Man is arrested by police after TSA intercepts a loaded handgun at Newark Liberty International Airport

###NEWARK, NJ – A Florida man was arrested by police after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted a loaded handgun in the traveler’s carry-on luggage at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, May 6. The .38 caliber revolver was loaded with four bullets.

When the TSA officer in Newark discovered the handgun in the checkpoint’s X-ray machine, Port Authority police were alerted, came to the Terminal C checkpoint, confiscated the gun and arrested the man on a federal firearms charge.

The man claimed he didn’t realize he was traveling with his loaded gun in his carry-on luggage.

In addition to being arrested, the person also faces a large federal civil fine if they bring a weapon to a security checkpoint. The fine for bringing a weapon to a TSA checkpoint can be up to $15,000, depending on the circumstances.

TSA reserves the right to impose a civil penalty on travelers found to be carrying weapons and weapon parts at a checkpoint. This applies to people with or without a permit to carry concealed weapons, because even if a person has a permit to carry concealed weapons, carrying a firearm on an aircraft is not permitted. The full list of civil penalties is published online. If a traveler with a weapon is a member of TSA PreCheck®, that person will lose their TSA PreCheck privileges.

“Travellers need to be more mindful of the items they have in their carry-on luggage,” said Thomas Carter, TSA federal security director for New Jersey. “Travellers are responsible for the contents of their hand luggage. Additionally, responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. I commend our officers for their success in preventing a person from boarding a plane with a loaded weapon.”

TSA firearm catches at airport checkpoints at Newark Liberty International Airport, 2018 to 2023

Weapons can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked hard case and registered with the airline. The airline ensures that the weapon is carried in checked baggage in the belly of the aircraft and never in the cabin of the aircraft. In addition, replica firearms are prohibited in carry-on baggage and must be carried in checked baggage.

“Before traveling, individuals planning to transport their firearm should do some homework and check the firearm regulations at their destination to ensure they are complying with all local and state laws,” Carter added.

Nationwide, TSA officers have prevented more than 5,000 weapons from passing through security checkpoints so far this year. Last year, 6,542 firearms were caught at checkpoints nationwide and the agency is on pace to break that record. Newark is part of this disturbing trend.

The TSA reminds people to always know the contents of their carry-on luggage before coming to security. TSA has several resources to determine whether an item is allowed in carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or neither. Travelers can use the “Can I bring with me?” feature. Feature on the TSA website or the free downloadable myTSA app. Travelers can also tweet @AskTSA or text (275-872) if they have a travel question or are unsure whether an item in their carry-on bag will be allowed through security. Just take a photo or send a question and get real-time support.

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