TSA officers at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport intercepted this loaded handgun at the security checkpoint on Wednesday, March 26. (TSA photo)
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Transportation Security Administration officers intercepted two loaded guns in a five-day span at the security checkpoint at Buffalo-Niagara International Airport (BUF), the most recent one detected yesterday, March 26.
A Grand Island, N.Y., man was stopped on Friday, March 21, with a 9mm handgun among his carry-on items. The gun was loaded with 13 bullets, including one in the chamber. A Williamsville, N.Y., man was stopped on Wednesday, March 26, with his 9mm firearm loaded with nine bullets, also including one in the chamber.
In both instances, TSA officials notified the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, who responded to the checkpoint and immediately took possession of the weapons. Due to the travelers possessing a valid New York State pistol permit, law enforcement cited them with a Notice of Violation on a weapons charge.
“In less than five days, our alert TSA officers prevented two guns from being carried onto airplanes, which would have introduced a threat to other travelers,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for airports in Upstate New York. “I would like to personally thank these dedicated TSA officers and the law enforcement officers from the NFTA Police who responded and took possession of the weapons and dealt with the travelers,” he added.
“It is difficult for me to understand how two individuals who hold New York State Pistol Permits did not know where their handguns were and as a result they brought them to a checkpoint, jeopardizing innocent people. The actions of these travelers were irresponsible and reckless, and they will be held accountable. Fortunately, the weapons were detected by our alert officers.”
Guns are not permitted to be carried into or through the security checkpoint and now in addition to the criminal citation, the men also face a stiff financial civil penalty from TSA. The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000.
Firearms intercepted by TSA at the BUF Airport checkpoint, 2015 to 2024 (as of 3/26/25)
Year | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Guns at BUF checkpoint | 2 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.
Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality and gun owners have a duty to ensure they are not violating any local firearm laws. Additionally, contacting the respective airline could reveal any additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.
Bringing a gun to an airport checkpoint carries a federal civil penalty because TSA reserves the right to issue a civil penalty to travelers who have guns and gun parts with them at a checkpoint. Civil penalties for bringing a gun into a checkpoint can stretch into thousands of dollars, depending on mitigating circumstances. This applies to travelers with or without concealed gun carry permits because a concealed carry permit does not allow a firearm to be carried onto an airplane. The complete list of civil penalties is posted online. Additionally, if a traveler with a gun is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that individual will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.
Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).