TSA Intercepts Loaded Firearm from Flight Crew Member at Reagan National Airport Security Checkpoint

[C0RI0LANUS]

A member of an airline flight crew was cited by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport intercepted a firearm among a flight crew member’s carry-on items at one of the checkpoints on Friday, 15 Nov. The 9mm handgun was loaded with nine bullets, including one in the chamber.

When TSA officers intercepted the firearm, they notified the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police who responded to the checkpoint, confiscated the gun and issued a citation to the woman. TSA also notified the airline of the serious violation.

Additionally, the woman faces a Federal civil penalty for bringing a loaded firearm to a TSA checkpoint. The Federal penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.

To transport a firearm for a flight, it must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided case and declared at the airline counter so it can be placed in the belly of the aircraft with the checked baggage.

In 2024, 36 firearms were confiscated at DCA.

Source:

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2024/11/18/tsa-intercepts-firearm-flight-crew-member-reagan-national-airport

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The scale of firearms ownership and custodianship in the US is simply breath-taking.

[Cha]

1. What was she thinking or Not. Did she not think

her Loaded Gun would be found at the Checkpoint?!

*Sigh*

[elleng]

2. 'member of an airline flight crew'

[Cha]

5. The Crazy is Everywhere!

[wnylib]

3. Why was the gun loaded and a bullet in the chamber?

Did she intend to use it in the flight? How did she expect to get past security?

[Cha]

4. Oh Yes, That raised my

eyebrows, too.

I hope we get more info on this down the line. It's Bizarre and very suspicious.

[ramedy]

7. Likely forgot it was in her carryon bag.

It happens. It will be a costly mistake for this crew member.

All crew members have to pass through TSA security just like passengers, they just use a separate line. There is no way she would think that a gun (loaded or unloaded) would go undetected.

[wnylib]

8. She carries it around with a bullet in the chamber?

[ramedy]

6. Some US flight crew members are armed.

They complete a highly regulated training course, and are permitted to carry a loaded weapon in the cockpit. They are not permitted to carry outside of the flight deck unless certain stringent procedures are followed.

It’s called the FFDO program. (Federal Flight Deck Officer) It was instituted after 9/11.

The weapon pictured is NOT the weapon that is issued to them. This crew member will likely be unemployed soon.