NORFOLK, Va.—Transportation Security Administration officers at Norfolk International Airport confiscated a gun on Friday, January 22.
The loaded .45 caliber handgun, belonging to a Texas resident, was detected by the checkpoint X-ray machine. This is the second gun caught at the airport so far this month.
The Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney will handle this case, and the man faces possible criminal prosecution and penalty fees.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns with them at a checkpoint. Typically, penalty fees for this offenses range from $4,100 to as high as $13,669 depending on any mitigating circumstances.
The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Members of TSA PreCheck can lose their privileges, if they bring a loaded gun through checkpoint.
Laws vary from state to state, but passengers are permitted to travel with unloaded, locked, responsibly packaged firearms in checked baggage if they are properly packaged and declared at their airline ticket counter.
Find more info on how to properly travel with a firearm here. Travelers should also contact their airline ahead of time to learn about additional requirements.
