Maryland Woman Detained for Carrying Loaded Gun at Reagan National Airport

A recent security incident at Reagan National Airport involved a woman from Silver Spring, Maryland, who was found with a loaded gun in her carry-on luggage. The event, which unfolded on Thursday, August 8, has led to the woman facing potential fines and a criminal charge.

During a routine security check, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers detected a 9mm firearm loaded with six bullets, one of which was in the chamber. Airport police were promptly called to the scene, where they seized the weapon and issued a criminal citation to the woman.

John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport, expressed his concerns over the incident, emphasizing the dangers posed by firearms at airport security checkpoints. “It is troubling to see travelers continue to bring their firearms to our checkpoints instead of properly packing them for a flight,” Busch remarked. He highlighted the severe risks associated with unsecured, loaded firearms in such public settings.

This incident is part of a worrying trend at National Airport, marking the 26th firearm interception at its checkpoints in 2024 alone. The number of guns caught at TSA checkpoints has been on the rise, with 39 firearms intercepted in 2023, an increase from 29 in 2022 and 30 in 2021. This trend represents a significant jump from the 16 firearms intercepted in 2018.

The TSA enforces strict regulations regarding firearms at airports. Travelers found with firearms at checkpoints not only face criminal charges but also civil penalties that can reach up to $15,000. Firearms are strictly prohibited from passing through security checkpoints, regardless of the owner’s possession of a concealed carry permit.

Busch noted a common excuse among travelers caught with firearms, stating, “Nearly all the travelers we encounter with a firearm say, ‘I forgot it was there.’ That is very concerning.” He stressed the importance of travelers remembering to properly secure firearms when preparing for air travel.

The TSA has outlined specific guidelines for transporting firearms legally. Firearms must be unloaded and packed in a hard-sided, locked case. They must be declared at the airline check-in counter, ensuring they are transported safely in the cargo hold of the plane. Additionally, travelers caught with firearms may also face the revocation of TSA PreCheck privileges if they are participants in the program.

This ongoing issue underscores the need for heightened awareness and adherence to TSA regulations to ensure the safety and security of all airport travelers.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, arlnow.com