The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has warned that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is on track to break the record number of firearms captured at security checkpoints.
As a result, the federal watchdog has reminded travelers in the area about the negative effects of accidentally leaving your weapon in your carry-on bag.
The TSA reported that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport could beat its previous record of the number of firearms intercepted in a year.
Last year, the Virginia airport intercepted a total of 39 firearms, which is the standing record.
However, in the past week, two firearms were captured at airport security checkpoints.
The first occurred on December 1st, coincidentally the busiest day in TSA history, and the second on December 5th.
These marked the 37th and 38th firearms of this year, and with roughly a month left, TSA officials believe that it's only a matter of time before the 39th and 40th interceptions occur.
Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, told WTOP News what happens when security officers find a firearm:
“When TSA officers do intercept a firearm at a checkpoint, what happens is, the checkpoint lane comes to a stop. The conveyor belt is turned off. We contact the police. The police have to comment.”
Once the police are involved, they will decide if you are criminally charged or will face a federal civil citation.
Farbstein encourages passengers to turn their bags inside out and empty them completely to ensure that they don’t inadvertently come through a security checkpoint with a firearm, as the consequences could be severe.
Traveling with firearms at airports in the US is legal thanks to the 2nd Amendment rights. However, gun owners must take precautions when traveling with their weapons.
They should also note that different states and countries have different regulations for traveling with firearms, and travelers should be aware of these laws.
Firearms can only be transported in checked luggage and must be packed in a locked, hard-sided container to completely secure them from being accessed.
The same goes for ammunition. Locked cases that can be easily opened are prohibited. Passengers should note that the container the firearm was purchased in may not meet the requirements of the TSA.
Firearms being transported must not be loaded. If they are, the traveler could be charged and fined. In addition, the firearm and ammunition must not be accessible to the passenger.
If both are accessible, the TSA considers the firearm loaded.
Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in secure areas of airports, and in the cabin of aircraft, regardless of whether the passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction.
If a passenger is found violating these regulations, they could be subject to civil penalties of up to $15,000. The TSA will confiscate the firearm, and the passenger will also lose TSA precheck eligibility.
For the first offense, the passenger will forego PreCheck eligibility for five years and be permanently banned from the program for the second offense.
