charleston, w.va. – A Huntington woman was stopped by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at West Virginia International Yeager Airport on Saturday, April 13, with a loaded firearm among her carry-on items. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 19 bullets, including one in the chamber.
TSA officers halted the screening process and immediately notified the police, who responded to the checkpoint and confiscated the gun. TSA does not confiscate guns, law enforcement does. Police also cited the woman on a weapons charge.
Guns are not permitted to be carried into or through the security checkpoint and now the suspect also faces a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
“Firearms are not permitted to be carried through security checkpoints and onto planes,” John C. Allen, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “It does not matter if the firearm is loaded or unloaded.”
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 should 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.
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. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits. A concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane.
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