News

Actions

Norfolk woman stopped by airport security after forgetting about loaded gun in purse

Posted at 12:32 PM, Nov 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-16 12:32:45-05

orf-gun-11-15-16NORFOLK, Va. – A woman was stopped at the Norfolk International Airport security checkpoint on Tuesday after she left her loaded handgun in her purse.

A Transportation Security Administration officer staffing the checkpoint X-ray machine detected the gun and ammunition as the woman was passing through the checkpoint.

TSA officers immediately contacted the Norfolk Airport Authority Police, which responded to the checkpoint.

The woman, a Norfolk resident, told officials that she forgot she had her loaded .357 caliber handgun in her purse.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed in a hard-side case, locked, and packed separately from ammunition. Then the firearm must be taken to the airline check-in counter.

Tuesday’s incident marked the 11th gun that TSA officers detected at the airport so far this calendar year. There were 13 guns caught by TSA officers at the airport’s checkpoints in 2015.

RELATED: 

Man with loaded gun stopped at Norfolk airport

TSA stops man attempting to bring gun onto plane at Norfolk International Airport

TSA officers stop Norfolk airport passenger with loaded gun in carry-on for the second time in a week

TSA officers stop Virginia Beach man from boarding plane with loaded gun