A Henrico, Va., man was cited by police on Saturday, May 25, after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Richmond International Airport intercepted a loaded gun among the traveler’s carry-on items. The .380 caliber firearm, loaded with six bullets, was detected during the security screening process.
“It has been a very busy Memorial Day holiday travel period here at Richmond International Airport as well as other airports across the country,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. The TSA officers screened a record 9,857 passengers at the Richmond airport checkpoints on Thursday, May 23, surpassing the previous record of 9,711.
Despite the high volume of travelers, TSA officers remained vigilant and alert in their duties. “Our officers are good at their jobs and even with sky-high checkpoint volume, they remain alert and vigilant in screening individuals who are arriving at our checkpoints,” Burke continued. “I commend our officers on their good catch in preventing an individual from boarding a plane with a loaded firearm.”
The handgun was discovered as the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted TSA officials to the carry-on bag, prompting a closer inspection. Richmond Airport Police responded, confiscating the firearm and citing the man on a weapons charge. It is important to note that TSA does not confiscate firearms; that responsibility lies with law enforcement.
In addition to being criminally cited, the man faces a substantial financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach up to $15,000, depending on the circumstances. This incident underscores the importance of following TSA regulations to ensure the safety and security of all passengers.
