WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said officers intercepted 145 handguns at Virginia airport security checkpoints in 2024, the most guns ever detected in a single year.
All the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints, it said.
Four airports in Virginia set records for the most guns caught at their checkpoints in a year — Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (41), Richmond International Airport (32), Norfolk International Airport (34) and Washington Dulles International Airport (29).
Nationwide, TSA officers detected 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2024, up from 6,737 in 2023. Of the guns caught in 2024, TSA said approximately 94% were loaded.
“It was disappointing to continue to see so many travelers continue to bring their firearms to our security checkpoints,” said John Busch, TSA Federal Security Director for Reagan National Airport. “If someone wants to transport their firearm to their destination, all that we ask is that they pack it properly, so that nobody has access to it during a flight.”
“I commend our officers across the state for their continued focus on the mission,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Dulles International Airport. “They come to work every day, weekends, holidays on multiple shifts to ensure that people get to their destinations safely and this is a testament to the good work that they perform every day.”
TSA officials said they are “very concerned” that the majority of individuals with firearms at checkpoints claim that they forgot that their gun was in their carry-on bag, creating an “unnecessary security risk in the checkpoint environment” and noting “responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times.”
Penalties for bringing a firearm to a TSA checkpoint vary depending on the jurisdiction. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is a criminal act to bring a firearm to the checkpoint.
“We saw almost double the number of guns intercepted at our Richmond checkpoints in 2024 compared to 2023,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA Federal Security Director for southern Virginia airports. “Additionally, we saw an uptick in the number of guns people brought to our Norfolk checkpoints. Gun owners need to pay closer attention to the contents of their carry-on bags to ensure that they are not bringing a firearm to our checkpoints. Even if someone has a concealed permit to carry a firearm, it does not mean you can bring it into the cabin of a plane.”
Travelers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA. Even with a concealed weapon permit, firearms are not permitted to be carried onto an airplane. Travelers with proper firearm permits can travel legally with their firearms in their checked bags if they follow the guidelines.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality, and 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.
It added that 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.
According to TSA, 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 an 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 website.
Individuals who bring weapons to a checkpoint are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $15,000, according to TSA. The complete list of penalties is posted online. In addition to civil penalties, individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will have their Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked.
TSA encourages travelers to use the “What Can I Bring?” feature on its website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Travelers need only snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance, TSA said.