ROANOKE, Va. – Transportation Security Administration officers at Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport prevented a Roanoke man from bringing his loaded gun on to his flight July 3, according to TSA.
10 News has learned that the .380 caliber firearm was loaded with six bullets.
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The handgun was found when the man entered the security checkpoint. The X-Ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, we’re told.
We’re also told, that after a closer inspection officials found the firearm and it was removed by police who confiscated the weapon.
The man faces a stiff financial penalty for a brining a loaded gun to a TSA security checkpoint.
“Bringing a loaded gun to an airport security checkpoint introduces an unnecessary security risk to our officers and to fellow travelers on what is one of the busiest travel days of the year,” said Robin Burke, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “We have no issues with people who pack their firearms properly for a flight. Bringing a loaded handgun isn’t the way to do it.”
The penalty for carrying weapons can reach as high as $15,000, depending on the circumstances, TSA said.