Norfolk, Va. – A Virginia Beach woman was caught with a loaded handgun at Norfolk International Airport on April Fool’s Day, according to TSA officials.
The woman was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at the Norfolk International Airport checkpoint when the TSA officers detected a loaded semi-automatic handgun in her carry-on bag early this morning, officials tell NewsChannel 3.
TSA officers detected the gun, which was loaded with seven rounds, including one in the chamber, in the woman’s carry-on bag as she was passing through the airport checkpoint. It was detected as it passed along the conveyor belt.
TSA officers immediately contacted the Norfolk Airport Authority Police, which responded, confiscated the gun and ammunition, and issued the woman a summons on a state weapons charge.
There was no impact to airport operations, TSA says. The woman was ticketed to fly to Charlotte.
Weapons—including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are not permitted in carry-on bags, but can be transported in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline. Passengers who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA.
