ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – TSA Officers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport prevented a Washington State man from bringing a handgun onto a flight on Monday, Oct. 16.
According to TSA, offices detected a loaded 9mm handgun as the man entered the security checkpoint. The firearm was removed by police, who cited the man on a weapons charge.
“This was the fifth gun that our team has prevented from being carried into a plane so far this year. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “Our officers are vigilant and are focused on preventing weapons from getting onto an airplane. People who bring their guns to our checkpoints create a potentially dangerous situation through their own actions. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are and they know not to bring them to a checkpoint.”
The man will also face a stiff financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a TSA security checkpoint. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000 depending on the circumstance.
