This firearm and ammunition were detected in a traveler’s carry-on bag by TSA officers at Newark Liberty International Airport on December 18. (TSA photo)
NEWARK, N.J. – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport intercepted a handgun at one of the security checkpoints on Wednesday, December 18, which tied the record at 20 guns caught in a single year.
The Bensalem, Pa., man was arrested by Port Authority Police after the .380 caliber gun, which was loaded with six bullets, was caught by TSA. Twelve additional accessible bullets were also detected in the man’s carry-on bag in two additional gun magazines.
“This individual told us that he did not realize that he had his loaded gun with him,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey. “If you own a firearm, you need to know where it is at all times. That’s a vital part of being a responsible gun owner. Not only was this individual arrested, but he now also faces a stiff federal financial civil penalty that could cost him thousands of dollars. That’s a very expensive mistake to make.”
Firearms caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints, 2018 to 2024
| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 (As of 12/18/24) |
| Guns caught at Newark Liberty International Airport checkpoints |
14 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
20 |
20 |
“I commend our officers for remaining vigilant during this busy travel time of year,” Carter added. “They are good at keeping prohibited and illegal items from passing through the airport checkpoints. They want to be sure travelers get to their destinations safely and get home safely and they’re doing a good job of it.”
The federal 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.
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.
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.