RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – In 2015, seven firearms were stopped in the Richmond International Airport. This is the same number of firearms Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers stopped in 2014 and 2013.
All seven of the firearms found by TSA officers were found in carry-on bags. There were also two improperly packed and undeclared firearms discovered by TSA officers.
Only people who have the correct permits can legally travel with their firearms. All firearms must be correctly packed in their checked baggage.
“Weapons—including firearms, firearm parts and ammunition—are never permitted in carry-on bags, but they can be transported safely in checked bags if they are unloaded, properly packed and declared to the airline,” TSA Federal Security Director Chuck Burke said.
Firearms in checked baggage that are unloaded, locked, packed in a hard-side case and separate from ammunition are allowed to travel. Ammunition must be in the original box and is allowed to be packed next to the firearm, inside the hard-side case. The case with the firearm must be brought to the airline check-in counter. Then the firearms are placed inside checked baggage and put in the airplane.
Anyone who brings a firearm to a checkpoint is subject to criminal charges. TSA recommends that anyone traveling should look over the state and local firearm laws for each point of their travel before departure. This will help make sure they have all of the correct permits for any state they are traveling in. People may also contact airlines about their firearm policies because airlines may have additional requirements.
About two million passengers were screened at the Richmond International Airport by TSA officers in 2015. By using imaging technology and X-ray machines the TSA can safely screen for any prohibited items.
