to an airport security checkpoint introduces an unnecessary security risk to our officers and to fellow travelers," said Robin "Chuck" Burke, TSA's federal security director for the airport. "This individual had a firearm permit and individuals with permits should have a much better understanding of how to safely secure a firearm for a flight."

Last year TSA officers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport intercepted five firearms at the security checkpoints. Wednesday's gun catch was the second of 2024.

Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. 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.

Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy "What can I bring?" feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872).