Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz was charged last Friday with a weapons violation at Dulles International Airport in Virginia — one of the world’s largest hubs.
According to Spartz’ spokesperson, the Indiana Republican “accidentally carried an empty handgun in her suitcase with no magazine or bullets, which she did not realize was in the pocket of her suitcase, while going through security at Dulles airport.”
While not confirming Spartz’s involvement specifically, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stated that officers detected an unloaded .380 caliber firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag during screening last week.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that Spartz was charged, issued a citation, but allowed to proceed with her flight.
It is a misdemeanor offense to “possess or transport” guns in airport terminals in Virginia. According to the TSA, airline passengers can travel with guns, but the weapons need to be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline and placed in the passengers’ checked baggage.
The incident occurred as Spartz was preparing to travel internationally for a meeting with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.
First elected in 2020, Spartz announced in 2023 she would not seek reelection before reversing her decision. Spartz fended off eight Republican challengers to win her primary in May.