This firearm was detected in a carry-on bag at Newark Liberty International Airport on August 1. (TSA photo)
NEWARK, N.J. – A Tennessee man was arrested by police this morning (August 1), when Transportation Security Administration officers at Newark Liberty International Airport intercepted a firearm among the man’s carry-on items. The 9mm handgun was loaded with 17 bullets.
The TSA officer detected the handgun as the man’s carry-on items entered the checkpoint X-ray machine. Port Authority Police were alerted, confiscated the firearm and arrested the man, a resident of Old Hickory, Tenn.
“This individual told us that he took a bus to our area and was planning to fly to another destination from Newark,” explained Thomas Carter TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “When planning for a flight, individuals really need to pay attention to the items that they have inside their carry-on bags. Travelers are responsible for the contents of their bags. Part of being a responsible gun owner is knowing where your firearm is at all times. Bringing guns to checkpoints is a serious security violation.”
Carter praised the TSA officers for their good catch. “This summer has been the busiest period of travel that our agency has seen, and I commend our officers for remaining focused on the mission during this busy time.
In addition to his arrest, the man also faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty for bringing a gun to a security checkpoint. The penalty for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can cost as much as $15,000, depending on the circumstances.
TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and firearm parts with them at a checkpoint. This applies to individuals 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 firearm is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
TSA firearms catches at airport checkpoints at Newark Liberty International Airport, 2018 to 2024
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023
|
2024 (As of 8/1/24) |
|
Guns caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
20 |
11 |
Guns can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case and declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane. Additionally, replica firearms also are prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be transported in checked luggage.
TSA reminds people to always know the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to help 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.