DULLES, Va. — Two men were stopped from bringing loaded handguns on flights at Dulles International Airport within two days apart, according to Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
TSA said one man was from Florida while the other was from Virginia. The incidents happened on Sunday, April 23, and Monday, April 24.
Each weapon was caught as the men entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray machine alerted the carry-on bags. TSA officials informed the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police who came to the checkpoint, took the guns and cited the men on weapons charges. The two incidents were not connected.
The Florida man had a 9mm handgun loaded with 12 bullets, including one in the chamber, during his Sunday visit to the airport. The Virginia resident was in possession of a .45 caliber handgun loaded with nine bullets, according to TSA.
Guns confiscated at Dulles Airport
So far this year, nine guns have been confiscated at the Dulles Airport. TSA said in 2022, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.