TSA officers at Albany International Airport prevented a traveler from bringing this loaded handgun onto a flight on Aug. 15.
ALBANY, N.Y. – A Rensselaer County N.Y., resident was caught with a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Albany International Airport (ALB) yesterday, Aug. 15. The 9mm gun was loaded with five bullets.
When the TSA officer spotted the gun in the checkpoint X-ray machine, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office was alerted, came to the checkpoint and confiscated the weapon from the traveler, a resident of Johnsonville, N.Y. The man had a state gun permit, however he now faces a stiff federal financial penalty for bringing his gun to the airport. Federal penalties can reach as high as $15,000 for bringing a weapon to an airport checkpoint, depending on the circumstances.
“A gun owner who possess a New York State Pistol Permit should know the rules and not bring a loaded firearm to the checkpoint,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for airports in Upstate New York. “Not knowing where your handgun is at all times is inexcusable and dangerous to the travelling public,” he said.
“I am grateful to the alertness of the TSA officers who detected the firearm and prevented it from being introduced to the plane,” Johnson added. “Additionally, I would also like to thank the quick response and assistance provided by the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.”
Individuals who want to bring their guns with them when they fly need to pack them properly in their checked luggage, and declare them at their airline check-in counter to be transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to firearms during a flight. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Monday’s gun was the fourth one caught at the airport checkpoint so far this calendar year. Nationwide, TSA has prevented more than 3,000 guns from getting through security checkpoints so far this year. Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at 262 out of 430 airport security checkpoints nationwide. Eighty-eight percent of those guns were loaded.
TSA firearms catches at the checkpoint at Albany International Airport, 2021 to 2023
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (as of 8/15/23) |
|
Guns caught at ALB Airport checkpoint |
5 |
7 |
4 |
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because even though an individual may have a concealed carry permit, it does not allow for a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. If a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
TSA reminds passengers to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, either or neither. Travelers can use the “Can I Bring?” feature on the TSA website or on the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet to @AskTSA or send a text message (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance.