TSA intercepts firearm from flight crew member
November 22, 2024
A flight crew member was stopped by police after TSA officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport discovered a loaded 9mm handgun in her carry-on bag on November 15.
The firearm, containing nine bullets, one in the chamber, was intercepted at a security checkpoint.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police confiscated the weapon, issued a citation, and informed the airline of the violation.
The crew member faces federal penalties, with fines for carrying weapons through TSA checkpoints reaching up to $15,000.
“This was a good catch on the part of our TSA officers as it addressed a possible insider threat situation,” explained John Busch, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport.
“Individuals who work on the secure side of airports and on board aircraft, whether they are members of the flight crew, work at retail shops, work for airlines, or are contractors of a company that does business at the airport are not allowed to bring prohibited items onto the secure side of the airport or onto a flight, especially firearms.
“We are always on alert for any employees who may have possible bad intentions, which could possibly represent a threat to aviation security.
“This was an excellent catch on the part of our officers,” Busch added. “Members of flight crews are subject to security screening, as are travellers.”
