- The Washington Times - Monday, April 15, 2013

Security officers at Reagan Washington National Airport stopped a Virginia man from boarding a plane Friday after authorities discovered he was carrying a loaded gun.

A Transportation Security Administration, in a statement released Monday, said an officer operating a checkpoint X-ray machine spotted the firearm in the man’s carry-on bag. Airport police confiscated the .38 caliber handgun, loaded with 11 rounds, and cited him on a state weapons charge.

There was no impact to airport operations, and the Richmond man was permitted to catch his flight to Chicago without the gun and ammunition.

The TSA hasn’t released the man’s identity.

Travelers can be fined up to $11,000 if they are caught with prohibited items at airports. In 2012, TSA assessed more than $1.8 million in civil penalties for firearms discovered in passenger carry-on bags.

Airline passengers are allowed to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they’re properly packaged and declared. Firearms must be unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked and packed separately from ammunition.

• Sean Lengell can be reached at slengell@washingtontimes.com.

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