Each weapon was caught as the men entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bags and TSA officials notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police who came to the checkpoint, confiscated the guns and cited the men on weapons charges. The incidents were not related.

On Sunday the Florida resident was in possession of a 9mm handgun loaded with 12 bullets, including one in the chamber. The very next day, Monday, the Virginia resident was in possession of a .45 caliber handgun loaded with nine bullets.

“Our officers do an excellent job of maintaining the safety of all passengers.  It is disappointing to continue to see travelers bringing their guns to our security checkpoints,” said Scott T. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Let me be very clear on this point—you cannot carry a gun onto a plane. Even gun owners with a concealed carry permit or enrollment in the TSA PreCheck® program are not exempt from the no guns on planes policy. Bringing a loaded firearm to a security checkpoint not only slows down the individuals in that lane, but it is also a security and safety concern.”

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) | Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then 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.

In addition to the citation by airport police, this individual now faces a stiff financial civil penalty, and penalties for carrying a weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

Firearms are not permitted through a security checkpoint because passengers should not have access to a firearm during a flight. This even applies to travelers with concealed carry permits or are enrolled in the TSA PreCheck® program, who will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges if they bring a gun to a checkpoint.  Individuals who bring their gun to a security checkpoint also face a federal financial civil penalty.

Original source can be found here