TSA: Augusta man caught with handgun inside bag at Richmond International Airport

Bill Atkinson, The Progress-Index
·1 min read
On Dec. 1, 2022, Transportation Security Administration agents confiscated this gun from an Augusta County man after it showed up in his carry-on baggage
On Dec. 1, 2022, Transportation Security Administration agents confiscated this gun from an Augusta County man after it showed up in his carry-on baggage

RICHMOND — An Augusta County man is facing a weapons-violation charge after a gun was found last week inside his carry-on baggage at Richmond International Airport.

The incident happened Thursday, Dec. 1 as the man was going through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, according to a TSA news release. TSA agents spotted the handgun and two clips of ammunition in his carry-on bag and immediately notified RIC Airport Police.

TSA said the airport police confiscated the weapon and cited the traveler with a violation of attempting to carry a weapon onto an airplane.

His name was not released, but the TSA release said he was a resident of Swoope.

Federal law prohibits weapons in carry-on bags. According to the TSA webpage, a first-time violation can carry a fine of between $3,000 and $10,700, plus the offender gets a criminal referral. TSA can cite passengers for violations regardless of their concealed-weapon permit status.

The agency did not say if the person cited was a repeat offender.

Firearms are only allowed on planes if they are properly stored inside a passenger's checked baggage.

The handgun was the 20th seized at RIC Airport this year, according to TSA records.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: TSA catches Augusta man with handgun at Richmond airport checkpoint