NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – TSA officers at the Norfolk International Airport stopped a loaded handgun from being brought onto a flight on Sunday.

According to officials, the handgun was loaded with eight bullets, including one in the chamber. This marks the ninth firearm intercepted from Norfolk TSA officers so far this year.

Local police removed the firearm from the North Carolina resident’s carry-on bag after being alerted by the X-ray unit. After confiscating the gun, the man was criminally cited on a weapons charge.

“It appears that this traveler had packed his firearm in a gun case, however, he needed just a few more important steps before he could travel with it,” TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport Robin Burke said. “He needed to ensure the firearm was unloaded, then taken the locked gun case to his airline to declare he wanted to fly with it. At that point, the airline representative would ensure that the firearm could be transported as checked baggage. Our TSA officers remain vigilant during this busy spring break travel season to help ensure everyone can travel safely.”

Firearms caught by TSA officers at Norfolk International Airport checkpoints, 2016 to 2024

In addition to being cited by police, the North Carolina man could also face a civil penalty of up to $15,000 for bringing a gun to a TSA checkpoint.

Passengers who wish to travel with firearms must ensure they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case, and then taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. More information on properly traveling with a firearm can be found here.