An Alexandria woman was stopped by TSA at Reagan National Airport for attempting to bring a handgun onto her plane on Tuesday, a TSA spokesperson said.
When airport security detected the gun in the woman's carry-on, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department was notified and the gun was confiscated. It was loaded with six bullets, TSA said.
The woman told police that she forgot she had the gun with her. She was cited with weapon charges, TSA reported.
John Busch, TSA's Federal Security Director, explained that this was the 24th gun confiscated at Reagan National this year and applauded airport security for their work.
"This was the 24th gun that our officers have prevented from being carried onto a flight in 2022,” said Busch. “Everyone who travels should appreciate the amazing work our TSA officers do every day, keeping dangerous items off the aircraft. I am very proud of them and their continued focus on our mission."
Bringing a gun to airport security can lead to consequences as well, TSA explained. "Civil penalties for bringing a handgun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances."
Across the U.S., TSA officers detected 5,972 firearms at checkpoints last year -- about 86% were loaded.