ROANOKE, Va. – A Bedford County man tried to bring a loaded gun onto a flight on Dec. 26, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
On Tuesday, Dec. 26, a Moneta man was going through a checkpoint when his carry-on items were flagged in the X-ray unit, officials said.
TSA officers asked if he had a gun, and the man denied having it until police opened the bag and found a 9-millimeter handgun.
We’re told the gun was loaded with five bullets, including one in the chamber.
The man, who was not identified, then said he usually carries the gun when he’s on his way to work, but forgot that he had it with him when he was headed to his flight.
TSA officials said the man was cited and now faces a civil penalty for bringing a gun to the TSA security checkpoint, which can be as costly as $15,000.
“The fact that this individual claimed that he routinely carries a gun and then denied it when specifically asked by our officers if there was a gun in his carry-on bag is outrageous,” said Robin “Chuck” Burke, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport.
Burke went on to say that the man also had a knife in his belongings.
“This was a careless and irresponsible act on the part of the traveler. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are and they know not to bring them to a checkpoint.”
Travelers said they were surprised to hear of the incident.
“It’s nerve-wracking, that’s the first I’ve heard of it,” one traveler said. “We were going to be blissfully ignorant and just go in, get our flight.”
But they say they’re thankful for TSA agents.
“The X-ray machines are doing their job, the workers are doing their job,” traveler Maggie Longwill said. ”It’s greatly appreciated, and it’s not going to sway me from coming back and forth.”
The Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport released a statement about the incident which said, “Safety and security remain our top priority. The airport continues to partner with TSA to educate the public through announcements, signage, and other outreach activities around the importance of double-checking the contents of your bag and not approaching the checkpoint with a weapon.”
TSA said last year over 6,500 guns were found nationwide at a TSA checkpoint. This marks at least the sixth found at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport this year.
You can read TSA’s guidelines for traveling with a firearm here.