ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — On Feb. 12, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport say they prevented a Bedford County resident from bringing a loaded gun onto a flight.
The Bedford woman had a .380 caliber gun loaded with five bullets.
Security was alerted to the gun by the X-ray unit at a checkpoint. The firearm was removed from the carry-on bag after officers inspected it closer. Local police confiscated the gun and cited the woman on weapon charges.
The woman, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, also faces a civil penalty for bringing the gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The maximum penalty has recently increased to $15,000.
“Our TSA team at Roanoke perform their jobs exceptionally well with a keen focus on our mission,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “I hope this serves as a reminder to others in the area to search their carry-on bags before leaving home to ensure that there are no prohibited or illegal items inside. Better yet, start with an empty bag when packing. Any time dangerous items such as loaded guns are brought to a security checkpoint, it represents a serious security and safety concern.”
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Passengers can also download the free myTSA app, which has a “What can I bring?” feature, to help flyers determine if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither.
