NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – TSA officers at the Norfolk International Airport (ORF) were able to prevent a Suffolk man from bringing a handgun onto a flight on Monday.
According to officials, the 9mm handgun was not loaded, but was packed alongside 13 accessible bullets.
TSA officers at ORF prevent two firearms from being brought on flights over the weekend
Officers with the Norfolk Airport Authority Police were able to confiscate the handgun, and the case will be forwarded to the Norfolk’s Commonwealth’s Attorney for possible criminal prosecution.
“This individual packed his firearm in a hard-sided case and removed the ammunition, but he brought it to the checkpoint instead of taking it to the airline check-in counter to be transported in the belly of the aircraft,” TSA’s Federal Security Director for ORF Robin “Chuck” Burke said. “He missed that crucial step. When individuals bring their firearms to our checkpoints, they are introducing a risk to everyone in the area and it also slows down the checkpoint screening process for other travelers because when a gun is detected, the checkpoint lane comes to a complete halt until police arrive and remove the firearm and traveler from the checkpoint.”