ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A Monroe County, Pennsylvania, man was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) on Monday, Nov. 26 when they detected a loaded gun in the man’s carry-on bag. The Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, resident was stopped at the checkpoint with the .40 caliber handgun, which was accompanied by two magazines loaded with 16 more bullets.
It marked the seventh gun that TSA officers have caught at the checkpoint so far this year. In 2017, TSA officers at ABE Airport caught four firearms at the checkpoint during all 12 months of the year.
When an individual shows up at a checkpoint with a firearm, the checkpoint lane comes to a standstill until the police resolve the incident. With the busy travel season in full swing, guns at checkpoints can delay travelers from getting to their gates.
As a reminder, individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement. Even travelers with concealed carry permits are not allowed to bring guns past TSA checkpoints. In addition, TSA has the authority to access civil penalties of up to $13,000. A typical first offense for carrying a handgun into a checkpoint is $3,900. The complete list of penalties is posted on tsa.gov.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted online. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition. Travelers should also contact their airline regarding firearm and ammunition carriage policies.