CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Transportation Security Administration reports potential air passengers attempted to get 145 handguns through security checkpoints at airports across Virginia, which is a record year. TSA’s Lisa Farbstein says four Virginia airports broke their individual records in 2024… Reagan National at 41, Norfolk International with 34, Richmond International with 32, and Dulles with 29. This coming in a year when for the first time since 2021 when the pandemic gutted air passenger numbers, the number from one year to the next was down nationwide. Farbstein notes that decrease was very small, though, 6678 firearms seized at checkpoints in 2024 compared to 6737 in 2023. Of the guns siezed, 94-percent of them were loaded.

CHO saw the same number as last year at just one. That was an Indiana resident April 9 caught trying to bring a 9mm handgun through the checkpoint. Officers found it was loaded with eleven bullets. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection, at which time the TSA officers spotted the firearm.

Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. However, travelers with proper firearm permits can travel legally with their firearms in their checked bags if they follow a few simple guidelines.

Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. TSA advises travelers to familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure to ensure that they have the proper gun permits for the states that they are traveling to and from. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition so travelers should also contact the airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a locked hard-side case. Ammunition must be in its original box and can be packed inside the hard-side case, next to the firearm. Even if the box of ammunition is not full, the bullets must be in their original case. The case with the firearm should be brought to the airline check-in counter to be declared with the airline representative. Firearms are transported in the belly of the aircraft so that nobody has access to them during the flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its web site.

Individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $15,000.