RIC ties its record for guns found by TSA in 1 year

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials at Richmond International Airport in Henrico County are urging travelers to leave their guns at home — or at least in a checked bag — after the airport’s record for guns found in security in a year was reached just over eight months into 2024.

TSA officers at RIC intercepted a 9mm handgun, which was loaded with 22 bullets including one in the chamber, among a traveler’s carry-on luggage on Sunday, Sept. 1. The man who bought the gun faces a fine that could be as high as $15,000.

The gun was the 24th firearm found by TSA officials at the airport so far in 2024, tying the record the airport set in 2022. TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said it’s unacceptable for gun owners to constantly try to bring loaded weapons onto flights.

“It’s very disappointing that people who own firearms are being careless and reckless with their firearms, because most of these individuals tell us they forgot they have their gun with them,” Farbstein said. “If you own a firearm, you need to know where it is always — it’s part of being a responsible gun owner.”

With four months remaining in the year, Farbstein said RIC’s security agents are sure to encounter more weapons and urges people to travel with their firearms in checked bags. This will not only stop delaying themselves, but other passengers trying to make it to their flights on time.

“Make sure it’s unloaded and that it’s packed in a hard-sided case,” Farbstein said. “You lock the case, then take that unloaded gun in a locked hard-sided case to your airline checking counter.”

TSA has more information on rules for bringing firearms onto flights here .

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