Two men have been cited on weapons charges after they were stopped with handguns at the Richmond International Airport on Monday, according to a press release sent out by airport officials.
The incidents are not believed to be connected, according to an airport press release.
The first man from Blacksburg, Va., whose name has not been released, was stopped by TSA officers after he tried to pass through a security checkpoint with a 9mm pistol in his carry-on bag.
The pistol was loaded when it went through the checkpoint’s x-ray security screening. TSA agents discovered 15 rounds in the handgun.
The second man, a Floridian whose name and city has not been released, was stopped by TSA officers after he tried to pass through a security checkpoint with a .38 caliber revolver in his carry on bag, the release said.
The revolver was unloaded when it went through the checkpoint’s x-ray security screening, according to the release. There were 11 loose rounds of ammunition in the man’s carry-on bag.
“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to passengers is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items,” the release said.
TSA agents contacted airport police in each instance, who took the gun and cited each man on weapons charges, according to the release.
According to TSA guidelines, firearms, firearm parts and ammunition cannot be transported in carry-on baggage, but can be transported in checked bags if the firearm is unloaded, secured and declared to the airline.
Travelers who bring such items to a security checkpoint can be subject to criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties up to $12,000.
