Man stopped for loaded weapon at Huntington Tri-State Airport

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) –

On Thursday, a man was caught with a loaded gun at the security checkpoint at Huntington Tri-State Airport.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Kentucky man was stopped by TSA at the airport with a loaded 9mm pistol in his carry-on bag with six bullets, including one in the barrel.

TSA officers said they aborted the security screening process and notified police, who then confiscated the firearm, issued a citation to the man and allowed him to hand the weapon over to a non-traveling companion.

Carrying weapons into or through security checkpoints is not permitted. The man faces a heavy fine from the TSA. The fine for carrying weapons can be up to $15,000.

“It is disappointing that travelers continue to bring their firearms to our checkpoints instead of properly packing them for a flight,” said John C. Allen, TSA Federal Security Director for West Virginia. “If you plan to travel with your firearm, all we ask is that you properly pack it for a flight. It’s a fairly simple process. First, it must be unloaded. Pack the unloaded gun in a locking hard-shell case. Bring the case to the airline check-in counter and explain that you plan to fly with it. The airline will arrange for the gun to be transported to your destination in the belly of the plane so no one can access it during the flight. It’s really that simple.”

Click here for TSA details on properly traveling with a firearm.

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